Development work on a standard Riley chassis by engineers/drivers, J G Parry Thomas and Reid Railton so inspired the Riley Board that they sanctioned the designing and building of a two-seater sports car, designated the ‘Brooklands’.

Railton himself drove the prototype to victory at 91.37mph in its first race at Brooklands in 1927, setting the fastest lap at an impressive 98.62mph.

‘The Brooklands’ featured the well tried and tested four-cylinder, pushrod-operated, twin camshaft engine, displacing 1,087cc.

‘The Brooklands’ model featured increased compression ratio, stronger valve springs and twin SU carburettors.

The chassis was lowered to carry sleek two-seater coachwork and shortened to 8ft to reduce weight and improve road holding.

‘The Brooklands’ dominated the 1100cc class in international competition.

Six cylinder ‘Brooklands’ and MPH models followed, and from these developed the next generation of 9hp, four-cylinder sports cars – the Imp.

The Imp’s chassis featured a 7ft...