Rare 1951 Riley Street Rod

Rare 1951 Riley Saloon (“Baby Bentley”) Modifications

•  4. 3L Chevy V-6 Engine with HEI Ignition

•  700R4 Chevy Transmission with Overdrive

•  Mustang II Front Suspension

•  Chevy Rear End with Leaf Springs

•  Power Brakes with Front Discs and Rear Drums

•  Rallye Wheels and Firestone FR380 Tires

•  Air Conditioner and Heater

•  Dolphin Gauges including Tachometer

•  Pioneer Premier Super Tuner AM-FM Radio with CD Player

•  Boston Sound Speakers Front and Rear

•  Creme on Creme Exterior Color with Wheat Landau Top and Tan Tweed Interior

•  Custom Fit Weathershield Car Cover

Brief History of this 1951 RMB Riley Saloon VIN #61S8314

Built in Abingdon. UK 

Price when new: 1125 English Pounds or US $3151 at that time

Original color green

Original 2. 5 Liter. 90 HP. 4-cylinder engine

0 to 60 MPH in 15. 2 seconds

Standing quarter mile in 19. 8 seconds

Maximum speed 96 MPH

A total of 1345 RMB's were made in 1951.   Of these. 145 were made with left-hand drive for export.   Some of the LHD were shipped to mainland Europe and some to the US.   (Information from the Riley Motor Club UK Registry)

Current estimate is that there are fewer than 100 drivable Rileys of all years in the US now.

Brief History of the Riley Car

The Bonnick Cycle Company started making bicycles in 1890.   Iincluded was the well known Sturmey Archer hub gearing.

In 1896 William Riley purchased the company. renamed it the Riley Cycle Company and started making motorcycles as well.

In 1903 sons of William Riley started a new business named Riley Engine Company.   They produced the first Riley Car. Vee-Twin Tourer. in 1905.

Subsequently William Riley took a major interest in the cars and stopped production of motorcycles in 1907 and bicycles in 1911 to focus fully on cars.

In 1912 the company was renamed Riley Limited and grew rapidly during the 1920's and 1930's.

In the 1930's the Riley sons developed improvements in engine technology and distinguished the Riley in sports and racing.

The company was purchased by Lord Nuffield in 1938 and was renamed Riley Motors.

After World War II Riley started making the RMA (1. 5L) and the RMB (2. 5L) models with entry into “Magnificent Motoring” featuring larger engines and independent front suspension.

1952 Lord Nuffield merged the company with Austin as the British Motors Corporation.   In the mid 1950's BMC produced an all-new Riley model RMH. subsequently called “the last real Riley. ”

In 1968 mergers with BMC and others created the British Leyland Motor Corporation.   In 1969 British Leyland stopped production of the Riley.

The Riley RMA's and RMB's are now considered collectible classics.

The Riley Motor Clubs in the UK. North America and other places now honor. support the restoration. and provide spare parts and a meeting ground for Riley owners.

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