1948 Riley RMA 1.5 Litre Saloon

The Riley RM Series is considered by many to be amongst the prettiest post war classic motor cars. With flowing coachwork and a 1496cc twin cam power unit providing smooth and abundant performance, plus torsion bar suspension and telescopic dampers, this still remains a true driver’s car. The interior retains the pre-war comforts of wooden dashboard, good quality trim, headlining and carpets.   The early cars were produced in Coventry but in 1949 production moved to the MG works in Abingdon. Following the takeover by Nuffield, the RMA was replaced by the RME.

This RMA appears to have spent much of its time in Devon from the early 1980s until 2010, when it moved to mid Somerset and the care of its (current), sadly late owner. We understand that it has been maintained well, certainly since documentation started, and it appears that mechanical work was carried out in the Eighties with a body restoration in 1989/90, when we presume a new roof assembly was fitted. A further mechanical overhaul was completed in the late Nineties. Since 2010, the Riley has been a much loved member of the family and enjoyed at local car rallies and shows, sometimes even winning prizes! Its late owner maintained it well, we understand that work included the fitting of a new clutch, propshaft, second hand crown wheel and pinion, new gearbox mountings and new spring eye bushes all in 2014. After a period of recent storage, we would now recommend a recommissioning service, but mechanically, there are thought to be no known issues and it has a very tidy engine bay. There is however an intermittent windscreen wiper fault.

In terms of the cosmetics, the motor car is described as good. The body is sound and solid, the paintwork is very smart as is the brightwork, the interior is original and has the patina of age as one would expect, but is certainly usable. The dash and door cappings are again original and very presentable, the headlining is clean (and presumably a replacement) and all instrumentation is thought to be in working order.

The history file contains a workshop manual, a Brooklands Book of the Riley, MOT test certificates, photographs, correspondence, invoices dating from the 1980s, maintenance information, two instruction books, one with handwritten maintenance records, V5 documents and the V5C registration certificate, together with a trophy won at a car show, tools and a spare wheel and tyre.

Auction Date: 1 March 2024