1949 Riley RMB | The Summer Serenade Auction | 18th July

The Riley RM is an executive car produced from 1945 until 1955. It was the last model developed independently by Riley, prior to the 1952 merger of Riley's still new owner Nuffield with Austin, to form BMC. There were three types of RM vehicles produced. All used Riley engines with four cylinders in-line, hemispherical combustion chambers and twin camshafts mounted high at the sides of the cylinder block. The RMA was a large saloon and was replaced by the RME. Both used a 1.5 litre (1496 cc) 12hp, developed before WWII. The RMB was a longer car, and it was replaced by the RMF, both cars used a larger engine, new in 1937, a 2.5 litre 16hp ‘Big Four’. The Riley RM is an executive car produced from 1945 until 1955. It was the last model developed independently by Riley, prior to the 1952 merger of Riley's still new owner Nuffield with Austin, to form BMC. There were three types of RM vehicles produced. All used Riley engines with four cylinders in-line, hemispherical combustion chambers and twin camshafts mounted high at the sides of the cylinder block. The RMA was a large saloon and was replaced by the RME. Both used a 1.5 litre (1496 cc) 12hp, developed before WWII. The RMB was a longer car, and it was replaced by the RMF, both cars used a larger engine, new in 1937, a 2.5 litre 16hp ‘Big Four’.

This Riley RMB is presented in Primrose Yellow over black. It is one of the last cars built by Riley in the Coventry factory and referred to as one of a few crossover vehicles, for which the specification varied from the 'norm' including combining the older style sweeping dash with the newer wooden window surrounds. In long-term ownership from 1965 to 2016, during which time an extensive re-commissioning was carried out over a two year period including, but not limited to fuel tank clean and new fuel lines, new electric fuel pump and filter, radiator re-core, new bearing and seals on water pump, rear springs refurbished, new poly bushes and bump stops, new Austone tyres, new stainless steel exhaust, brakes overhauled with new brake pipes, flexi hoses and wheel and master cylinder refurbishment.

Since 2018 significant expenditure has been spent concentrating on the presentation of the vehicle prior to our vendors ownership, at that time work completed includes, but not limited to bare metal respray, re-chroming, new nearside sill, new A-posts, new wooden frame to roof, new vinyl roof covering, woodwork in doors repaired/ replaced, new headlining, new carpets, leather seats treated and all internal timber refurbished. This really is a stunning vehicle, which is now looking for its next custodian to enjoy and benefit from all the work carried out. There is lots of history in the file detailing and confirming the works carried out over the years, along with the original buff handbooks and manuals for what is a wonderful example. Consigned by Mathew Priddy