1950 Riley RMC

One of only approximately 100 manufactured in right-hand drive configuration, this rare, top of the range 2.5-litre RMC roadster was the subject of a restoration around the turn of the century and looks to have led a cosseted life with enthusiast owners since that time.

It’s spent the last three years with the current owner, who’s used it in and around the Hampshire area on high days and holidays. It’s now come up for sale – the first The Market has ever had the pleasure of listing and is, as you’re about to read, a very special car.

The bright red paintwork has survived remarkably well and, save for the odd chip on the bonnet leading edge and hinge area, appears pretty well unmarked. All the brightwork is in good condition, and the wheels are shod with period whitewall tyres.

This accentuates the RMC’s trans-Atlantic looks. It’s a striking and unusual looking drophead coupé with elegant lines and a vast amount of luggage space, making it ideal for continental classic car trips. The large wheels really fill out the wheel arches and the graceful curve of the front wings flows via the running boards to the rear of the car, where the tail lights sprout like two rocket thrusters on full boost.

The bumpers are unusual in themselves, with double layered construction and four over riders at either end of the car. At the front, the very recognisable Riley grille is beautifully topped off with a kestrel in full attack mode, ready to pounce on its prey.

The tan coloured folding canvas hood contrasts really nicely the bright red paint and is in very good shape too, as are the sidescreens that come with the car. The car retains working trafficators, as can be seen from the pictures.

The RMC’s wooden dash panels aren’t highly polished, but finished with a satin sheen that’s in very good order. The instruments are little works of art in their own right, with the centrally mounted speedometer flanked by a combined ammeter and oil pressure gauge to its left, and a fuel and water temperature unit on its right (the latter in Centigrade – very progressive for 1950). There’s also a rather special clock fitted (please see the History Highlights section later in this listing).

Substantial cream leather seats with a rich historical patina provide comfortable and secure berths for the two occupants. The driver’s seat shows a little wear on its base but we think it just adds to the character – something this car has in spades.

The large steering wheel (rack and pinion steering on this car – none of your old fashioned steering boxes here) is also trimmed in cream leather and wears a little of its history with it, but again, it just adds to the charm, as does, of all things, the heater. Mounted in an art deco styled steel box under the dash, it’s well worth a look, even though its aesthetics are hardly vital to its functions, which are controlled by the simple act of opening and closing the various little hinged flaps built into it.

The Riley 2.5-litre Big Four engine is another unusual feature of this car – it almost looks like a four cylinder Jaguar XK, and you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s an overhead cam design. In fact it’s an overhead valve design with the two cams mounted high in the block, but, like the Jaguar unit, it features hemispherical combustion chambers.

This one fires up happily and makes a delightfully period noise from its tailpipe. It breathes through twin SU carburettors and the owner reports that it’s standard spec, apart from the sensible switch to electronic ignition. The exhaust itself is stainless steel, and looks to be in fine shape, although there may have been some repair work undertaken at one of the system’s joints.

The car’s chassis looks to have received a good dose of rustproofing, and as a result looks to be in excellent shape. In the large boot there are twin fuel fillers and the car comes with an original spec jack, plus a selection of tools.

Even looking under the car reveals special design touches – the engine’s finned alloy sump being one feature worthy of attention.

This RMC comes with a selection of old MoT certificates (obviously it no longer requires an annual test) and historic bills detailing maintenance and repair work caried out. The owner adds:

‘The car comes with a documented history of ownership from as far back as 2002, showing restoration details, service records, spares purchases, MoTs and old tax discs. It has mainly seen use in Hampshire and the surrounding area. Clearly it has been well loved and kept in near perfect, rust free condition with all original features kept in working order.

‘I bought it because I have long felt nostalgic about old Rileys, having run one in my London student days during the late Sixties and early Seventies. This particular rare model was well out of my price range at the time, but one which I have always aspired to owning.

‘I have only had it three years, during which time we have had great fun driving it mainly locally. It always seems to attract plenty of admirers. I am now selling it, mainly because a recent accident to my shoulder has made it more of a challenge to drive.

‘As far as I can tell it has its original engine, though from the existing records it seems to have undergone some restoration work, including new bearings. During my ownership it has been fitted with a new clutch and had the braking system completely overhauled – the only modern upgrade being electronic ignition. In the past, a couple of non-standard fittings were added to the dashboard, including an indicator switch (now redundant) and a wind up clock, which rumour has it, came from a Spitfire aeroplane.

‘The Riley RM Club are very friendly and helpful, and always happy to provide any technical advice to members, with a comprehensive list of spares available.’

This rare opportunity to own an unusual, beautiful and historically important car. With only around 100 righthand drive RMCs ever built, and obviously far fewer than that surviving, this isn’t a car that comes up for sale very often. With Riley's famous 'Big Four' engine under the bonnet, it should prove a highly capable long-distance touring car, and a very useable classic. We estimate that it'll fetch between £27,000 - £32,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Warnford, Southampton. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.