1951 Riley 2.5L

Riley RM (Saloon), 1945-1955

The Riley RM was in production from 1945-1955. Styled in house, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive saloon range seating up to 4 adults.

The RM was the last independently-designed Riley model, launched initially as a single 1.5 litre variant now known as the RMA. Launched in August 1945, it used independent torsion bar front suspension and a wood frame for its bodyshell. A year later, an elongated variant arrived with a larger 2.5 litre engine, now known as the RMB. Both models were intended as replacements for the pre-war Kestrel saloons. If not next to each other to determine length, a 1.5 and 2.5 litre RM can be differentiated by the badges - dark blue for a 1.5, light blue for a 2.5. Both models were replaced in 1952 with new cars, featuring enlarged rear windows and improved final drive ratios. The RMA was replaced by the RME, the RMB by the RMF.

So what were the RMC and RMD? Both were low volume open models based upon the 2.5 litre RMB - the RMC was a three seat open roadster in the classic tradition, built from 1948-1951. The RMD was an elegant open four seat tourer, built from 1949-1951 and again based upon the RMB model.

Production of the RMF ceased in 1953 after just one year, as the newly formed BMC launched a new executive car - the RMH, better known as the Pathfinder. At this time the RME received a facelift, removing its running boards and reshaping its wings. It would continue to 1955, not formally replaced until the launch of the Wolseley 1500-based Riley One Point Five of 1957.

The best competition for the 2.5 litre models is to be found in the shape of the Rover P4 and the Humber Hawk, both sensible and stolid saloons targeted at similarly affluent buyers as the RM. The RMA and RME are harder to classify owing to their engine size. Perhaps the Sunbeam Talbot 90 might be considered an alternative despite its engine size, or the smaller and smaller engined MG YB? Perhaps Wolseley's MG-engined 4/50 would have been considered, though it was seen as a less sporting proposition.