Riley Pathfinder
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| Riley Pathfinder | |
| Manufacturer: | BMC |
|---|---|
| Production: | 1953-1957 5152 |
| Predecessor: | Riley RMF |
| Successor: | Riley Two-Point-Six |
| Class: | fullsize car |
| Body style: | 4-door saloon |
| Engine: | 2.5 L Twin cam Straight-4 |
| Similar: | 6/90 |
The Pathfinder replaced the RMF as Riley's top-line automobile.
Designed as the "RMH" just before the 1952 merger of Riley-parent, the Nuffield Organisation, with Austin to form BMC, the Pathfinder is seen as the last proper Riley car. It used Riley's 110 hp (82 kW) 2.5 L (2443 cc) twin-cam, "Big Four" straight-4 engine and had a separate chassis with coil spring rear (this was changed to leaf springs towards the end of production) and front torsion bar independent suspension. From 1956 an automatic transmission version was optional.
The body was similar to the Wolseley6/90. Both cars were launched in 1953, and both were designed by Morris' Gerald Palmer for the Nuffield Organisation before the merger. All Pathfinders featured the front independent suspension developed from the RMF, but the sophisticated Riley rear suspension was replaced by a conventional leaf spring type in the last few examples. For whatever reason, the handling of the coil-sprung versions was allegedly tricky. A factory nickname for these cars was reportedly 'Riley Ditchfinder'.
The Pathfinder was replaced by the short-lived Wolseley 6/90-derived Riley Two-Point-Six in 1958.
Engine:
- 2.5 L (2443 cc) Straight-4, 110 hp (82 kW)
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