Absolute Classic Cars. 1954 Riley RME 1.5 litre, stunning British Classic Car.
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- čas přidán 15. 12. 2020
- One of just 3446 models produced we're delighted to offer this beautiful 1954 Riley RME. Finished in Green with Biscuit interior this stunning example has come from its first UK owner, with the owner having previously imported the car from South Africa, having bought the car himself from a long-term friend who had previously had the car fully restored during the mid 90's at a cost of R200,000 (the equivalent of ~£34k at todays exchange rate)!
A visual inspection of this 66 year old classic will leave most people speechless! Having been professional restored and with little mileage since the bodywork remains in fantastic condition, she has a deep lustrous shine with super clean body lines and panel gaps. The chromework and stainless-steel elements around the car are impeccable, just beautifully detailed and a glance at the Riley Kestrel emblem adorning the radiator grill is so highly detailed you almost expect the bird to take to flight! The coach lines are super crisp, every door opens and closes with the lightest of touches, the light lens all-round look almost 'as new' and its' truly evident that this RME has been treated with real care.
Opening the 'suicide' door to the front or conventional opening rear doors, both hinged vertically on the 'B' pillar and your first thought is .. 'Quality' and without waxing lyrical, the quality is right up there, matching that of any Jaguar, Rolls of the time! Wonderfully restored, using only the best materials, the finest leathers, and despite being nearly 70 years old, the seats, wooden dash / door cappings, switch gear all look wonderful......it's understandable why the Riley company, in its younger years, suffered instability, the ethos of quality, quality, quality remained paramount versus that of any financial constraint! We simply love it and we're left agog that classic Rileys are yet to command the price of Rolls Royce Silver Dawn or Bentley R Type.
Since its import into the UK in 2016 the Riley has been used sparingly and as a result since joining our portfolio we've carried out an extensive programme of recommissioning with works including:
- Strip out fuel tank, clean all fuel lines, remove / clean fuel filter & pump, remove carb and rebuild, reinstall.
- Remove / adjust exhaust system
- Drain down cooling system. Fit new water-pump kit, replace thermostat, make new gaskets as required, refill system with correct anti-freeze mixture
- Check ignition system, strip down and replace parts as required.
- Drain oil, remove rocker cover and reset tappets. Full engine service, set static timing as per Riley manufacturers specification.
- Check gearbox and rear axle oil levels.
- Strip down steering / front suspension components. Adjust / replace steering components as required, replace bushes, track vehicle.
- Remove rear leaf-springs and replace spring-eye bushes.
- Complete strip down and overhaul of braking system, rebuild as necessary and bleed system
- Check electrics, lighting etc, repair as required.
- Place car on rolling road, run up to temperature and adjust mixture as required.
With over £2500 spent, we've carried out all the essential works required for the Riley to be on the road and enjoying the miles again. We're happy to say, without reservation, that it's an absolute delight to not only be a passenger but to actually enjoy driving this wonderful British classic, we love her and we know that once you have seen her you too, you will fall in love with this beautiful, luxurious and capable saloon.
See our website for further pictures, testimonials and how to buy. All our cars can be delivered UK wide in our fully enclosed trailer, European or Worldwide delivery, no problem, please contact us for further details. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
WE had two RMEs. YTW88 we got married in in1969 and kept her for 25 years.A delight to drive, great lock and roadholding but always seemed to need some mechanical attention. Hot spot tube system was a novel way of having carb one side and exhaust the other but two pipes ran through the block to heat the carb. A right pain if the carrier tubes rotted in the middle letting hot water out. I think I changed or repaired every single part of it but replacing the door pillars beyond me. Black and maroon a real headturner and my wife drove it during the day and could it park it easily despite its length. Even cranked her on occasions but I set timing not to kickback. Nearly bought her back once when she appeared for sale in Waltham Abbey. Apparently Off Road somewhere in Dymchurch. As we live by the sea now it is not a good car to own anymore, but I do miss her. 30mpg was prob max and 78mph top whack downhill. The other older running board RME I got cheap and it leaked and steamed up on wet cold day. At least 4 others went through my hands,two were dismantled. I still have a Riley "Ski Lady" rad mascot. My Dad made 4 Riley "R's" for the rad cap. Each one took hours and then they were plated. I have the original number plates for YTW. I fitted a nice push button radio and good speakers. The leg air vents might seem good on a very hot days but gave you leg cramp! Have many Dinky RMs that never go wrong.
