1950 Riley RMD Drophead Coupe

Description

The RM series of saloons, dropheads and roadsters was Riley’s first post-war model, initially built at Coventry although production later switched to the MG factory at Abingdon. Debuting as the 1 ½ litre RMA in 1945, the new Riley was powered by a development of the pre-war overhead-valve four-cylinder engine and featured torsion bar front suspension plus hydro-mechanical brakes. The RMA had attractive, traditional styling and was capable of reaching 75 mph on the open road. Riley supplemented the RMA with the more powerful 2½ litre RMB the following year, using a longer wheelbase chassis made from heavier gauge steel to accommodate the long-stroke four-cylinder engine. With Riley’s signature double camshaft valve train layout and a pair of SU carburetors, the RMB had 100 horsepower on tap and could reach a top speed of 90mph. In March 1948 Riley expanded the model line-up to include the flashy RMC roadster - a model aimed squarely at the American market (indeed it was initially only sold in left-hand drive guise) - followed by the elegant RMD drophead in 1949, with film star Clark Gable a notable owner. Riley RMs also featured in international rallies and even the occasional circuit race, with a works prepared RMC finishing 17th at Le Mans in 1950. The 2½-litre Riley underwent constant development, with the original lever-arm rear suspension replaced with telescopic dampers in 1951 and a more powerful engine fitted the following year, when the RMB was replaced by the stop-gap RMF. Just 502 RMDs were built in total, including both left and right-hand drive versions, with Australia proving one of the strongest markets. The final Riley to wear the famous blue diamond badge prior to the takeover by BMC, the RM series was well received and The Motor described the RM as offering "Sports car performance with town carriage manners". The blend of traditional and modern qualities that made the RM series so popular in the day was neatly summed up by Riley's slogan "as old as the industry - as modern as the hour".