Riley RME Saloon

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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 rear wheel spats, the model continuing in production until the arrival of the new Riley One-Point-Five in 1955.

The original RF60 logbook shows that this 1954 RME was first delivered to Mr Cooper of Mill Hill, London, painted in traditional black. He kept the car until 1957 when it passed to a Mr York, also of London, who drove it for the next 14 years. A quick succession of owners after that saw it move north to Merseyside, where it entered the ownership of Riley Club members Roger and Sue Bardsley who, according to a club magazine, discovered the car in a St Helens garage covered in a thick layer of dust.

During the early 1980s a rebuild was undertaken by Bill Manders who repainted the car black with maroon flanks. It was sold once more in 1985, Manders offering to paint the car Ivory for its new owners which he subsequently did. They used it for wedding work before selling it to an RM club member in 1989. Driven for just two years, it was then put away in storage for over a decade, the vendor acquiring it in July 2001. After freeing off the brakes and giving it some TLC, it was back on the road by November of that year and hasn’t looked back since.

Over the years the vendor has added indicators which work in tandem with the trafficators and a high level rear brake light, both sensible concessions to the demands of modern traffic. A few years ago the paintwork started to lift in a few places and a friend recommended a professional coach-painter well-versed with painting classic and vintage vehicles who did a very presentable job. The car has given sterling service since then, a local Riley club expert recently removing the engine and giving it a thorough overhaul to keep it in good health.

In sound and presentable condition with a nicely patinated interior, it will be driven some 70 miles to the sale and is being offered for sale so that the vendor can help fund his granddaughter through university – now that’s some sacrifice!

Catalogue amendment: Please note that the engine overhaul was done with the engine in the car. The head and sump were removed, the bores were checked and one piston replaced.