The 'Willy Oosten' Imp . (UPDATE: engine changes)

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This Imp is now in Denmark but for a long time it used to be owned by the Dutch Rally driver Willy Oosten from Amsterdam. In pre war days Willy entered the Monte Carlo Rally with an MG J2 several times. Right after the war he used this Riley for rallies and sports car races during the 1950’s. Races in Holland often had a Le Mans Start. Willy liked bending the rules a bit making him always being first off the grid. He managed this by fitting an outboard starter switch so he could start the Riley while he was still climbing behind the wheel. The pre selector gearbox which included a centrifugal clutch was already engaged in first and second gear pre selected. Once behind the wheel he only had to press the accelerator pedal to move off quickly in first gear. A quick dab on the gearbox pedal shot the gearbox in second not to be beaten by anybody for a long time.
Its current owner (since 22 years) Henrik Schou-Nielsen from Denmark is wondering if anybody can add a bit to the Willy Oosten history. It was obviously built for export as it was fitted originally with a speedo in kilometres rather then miles "and extended rear wings as per Dutch rules". Any bit of history is welcome at [email protected] (text Bas de Voogd)
UPDATE by Jan Cohen:"Being dutch and from Amsterdam I of course knew Willy Oosten and the Imp very well. I know the engine was no longer the original nine but replaced long ago by a 1.5 litre Riley. I saw the car many times at his garage Ceintuurbaan, Amsterdam and at Zandvoort. And old danish friend of mine, also a Riley fanatic is certainly able to tell the present owner more about the car.His name is Bo Bonfils, the rather famous designer."

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