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 1,496cc 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.” By 1954 it had lost its running boards and gained attractive rear wheel spats, the model continuing in production until the arrival of the new Riley One-Point-Five in 1955.

This late 1954 RME was first registered to Harold Godwin 1944 Ltd, in Suffolk Street, Birmingham. Retained for just two months (perhaps as a demonstrator), it was purchased by a gentleman from Billesley, who in turn kept it for less than 12 months. It then passed to a Mr Haseler from Handsworth Wood who kept it until the late 1960s, at which point it was sold to a gentleman from Smethwick who retained it until the vendor purchased it in around 1990.

Last taxed in 1969, it was reputed to have had a mechanical rebuild at around that time. Soon after purchase the current owner undertook a full body repaint (of which a photographic record exists on file) and replaced the vinyl roof. Shortly after putting it back on the road in 1993, the car ran a big end so the vendor replaced the white metal as required. He then rather lost heart in the car and put it into storage where it has lain ever since, having covered no more than 100 miles since the engine rebuild.

Now back in running condition, it will require light recommissioning before use. Being a late model, the brakes are fully hydraulic with a ready source of parts available from Riley specialists. The vendor describes the car as “solid underneath, with doors that fit and shut well and with what appears to be sound woodwork”. Its upholstery is original, as is the headlining making this an attractive, nicely patinated car which could be returned to the road relatively easily.  The icing on the cake is its attractive non-transferable registration number, PON 20.