What a great example of that early post-war British refinement. Out of reach of most, often driven by pro's like Doctors ,Solicitors, architects etc. If this colour is original, I have never seen one before, absolutely gorgeous. Not exactly sporty, but stylish at any speed.
Glad you like it.
Riley were one of the first cars to have metallic paint. It was actually ground up fish scales stirred into the paint.
One of my English masters had one of these cars- it was a very pale green. He was an unusual teacher, as he did not bother to keep control- in fact his classes were bedlam. He managed to create order by doling out books- and under his careful tuition, I can remember reading The Carpetbaggers, The Valley of the Dolls and The Virgin Soldiers and other such books. He was a published author and he managed- one was called " Vultures in the Smoke" and one of my classmates read it. He mentioned that the book was rather tame- and he was told that all the spicy action had been removed as it hindered getting a publisher! 50 years have now elapsed, I hope his Riley, which was in great order, has survived.
Great memories!
Que lindo carro, uma verdadeira obra de arte...
Ala, um br
A friend of mine had a superb pale blue version of this car, bought in 1967 from-I recall- a doctor's widow for [ ???] about £250. It's a cliche BUT they don't make them like that any more ! My brand new 1967 dark blue 1500 cc Beetle cost me some £700 : in its own way a classic of course! Where are these two cars now?
Gosh that's beautiful and what a sound too
Very nice , superb reliable engine from the early days, but well advanced in design. Tremendous value in metal as well, a little drawing room on wheels.
My dad had a 2.5l black RM, 1954-60. I helped him replace the vinyl roof and the timber frame. I never saw an original coloured example in all my life in Australia. I can't imagine overcoming the inertia of a 1.5l version encumbered with the same heavy body. A tan roof on a BRG car would present much better...
Thanks for your comments and how lovely that your father owned one too. Our wonderful example was snapped up immediately, they especially liked the correct black roof over the BRG….personal tastes of course 👍
Lovely. Très belle automobile.
Merci.
Classic classic beautiful
Thats very kind of you, she's a lovely example.
Dont know if anyone gives a damn but if you're stoned like me atm you can watch all the new movies and series on instaflixxer. Have been streaming with my girlfriend these days xD
@Duke Ezra definitely, been watching on instaflixxer for years myself :D
Sweet ! Beautifully proportioned and streamlined. Too bad about the tiny British engine.
They built a 2.5 litre, it would do a ton. They raced 1.5 engines at BROOKLANDS of course in lighter cars. They had gearwheels driving the camshafts, no chains or belts. Very reliable.
What’s the value of one in this stunning condition ?
She was sold a few years ago. A beautiful car 👍
How could this body style have lasted from the 40's as late as 1954? seems very strange when the more modern Pathfinder was in production, Did BMC get stuck with as lot of these bodies to get rid of after the merger. They had to find a way to get rid of XPAG engines in the Wolseley 4/44 whilst the MG Magnette [same body] got the "B" series 1500.
Agree, the RM series remained in production for a long time. As the 4/44 and Magnette....the Magnette is a far better car, although we're biased as we own one :)
@@absoluteclassiccars5050 BMC was obviously a bit of a shambles for a while.
Purely a personal opinion, but I think the white walls spoil an otherwise VERY nice car.
She’s a wonderful example, she carried the white walks off quite well, but agreed, it’s a personal thing.
Indeed so! They nearly always do.
Totally agree , the white walls set the car off beautifully. @@absoluteclassiccars5050
Its British Racing Green
I like to hear engine sound and not your back ground lousy music
nice shape, a poor mans Jaguar, terrible engine, outdated technogy
English, nice but useless
stopped running when raining, steange for the UK?
i had 2 in the Netherlands, in the 60s
Cost more than the 2.4Jaguar Mk1 . Engine was actually rather advanced ( bowl in head, twin cam) first british production car with independent front suspension and rack and pinion steering.
Not quick however, the 2.5 version was a lot faster.
The 60's, that sure is a long time ago. We think the RME is rather wonderful classic.
@@absoluteclassiccars5050 yes i owend 2x in 1963 my car to get married in, hahaha but nobody could drive it, i was the only one, yes indeed, English excentric indeed
@@absoluteclassiccars5050 I agree with you its got gallons of charm and is a reminder of much better times.
Lovely car, but the music is awful!
Thanks 🤣, we no longer compose music….