Riley RM

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Riley RM Series
Manufacturer	Riley
Production	1945–1955
Predecessor	Riley 12hp, 16hp
Wheelbase	1.5 L cars - 112 in (2,845 mm) 2.5 L cars - 119 in (3,023 mm)
Length	1.5 L cars - 179 in (4,547 mm) 2.5 L cars - 186 in (4,724 mm)
Width	63 in (1,600 mm)
Height	59 in (1,499 mm)

The Riley RM Series was the last automobile series developed independently by Riley. RM vehicles were produced from 1945, after World War II, through the 1952 merger of the Riley's Nuffield Organisation with Austin to form BMC. They were originally made in Coventry but in 1949 production moved to the MG works at Abingdon.

There were three types of RM vehicles produced: The RMA was a large saloon, and was replaced by the RME. The RMB was an even larger car, and was replaced by the RMF. The RMC and RMD were limited-production roadsters.

All of the RM vehicles featured the pre-war Riley designed 1.5 L (1496 cc) 12 hp (RAC Rating) or 16 hp (RAC Rating) 2.5 L "Big Four" straight-4 engines with twin camshafts mounted high at the sides of the cylinder block and hemispherical combustion chambers.

1 Riley RMA
2 Riley RMB
3 Riley RMC
4 Riley RMD
5 Riley RME
6 Riley RMF
7 Riley RM car models
8 References

[edit] Riley RMA

Riley RMA

Production	1945–1952 10,504 produced.
Successor	Riley RME
Body style(s)	4-door saloon
Engine(s)	1.5 L Straight-4

The RMA was the first post-war Riley. It used the 1.5 L engine and was equipped with hydro-mechanical brakes and an independent suspension using torsion bars in front. The frame was made of wood in the English tradition, and the car featured traditional styling. The car was capable of reaching 75 mph (121 km/h). The RMA was produced from 1945 until 1952 when it was replaced by the RME.

[edit] Riley RMB

Riley RMB

Production	1946–1952 6900 produced
Successor	Riley RMF
Body style(s)	4-door saloon
Engine(s)	2.5 L Straight-4
Wheelbase	119 in (3023 mm)^[1]
Length	186 in (4724 mm)^[1]
Width	63.5 in (1613 mm)^[1]
Height	59 in (1499 mm)^[1]

The RMB was an enlarged RMA and was launched a year later in 1946. It used the 2.5 L (2443 cc) "Big Four" engine with twin SU carburettors, starting with 90 hp (67 kW) but increasing to 100 hp (75 kW) for 1948 with a 95 mph (153 km/h) top speed. The RMB was replaced by the RMF for 1952.

A car tested by The Motor magazine in 1949 had a top speed of 90 mph (140 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 16.8 seconds. A fuel consumption of 19.6 miles per imperial gallon (14.4 L/100 km/16.3 mpg US) was recorded. The test car cost £1224 including taxes. ^[1]

[edit] Riley RMC

Riley RMC

Production	1948–1951 507 produced
Body style(s)	2-door 3 seat convertible
Engine(s)	2.5 L Straight-4

The RMC was a 3-passenger 2-door convertible version of the RMB with a large rear deck area and fold flat windscreen. It shared that car's 2.5 L 100 hp (75 kW) engine and could reach 100 mph (161 km/h). The car was primarily designed for the North American export market, and just over 500 were built from 1948 until 1951. The gear change lever was moved to the steering column on left hand drive models.

[edit] Riley RMD

Riley RMD

Production	1949–1951 502 produced
Body style(s)	2-door convertible
Engine(s)	2.5 L Straight-4

The RMD was a traditional 2-door drophead coupé, the last convertible to wear the Riley name. It used the same 2.5 L 100 hp (75 kW) engine as the RMB, on which it was based. Just over 500 were produced between 1949 and 1951.

[edit] Riley RME

Riley RME
Production	1952–1955 3446 produced
Predecessor	Riley RMA
Successor	Riley One-Point-Five
Body style(s)	4-door saloon
Engine(s)	1.5 L Straight-4

The RME was an updated RMA. It still used the 1.5 L four and featured a fully-hydraulic braking system. The body had an enlarged rear window with curved glass and from 1954 no running boards. To improve acceleration the rear axle ratio was changed rfom 4.89:1 to 5.125:1.^[2]

Produced from 1952, it was replaced by the Riley One-Point-Five in 1955.

An RME tested by The Motor magazine in 1952 had a top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 29.5 seconds. A fuel consumption of 24.2 miles per imperial gallon (11.7 L/100 km/20.2 mpg US) was recorded. The test car cost £1339 including taxes.^[2]

[edit] Riley RMF

Riley RMF

Production	1952–1953 1050 produced
Predecessor	Riley RMB
Successor	Riley Pathfinder
Body style(s)	4-door saloon
Engine(s)	2.5 L Straight-4

The RMF replaced the big RMB limousine in 1952. It shared that car's 2.5 L "Big Four" engine as well as the mechanical updates from the RME. The RMH Riley Pathfinder , last of the Riley "Big Fours", and thus the last real Riley, took its place after 1953 and continued in production until 1957.

[edit] Riley RM car models

Riley RMA 1½-Litre 4-Door Saloon 1949	Riley RMA 1½-Litre 4-Door Saloon 1952	Riley RM 4-Door Saloon 1949	Riley RM 4-Door Saloon 1950
Riley RM 4-Door Saloon 1953	Riley RM 4-Door Saloon	Riley RMD 2½-Litre Drophead Coupé	Riley RMD 2½-Litre Drophead Coupé