Riley MPH
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Riley MPH | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Manufacturer | Riley |
| Production | 1934-1935 Approx 15 made[1] |
| Predecessor | none |
| Successor | Riley Sprite |
| Body style(s) | two seat sports |
| Engine(s) | 1.4, 1.6 or 1.7 L Straight-6 |
| Transmission(s) | 4 speed manual or preselector |
| Wheelbase | 97.5 inches (2477 mm)[2] |
| Length | 144 inches (3658 mm)[2] |
| Width | 57.5 inches (1460 mm)[2] |
The Riley MPH is a small production, two seat, sports car made between 1934 and 1935 by the Riley company of Coventry, England. Very few were made and examples are now highly sought after.
The chassis, with half elliptic springs and rigid axles front and rear, was based on that of the car prepared for the 1933 TT races. To keep the height down to as low as possible, the side members went under the axle at the rear. Large, fifteen inch, drum brakes were used. Elegant bodywork was mainly of aluminium built over a traditional wood frame and featured a long bonnet, front wings flowing into running boards and a short rounded tail. The windscreen could fold flat to reduce air resistance.
A choice of three sizes of the six cylinder engine were available, 1458 cc, 1633 cc or 1726 cc fitted with triple or more usually twin SU carburettors. The engines had the traditional Riley arrangement of twin camshafts mounted high in the crankcase. Aluminium alloy connecting rods were used. The 1726 engine had an output of 56.8 PS (56.0 bhp) (41.8 kW) at 4800 rpm. Drive was to the rear wheels through a choice of either a four speed manual or ENV pre-selector gearbox. The top speed was approximately 90 mph (145 km/h).[1]
The exact number made is not known but is believed to be around 15 and it was expensive at GBP550.[1] Numerous replicas have however been made. Fourteen original cars are thought to survive.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Sedgwick, M. (1989). A-Z of Cars of the 1930s. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-38-9.
- ^ a b c Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
- ^ Wood, Jonathon, “The Coventry Sixes”, The Automobile 23 (3): 44-49
