Lot details Registration No: 148 YUH Chassis No: 602S6346 Mot Expiry: Sept 2012
The RM Series cars were the last 'proper' Rileys - the swansong of the marque before it was subsumed into the mighty British Motor Corporation. The model range was manufactured in Coventry until 1949, when production moved to the MG factory at Abingdon. The RMA/RME were large Saloons powered by 1.5-litre four-cylinder engines, while the 7-inches longer RMB/RMF models featured twin-cam 2.5-litre units. The RMC and RMD were limited edition soft-tops. While the latter was a conventional two-door Drophead Coupe, the RMC was a far more distinctive variant primarily designed for export to North America. Ostensibly a two-door Roadster version of the RMB, it featured a three-abreast front seat, cutaway doors, foldaway hood, large rear stowage area, fold flat windscreen, lower bonnet line and a column change (on LHD models) for the four-speed manual transmission. The 2.5 litre four-cylinder powerplant was also unusual in having twin pushrod-operated camshafts placed high in the cylinder block. The unit's output was circa 100bhp at 4,500 rpm - sufficient to accelerate the big Riley to 60mph in around 16.5 seconds and on to a genuine 100mph. Some 507 RMC Roadsters are thought to have been produced between 1948 and 1951. However, the Riley RM Club is apparently aware of just 79 roadworthy examples within the UK.
The right-hand drive car on offer is a rare UK specification model that was first registered in Kendal to Jackson, Henry Co in 1950. It was exported to the USA during the '60s and has only recently returned to these shores from Springfield Missouri. Finished in Green, it is considered by the vendor to be in "generally good overall condition". He hopes to have the Riley UK registered by the time of the sale but believes that time may stop him from reuniting the Roadster with its original 'JM 9649' number plate. A striking classic that would cut a dash in any company.
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