Riley "RM" Series

These cars were outstanding while they were current models from 1946 to 1955, and the passage of time has not affected their precise road-holding and elegant lines, nor the enthusiasm of the current generation of their owners. While not Riley thoroughbreds in the sense of their pre-war ancestors, they are essentially coachbuilt cars, hand-finished to a high standard, and both 1½ and 2½-Litre models use the famous Riley twin-cam engine. I've had a series of them since I was a teenager and have learnt my way around them pretty thoroughly as a result.

Below I've shown a brief sample of the RM Series work which I've done.

1950 2½ Litre RMB

  • Engine work to cure bad starting and horrid noises
  • Fixed terrifying brakes; hydraulics, linkages, linings
  • Flashing indicators fitted, indicator switch fixed
  • Service, MoT, then drove it 60 miles home

Unreliability had caused this 2½ to be laid up. With the faults fixed the car gave a thoroughly nice drive and performed beautifully.

1954 1½-Litre RME

  • Rebuilt engine, which had a holed piston. New pistons, bearings, valves, water pump...
  • Cured noisy gear changing due to a broken shaft
  • Adjusted, mended, finessed all round
  • Sent it home running quietly with a new MoT

This handsome late-model RME could barely drag itself along due to the internal problems in the engine!

1953 1½-Litre RME

  • Engine work due to blown head gasket
  • Fixed various interior and body defects
  • Got non-working dashboard controls operational
  • Organised colour change with local paint sprayer

Once essential engine work was done I worked with a trusted paint specialist to get the car looking good as well as running well.

1952 1½-Litre RMA

  • Fixed seized-up brakes
  • Fitted new wiring loom
  • Fitted interior trim panels and headlining
  • A whole host of detail jobs, followed by MoT

The car was at the end of a many-year rebuild and needed a final push to get fully roadworthy.

 

My RM Experience

While I can't claim to be an expert in everything, over many years of Riley RM ownership I have learnt how to deal with most of the things which can go wrong whether due to neglect, sloppy work in the past, or simply old age and wear. Starting with a 1947 1½-Litre which I drove for twenty years (with several engine rebuilds and a body restoration on the way), I've owned four 1½-Litres and three 2½-Litres over a span of forty years. As a result I have first-hand knowledge of:

  • Engine: strip and rebuild to deal with valves, pistons, big ends etc.
  • Transmission: gearbox, differential, halfshaft and hub seal replacement
  • Chassis: steering, suspension bushes, exhaust replacement
  • Electrics: wiring, charging and ignition systems, flashing indicators
  • Body: structural timber, roof covering, door fitting, interior trim

Mind you: I'm so involved working on customers' cars that our own very sound and mostly original RMA hardly gets a look-in, a case of "the cobbler's children's shoes". So here it is, it deserves a mention. It may be a bit rattly, but it's a great car.