Riley 2½ Litre RMB

Key facts

Year

1948
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

2,443cc
Cylinders

4 cylinder
Valves

Overhead valve
Output

100bhp at 4,500rpm (this car tuned for 120bhp at 4,500rpm)
Performance

0 – 60mph 15.2 seconds (in standard tune)
Price new

£1,125
Owner

National Motor Museum Trust
Manufacturer

Riley (Coventry) Ltd

This is a unique example of the Riley RM series. Exported to Switzerland when new, it received a number of body modifications by specialist coachbuilder Reinboldt & Christé AG of Basle, the only Riley saloon to be modified by them in this way. In 1955 it was shipped to New Zealand and sold to Mr Pat Welch. Mr Welch and his son James competed with the car successfully in numerous hill climbs and races until 1960. It was sold in 1970 but subsequently bought back by Mr Welch in 1985 and rebuilt to the condition you see today.

Riley’s elegant RM series first appeared in 1946 with the 1½ litre RMA and 2½ litre RMB saloons. Over the following years these were joined by roadster (RMC) and drophead coupe (RMD) versions, built on the same chassis as the RMB.