Never miss an auction
Never miss an auction
£6,000 - £8,000
1949 Riley RMA 1496cc. Registration number TBC. Chassis number 39S16526. Engine number 16549.
Sold with the V5C, two keys, photographic restoration 1985-89, large history folder, books and some spares.
The Riley RM Series was produced from 1945 until 1955. It was the last model developed independently by Riley prior to the 1952 merger of Riley's still new owner Nuffield, with Austin to form BMC.
There were four types of RM vehicles produced. All used Riley engines with four cylinders in-line, hemispherical combustion chambers and twin camshafts mounted high at the sides of the cylinder block.
The RMA was a large saloon, and was replaced by the RME, both used a 1496 cc engine developed before WWII.
The RMB was a longer car and used a 2.5 L 16 hp "Big Four" engine.
TBC has known history from 1968 when Martin Croston bought it from a scrap yard in Rochdale, for £15, those were the days! He sold it to Mr Whittle in 1969, then Roy Sawford in 1971, David Brown in 1973, and Alistair Cameron in 1974 then Kevin Newton. By 1984 it was with James Findlay and it was in need of a total restoration. This was undertaken between 1985 and 1989. It was fully stripped back with new ash A, B, and C posts, the engine was rebuilt with shell bearings, the whole leather interior, the roof lining and door cards, in addition to the full respray the roof covering was replaced.
After some use it was sold it to Charles Batty of Huddersfield in 1995 and our vendor bought it in 2003.
He has kept a detail log of work he has undertaken over the years including a new clutch in 2009, and the cylinder head skimmed in 2012. He now finds it too large for his needs and has bought a smaller classic.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
15% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
18.6% inc VAT*
