RMF, Rare Left Hand Drive

This rare left hand drive sedan was acquired by Vicky Johnson of Dearborn. MI in 1956 and owned by her and her husband. Don Borthwick. In 1962. it was professionally restored by Ray Jones in Michigan. Twenty-two coats of lacquer were used in the repainting.

Then. Mr. Dick Schultz bought the Riley from his uncle in 1964.   During his ownership the engine was completely rebuilt. with new pistons. rod and main bearings. and the cylinder head and valves were refurbished. The Riley was driven about 2. 00 miles after it's engine rebuild.   Since 1967. it sat garaged and unused in FL and IL.   This collaborates its straight body and frame.

There is surface rust and some paint defects. but the drivetrain functions perfectly.   It cruises easily at 55 mph and starts easily. The vinyl roof and door glass is perfect. Windshield: a few chips. Dashboard: intact. dry. Leather: burgundy. dry. some cracks. New burgundy carpet (purchased from the factory in the 60s) included. but not installed. lus spare tire. factory hand crank. numerous manuals and factory promotion booklets included. Clear SC title.

“Riley may have gone bust in 1938. but that didn't stop the company's cars from being ultra-desirable after the War. Lord Nuffield bought the bankrupt outfit in 1939. adding it to his Morris. MG and Wolseley empire. The 1 1/2-Litre and 2 1/2-Litre saloons were among the first new British  Doncars of the post-war era. and were always seen as some of the most beautifully built and engineered cars of the time. With the engine set well back in the chassis. the ride and handling are streets ahead of most of the Riley's contemporaries. ”  — Source: Classic Motoring

“The last in the successful Riley RM series appeared in 1952 and was known as the RMF 2. 5 litre saloon. The RMF used the well proven 2443cc twin-cam four.   This powerful 100bhp engine could still achieve 20mpg when driven carefully.   RMF production only lasted one year. by 1953 just 1. 50 RMF saloons had been built. ” -- Source: Prewar Cars  — Source: Classic Motoring

“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. driving through a four-speed gearbox linked to a new hypoid bevel rear axle by an open propshaft. In production for less than two years. just 1. 50 RMFs were made before it was replaced by the Pathfinder in 1954. ” — Source: Classic Cars

ENGINE

High camshafts and push-rod 90-deg ohv 

2443cc 16hp 4cyl 

Bore 80. 5mm Stroke 120mm 

100bhp at 4. 00rpm 

Compression ratio 6. 8:1 

Carburation 2 H4 SU

TRANSMISSION

Four-speed gearbox. Synchro on 2nd. rd. th.  

Overall gear ratios: 

1st 15. 0. 2nd 8. 86. nbsp;

3rd 5. 83. 4th 4. 11 

Reverse 15. 0

SUSPENSION

Independent front suspension with twin wishbones. torsion bars and hydraulic telescopic dampers. Semi Elliptic at rear

BRAKES

Girling Hydro-mechanical.  

11in diameter brake drums.

PERFORMANCE

0-50mph 11. 9sec 

Standing ¼mile 21. 1secs 

Max Speed 91mph 

Fuel Consumption 19. 6mpg

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase 9'11" (aprx 4010mm) 

Track 4'4. 5" (aprx 1320mm) 

Length 15'6" (aprx 4710mm) 

Width 5'2. 5" (aprx 1560mm) 

Height 4'11. 5" (aprx 1480mm) 

Turning Circle 36' 

Tyres 

Weight 28cwt 

Fuel Tank

Also published at eBay.com

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