Riley RM Series History

Saloon · 1945–1955

History

The RM series, introduced from 1945, comprised the last models developed independently by Riley before its absorption into BMC. All used four-cylinder twin-high-camshaft engines with hemispherical combustion chambers, torsion-bar independent front suspension and elegant flowing coachwork.

The 1½-litre RMA saloon (1945–1952) and the larger, faster 2½-litre RMB saloon (1946–1952) formed the core, joined by the export-focused RMC roadster (1948–1951) and the RMD drophead coupe (1949–1951). The RME (1952–1955) and RMF (1952–1953) were the final, updated 1½- and 2½-litre saloons. The 2½-litre cars could reach around 95 mph, fast for the period.

Generations

RMA · 1½-litre saloon (1945–1952)

Photo: “EWS211 1946 Riley RMA 1.5” by kitmasterbloke / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.

The 1½-litre four-door saloon; about 10,504 built, with torsion-bar front suspension and roughly 75 mph performance.
- 1946
  Photo: “EWS211 1946 Riley RMA 1.5” by kitmasterbloke / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1947
  Photo: “Riley RMA (1947) (51187703890)” by Andrew Bone from Weymouth, England / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1948
  Photo: “1948 Riley RMA (34900934760)” by Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1949
  Photo: “1949 Riley RMA (13395822033)” by GPS 56 from New Zealand / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1951
  Photo: “1951 Riley RMA URM051 @ Granville Park,Gingin” by ZidaneHartono / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1952
  Photo: “1952 Riley RMA 1.5” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
RMB · 2½-litre saloon (1946–1952)

Photo: “AEG532 1950 Riley RMB” by kitmasterbloke / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.

The larger, faster 2½-litre saloon — a lengthened RMA capable of about 95 mph; roughly 6,900 built.
- 1949
  Photo: “1949 Riley RMB Saloon (23917904403)” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1950
  Photo: “AEG532 1950 Riley RMB” by kitmasterbloke / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
RMC · 2½-litre roadster (1948–1951)

Photo: “1949 Riley 2.5 RMC 3-Seater Roadster” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.

An open three-seat roadster on the 2½-litre chassis aimed largely at North American export; about 507 built.
- 1948
  Photo: “1948 Riley RMC Convertible (24746184039)” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1949
  Photo: “1949 Riley 2.5 RMC 3-Seater Roadster” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1950
  Photo: “Riley RMC registered March 1950 2443cc” by Charles01 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
RMD · 2½-litre drophead coupe (1949–1951)

Photo: “Riley RMD (1950) (51135723868)” by Andrew Bone from Weymouth, England / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.

A 2½-litre four/five-seat drophead coupe; the first Riley drophead of the post-war range, about 502 built.
- 1950
  Photo: “Riley RMD (1950) (51135723868)” by Andrew Bone from Weymouth, England / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
RME · 1½-litre saloon (later) (1952–1955)

Photo: “1954 Riley RME 1.5 Litre saloon at Capel Manor, Enfield, London, England” by Acabashi / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.

The updated 1½-litre saloon with fully hydraulic brakes and a larger rear window; about 3,446 built.
- 1952
  Photo: “MOF859 1952 Riley 1.5 RME” by kitmasterbloke / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1953
  Photo: “1953 Riley RME” by Graham Robertson / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1954
  Photo: “1954 Riley RME 1.5 Litre saloon at Capel Manor, Enfield, London, England” by Acabashi / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1955
  Photo: “1955 Riley RME 1.5” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
RMF · 2½-litre saloon (later) (1952–1953)

Photo: “BFL 637 1953 Riley 2.5 -litre RMF” by kitmasterbloke / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.

The final 2½-litre saloon, sharing the RME's updates; about 1,050 built before the Pathfinder replaced it.
- 1953
  Photo: “BFL 637 1953 Riley 2.5 -litre RMF” by kitmasterbloke / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.