Riley RMB

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Long, low and rakish, the Riley RM just oozes caddish charm and was the last series of cars to be developed independently by Riley before the 1952 merger of Riley's Nuffield Organisation with Austin to form BMC.

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 RMB form the engine was rated at 100bhp giving the big saloon a top speed just a whisker shy of the magic ton, driving through a four-speed gearbox.

Coachbuilt in the traditional way with luxurious interiors, excellent ride and roadholding, the RM series proved very popular with the middle class buyers it was aimed at, also proving a big favourite with police. Around 6,900 RMBs were sold between 1946 and 1952, the first cars built in Coventry with production moving to the MG works at Abingdon in 1949.

This lovely RMB was bought new by Arthur Bassett of Swansea in October 1950 with the express intention of competing in the next year’s RAC Monte Carlo Rally, as shown in press cuttings on file. It has several special features including locking fuel caps, a secret compartment in the rear seat divider and steel shackles on the jacking points which were used to strap the car down securely on its voyage across the Channel. It also has an extremely rare factory-fitted sunroof and is believed to be one of only six RMBs thus equipped.

After successfully completing the rally, the car passed through several more local owners (as detailed in the original buff logbook) before our vendor acquired it about 28 years ago. Although the engine had been rebuilt, the rest of the car was scruffy so our vendor treated it to a full restoration which took almost four years to complete. As you can see the work was done to a very high standard and the car still looks wonderful today with excellent paintwork and a gorgeous red leather interior. The underside looks equally good and the car is fitted with a stainless exhaust.

Always kept garaged and used in fine weather only, the car became a regular on the Welsh show circuit and won so many prizes that the vendor eventually became too embarrassed to enter it! He states that the car has always proved totally reliable during his long ownership and has always driven exceptionally well, tackling long journeys with ease and seeming to only run better the hotter it gets.

Very sparingly used in the last ten years, it started promptly and ran beautifully as we moved it around for these photos, the vendor advising that it would probably benefit from a good service before being pressed into regular use once more.

As good an example as we have ever offered, it needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. A large quantity of spares are available by separate negotiation if desired (engine; gearbox; clutch; axle; radiator; wings etc) but these will need to be collected from the Newport area.
 

PS: It may interest bidders to note that the actual rally plaques worn by this car on the 1951 Monte Carlo Rally have been gathering dust in a garage for years and have just been delivered to Brightwells, much to our surprise and that of the vendor who did not know they existed! They will be offered for sale in our next timed online auction which commences on 30th August and are illustrated in the last photo above.