Description

1954 Riley RME

SOLD £6,223

Current owners since 1998; restored in 1995 including rebuilt engine and only lightly used since; nice transferable number

Riley's four-seater 1.5-litre RMA Saloon was introduced in 1945 with low, streamlined styling and an opulent interior designed to appeal to the more discerning motorist. The cars were built on separate chassis assemblies with unstressed, ash-framed steel panelwork and a fabric-covered roof. Power came from a 1,496cc overhead valve four-cylinder engine with twin camshafts, mounted high in the cylinder block. Producing 54bhp, it propelled the car to a top speed of 75mph. The running gear was advanced for its time with rack-and-pinion steering and torsion bar independent front suspension. In 1951 the RMA was replaced by the RME, essentially the same car, but with open prop shaft, hypoid axle, fully hydraulic brakes and a larger rear window. Noted for its outstanding handling, the RME was summed up by Motor magazine as follows: "With its many traditional British features, its good road manners and its excellent build quality and finish, the latest Riley will appeal to discerning drivers whose taste runs to an individual car of very pleasing up-to-date line." By 1954 it had lost its running boards and gained rear wheel spats, the model continuing in production until the arrival of the new Riley One-Point-Five in 1955. As the original buff logbook confirms, NNP 110 was first registered in Worcestershire in July 1954 and was acquired by our vendor’s family way back in 1975 to join a collection of choice vintage cars. An invoice on file shows that it was treated to a major restoration in 1995 by Coach House Garage of Telford which cost over £2,300 (those were the days!). This included a rebuilt engine with new +020 pistons etc; a complete new clutch kit; overhaul of the brakes, steering and suspension; refurbishment of the wooden frame; new wiring; new screen rubbers front and rear; a full interior retrim with mulberry leather seat covers; a full repaint; rechromed brightwork plus much else besides. Imagine what that lot would cost today? Always kept garaged, it has only been lightly used over the past 45 years, old MOTs showing that it covered fewer than 200 miles between 2008 and 2014. Virtually unused in the last five years, it nevertheless started easily and ran well enough as we moved it around for these photos. The doors fit nicely with no drooping and the paint/bodywork has held up well in most areas with just a few little bubbles starting at the base of the right hand doors and the top of the left hand windscreen pillar, as visible in the photos. On offer here from a deceased estate at a very modest guide price, it would doubtless benefit from some precautionary recommissioning before any long journeys are undertaken. The icing on the cake is the NNP 110 number plate which is transferable and will have a not insignificant value of its own.

For more information please contact James Dennison on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com