An executive automobile series produced between the years of 1945 and 1955, the Riley RM was a popular post-war saloon which was produced independently by Riley before their merge with Nuffield in 1952, with Austin to form the famous BMC. There were multiple different variants of the RM model, however the RMB sported the more desirable engine, the “2 ½ litre big four” which was a 2.5L inline 4 cylinder with a RAC Horsepower rating of 16hp. The power output of this Big Four was quite staggering for its time however, making 106bhp at 4,500rpm!
The current owner of the vehicle has owned the car for the last 3 or 4 years and has stayed in his garage throughout when not in use, so you can rest assured this vehicle has been pampered. At some point in its previous ownership, it had been extensively restored in England to keep the car up to a beautiful standard, as can be seen in the photographs. The restoration also includes new dashboard clocks, so the mileage as it stands is 5,562 miles - this of course is not the mileage of the chassis in the last 70 years, but a note of the mileage since the restoration took place, which to many is much more important. Unfortunately as the years have passed, the receipts and invoices for the work that was carried out during the restoration is no longer with the vehicle, but the amount of hours and dedication is conspicuous when you set your eyes on it.
The car was subject to a complete professional respray at the time of restoration in a deep gloss black finish, which echoes the executive class that this car was designed for - there’s just something captivating about a black-on-black luxury vehicle that just makes you really feel like you’re in the presence of something special. The owner also tells us that the vehicle was used as a wedding car briefly before his ownership - and quite rightly so, what a wonderful car to be taken to your special day in, it’s a real head turner.
As mentioned previously, the work carried out on the vehicle at the time of restoration does not have much traceability in the form of paperwork, time has passed and the car has passed hands, and the paperwork hasn’t followed - however the work is very evident, it’s a wonderful sight for a 70 year old vehicle.
The interior of this Riley sports some gorgeous patina - something a post-war vehicle such as this is much deserving of and we’re grateful to see it being preserved here, and it’s been no accident that the seats are still in place. Patina is everything - even things some people may mistake for imperfections, however every but of patina has a story to tell, it’s a showcase that this car has survived for the last 70 years and that in itself is commendable.
The seats are finished in green leather and of course show their age - as mentioned the patina in this vehicle is admirable and something that is worth being preserved. Even with the patina, these seats are still completely functional and a very comfortable place to be! The floor carpets are all still intact and appear to be in great condition for their age with quite minimal signs of wear. The cabin is laced with woodwork across all of the inside of the doors and the dashboard, and we must say it is all very beautifully presented. The wood which runs across the doors is all fully intact with no obvious signs of any damage, and the ashtrays which are embedded in the frames are still present and functional. The leather portions of the door cards are made from the same green leather as the front and rear seats and appear to be in wonderful shape, with very little signs of wear, and the door pockets are still in place with all of the stitching present. Even the car's headlining is in incredible shape!
On the dashboard of the vehicle, the first thing you’ll notice is the beautiful large diameter 3-spoke steering wheel - we’re suckers for these gorgeous wheels, a true reminder of the era you’re sitting in while holding on to it. There are some small signs of wear on the wheel as you’d completely expect however considering the age, it’s extremely well kept! Behind the wheel, that beautiful wooden dashboard is shown in all its glory, and we have to admit it looks absolutely fantastic. The centre section containing the dials is very well presented in a darker shade of wood, and all of the instrument clusters are in fantastic condition with no signs of damage and remain fully functional.
In the boot of the vehicle, the carpets remain present and in good condition and the metalwork looks to be in fantastic condition showing free of any rot. There is also the original provided tools stored on the panel behind the rear seats, brilliantly presented with plenty of desirable patina.
Overall, the interior of this car is truly charming, and will make you smile from ear to ear just by being in the presence of it. A wonderfully preserved post-war classic truly worthy of admiration!
Finished in all black this Riley looks absolutely fantastic. Commonly painted in two-tone exterior paint jobs, so to see a black-on-black model really makes you appreciate just how stunning it looks - truly an executive colour for such a prestigious car, it really makes the chrome accents stand out!
Starting at the front of the vehicle, the headlights are wonderfully clear and show no signs of cracks or fading, and also function properly as they should, and the chrome surrounds they’re housed in are beautifully kept with no signs of fading. The front grill of the vehicle retains its chrome finish to a high standard and the Riley emblem is present and readable on the grill with a small amount of patina in the form of some paint slightly flaking - however this is something you really have to be up close and personal to notice. The chrome bumper bars are exceptionally kept with a high level of shine and no real signs of fading however it is to be noted that there are slight signs of pitting appearing.
To the sides of the vehicle, the wheel arches are in great shape with no signs of rot or damage, and the wheels themselves appear to be in lovely condition, painted in black to match the exterior paint job, and the chrome edged wheel caps are present and very well presented. The doors still open without any excessive use of force, and the front doors give that extra bit of class thanks to the suicide-style hinges which are found on the B-pillar, allowing the doors to open from the forwardmost point, something which the Rolls Royce Wraith of the modern day does to showboat its luxurious status. The side steps below the doors are still present and in lovely condition, and the chrome pieces which run along the length of them are still in admirable condition, too. These side steps help flow the front arches to the rear of the car accentuating the car's curves and prestige.
To the rear of the vehicle, the story is very much the same. The paint work is in lovely condition and the chrome pieces are all exceptionally kept. The boot lid itself opens and closes as it should with no excessive use of force and the badge located above the handle is still present. The rear lights are present and functional and the chrome bumper at the rear is very well presented too, no signs of damage and the chrome finish is wonderfully preserved.
The vinyl rooftop is in excellent shape too, with no damage, rips or tears. Overall, this car is beautiful inside and out with admirable amounts of patina in just the right places - finding a 70-year-old car in such condition as this is becoming somewhat unheard of and it is becoming increasingly admirable, especially with such a rare vehicle such as an RMB.
The smaller RMA series cars were graced with a rather lackluster 1.5L engine rated at 60bhp, however this changed in the RMB, introducing a much larger and more powerful engine, the 2.5L inline 4 cylinder, which produced a much more admirable power figure of 106bhp - rather impressive for the 50’s! Attached to a manual transmission and with the power sent directly to the rear wheels, it makes for a pleasant diving experience. If you’re in the market for an RM series, the 2.5L is the one to go for.
The engine and gearbox are in great working order and the car starts without any issues, and idles quite happily in its place. The electronics are also sound, we’re told, and there has been an isolation switch fitted with the battery for extended storage periods where you don’t want to degrade the battery. The car has been fitted with new front shock absorbers as a maintenance item, and the tyres are seemingly good however they are showing signs of age. The engine bay is all original and tidy as ever, showcasing that 2.5L Big Four in all its glory.
An RMB Riley, in a condition as stunning as this, truly is becoming a rare sight to behold. There’s no wonder people use these as wedding cars thanks to their stunning curvaceous body lines and their glistening chrome accents, the car exudes beauty and luxury through every bodyline it contains.
Don’t hang around with this, examples like this don’t come around too often and they’re an incredible conversation starter and head turner. Whether you’d have it for the occasional Sunday cruise, or have it as a showpiece, the car is ripe and ready for either thanks to it’s gorgeous condition and it’s fully functional mechanics. What are you waiting for? Dive in!
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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