Lot Ended
Description
Very nicely presented 2 1/2-litre; recent expenditure; one of the
nicest we have offered
Low-slung,
rakish and elegant, the RM series was the last range of cars to be developed
independently by Riley before the 1952 merger of Riley's Nuffield Organisation
with Austin to form BMC. Originally made in Coventry, by 1949 production had
moved to the MG works at Abingdon.
While the
RMA and RME made do with a 1.5-litre engine, the RMB and its successor, the RMF,
had the 2.5-litre 'Big-Four' with twin camshafts mounted high at the sides of
the cylinder block, hemispherical combustion chambers and twin SU carbs. In RMF
form the engine produced 100bhp giving the car a top speed just a whisker shy of
the magic ton.
The RMF
also had fully hydraulic drum brakes rather than the hydromechanical system of
the earlier cars and featured independent torsion bar front suspension and
rack-and-pinion steering which gave excellent ride and handling for the era. In
production for less than two years, just 1,050 RMFs were made before it was
replaced by the Pathfinder in 1954.
First
registered in Cambridgeshire in June 1953, this beautiful RMF was fully restored
in the mid-1990s and remains in lovely condition today. Sold by Brightwells to
its current owner in 2015, it is reluctantly on offer due to reduced storage and
is one of the nicest examples we have seen.
When
acquired back in 2015, it had just received a full overhaul to the braking
system; new shock absorbers fitted all round; a new fuel pump; the prop-shaft
reconditioned with a new centre bearing; electronic ignition installed for
reliable starting and smooth running; flashing indicators fitted to complement
the semaphores and the bumpers rechromed.
All this
work remains, the vendor having just recently given the braking system another
going over due to lack of use, with bills on file for four new front cylinders
and one new rear plus a rear axle brake cylinder overhaul set and a rear brake
hose kit for the rear (bidders are advised that these have been fitted but the
brakes need further bleeding as there is still air in the
system).
The engine
had already been rebuilt and converted to unleaded in 2005 by Coltec Racing
Engines of Woodbridge at a cost of over £2,000 and has covered some 20,300 miles
since. A stainless steel exhaust had also been previously fitted along with a
Kenlowe fan although the vendor has never needed to use this, even on the
hottest days, but it may one day prove handy in a summer traffic
jam.
Looking
wonderful in Autumn Red over Black with a supple and nicely mellowed red leather
interior, the car is said to drive superbly, being easily capable of keeping up
with modern traffic.
A
‘matching numbers’ machine with the later shell bearing engine, it comes with a
fair amount of history, two old green log books from 1965 and 1974 plus an
original Riley Instruction Book. This is as good an RM as we have ever seen, and
is only being sold because the vendor has lost his storage. We doubt you would
find a much better example anywhere.
Contact
matthew.parkin@brightwells.com