Riley RM? opinions

[mike4gtl]

Hello everyone,

Before i finally bought my old Traction Avant i was getting so annoyed at going over to france on the eurotunnel (4 times) and coming back empty handed because the french seller had, had a cash buyer arrive that morning before me, That i considered buying a Riley RM... and i very nearly did, however what put me off was the fact that the bulkhead is made off wood and i am no 'woodist' when it comes to tree repairs. Then then i found the citroen and the rest is history as they say.

Anyway a guy has just come down to my work in one to let up listen to listen to his engine (piston slap) and it has sparked the Riley bug in me again. Looking at a few forsale (and i am not going to rush out and buy one - noway) but prices seem to fluctuate alot from £1500 for a reasonable looking barn stored car that needs overhauling to £12k for a mint example.

I just wondered if anyone on here has ever had or driven one and do you think the Citroen is better than a Riley? The TA certianly has a better gear change being traditionally dashboard mounted.

(Citroens not for sale, i just like Riley's too )

 

[Cornish4]

Hi there Mike, I've always liked RMs too but never owned one. I did many years ago have a drive in one prior to a friend buying it for £50 (it was a while ago) and it was really nice, it had a prewar feel about it not unlike the 1937 MG VA saloon I had at the time. I believe they can be a right swine to restore, as you say quite a bit of wood, plus the roof is made of perforated steel covered with horse-hair and then leatherette. So you can imagine what happens to that if the water gets in. Still a nice car though if you can find a good one. I reckon the TA is rarer though, but they have both got style, and they stand out from the crowd, a bit like a 4.

 

[Beige Belgian]

Hi Mike, I prefer the Citroen to the Riley RM, as you know I had a Citroen Traction until recently. The Citroen is very nice to drive and I have driven a pre war Riley Falcon 12/4, which with its pre selector is very nice too. I'd personally go for a pre war Riley rather than a post war one, but then I'm into pre war cars.

 

[Steve Hennessey]

Well, I've owned a 1952 Riley RMB 2 1/2 litre and a Citroen Light 15!! The Citroen was easier to maintain and work on. The Riley has a traditional coach built body and unless you're really into coachbuilding, it would mean an expensive restoration.

I remember the Citroen's handling was like driving on tram rails. However, the Riley's handing wasn't far off but it's a much heavier car. Nothing wrong with the gear change either. The Riley was more comfortable than the Citroen.

Both very good cars - buy one of each and drive them on alternate weekends!

 

[mike4gtl]

thanks for the input, i was going to opt for the 2 1/2 litre as it looks like a nice big heavy duty engine capable of pulling it along like the citroen's lump, however when i was talking to the riley guy yesterday, he said he only gets 20-21 mpg out of it where as the little 1 1/2 litre will do 25-26 mpg. Not that this matters to much, but 20 is a little poor surley...

I no nothing about coach building, i can weld ok and restore bodywork ok but when it comes to wood, pffff.

Also what is a pre selector gearbox please?

 

[Cornish4]

Yes that is a wee bit thirsty Mike, but then it is a big car, and if you are only using it for high days and holidays what the heck. The Wilson preselector gear-box was fitted to many prewar cars, and was a good system. You literally preselected the next gear you wanted on a lever, a bit like an automatic, and then depressed and released the clutch pedal to obtain it. My dad had an Armstrong Sidderly 16hp that had one fitted, and they even fitted them to MGs.