Riley | home | car index | car park | about | links
A high performance saloon with traditional looks, the car sported a twin-cam engine with hemispherical combustion chambers. The car had a timber-framed body and a fabric covered roof. Fully hydraulic brakes replaced the hydro-mechanical ones in 1952.
 |
||
| 1952 Riley 1½ litre |
The 2½ litre model looked identical to the 1½ , but was 7 inches longer. Roadholding is said to be not quite as good as that of the 1½ litre.
 |
||
| 1952 Riley 2½ litre |
A restyled model was introduced in 1954 (below). Note the helmet-shaped front wings, built-in fog lamps and lack of running boards.
 |
 |
|
1954 1½ litre RME |
1954 RME Press Photo |
As Riley put it: "Imaginative re-styling brings to the 1½ litre Riley an enhanced grace, a fresh new beauty, that will captivate all who appreciate the finer points of motor-car design. Skillful streamlining of the wings, faired torpedo-shaped headlamps which merge into the bonnet structure, inset foglamps, plus smart, shapely spats over the rear wheels, all combine to reduce wind resistance still more".
Do you need more convincing? Read the 1954 press release.
| Specification | (1952 Riley 2½ Litre) | |
| Engine | Twin cam, straight 4, 2443cc | |
| Power | 101 bhp @ 4500 rpm | |
| Transmission | 4 speed manual | |
| Chassis | Chassis + timber-framed body | |
| Suspension | Independent front and live axle rear | |
| Brakes | hydro-mechanical drum/hydraulic drum | |
| Top Speed | 153 km/h | |
| Acceleration | 0-80 km/h: 18.6 s |
Riley | home | car index | car park | about | links
Last update: 05-09-1999