Riley RME

Riley's four seater 1.5-litre RMA Saloon was introduced in 1945 with low, streamlined styling and an opulent interior designed to appeal to the more discerning motorist. The cars were built on separate chassis assemblies with unstressed, ash-framed steel panelwork and a fabric-covered roof. Power came from a 1496cc overhead valve four-cylinder engine with twin camshafts, mounted high in the cylinder block. Producing 54bhp, it propelled the car to a top speed of 75mph. The running gear was advanced for its time with rack-and-pinion steering and torsion bar independent front suspension.

In 1951 the RMA was replaced by the RME, essentially the same car, but with open prop shaft, hypoid axle, fully hydraulic brakes and a larger rear window. Noted for its outstanding handling, the RME was summed up by Motor magazine as follows: “With its many traditional British features, its good road manners and its excellent build quality and finish, the latest Riley will appeal to discerning drivers whose taste runs to an individual car of very pleasing up-to-date line.”

First registered in February 1955, this RME is said to be in very good condition throughout after a thorough restoration some time ago and is MOTd until October and taxed until March 2011. It comes with the original buff log book from 1955 which shows that it was supplied new by Moss's Agencies of Leamington Spa to a Henry Kesterton of Warwick. At the time of cataloguing we had not had chance to examine either the vehicle or its documents and prospective purchasers are invited to do so before they make their bids.