1952 Riley RMB saved from getting cut up .. will it run?

A few weeks ago we put up a “mystery photo” teaser on our Community Post of a rare British Saloon car we had just saved from being cut up. It’s now time to unveil our 1952 Riley RMB. We talk about how this car is rare pretty much anywhere in the world with fairly low production numbers and take a look at this remarkably complete car and see if it will actually run! Then we take a look at the beautiful wood dash and an (apparently) very rare gauge option along with numerous other parts that came with the car. So what is in store for the newest addition to our stable of cars? We don’t really know yet, as this was an unplanned rescue that found us.

[@americanpatriot2422]

To all your followers you are a Hero for saving this beautiful car from being cut up or crushed. Beautiful car.

[@gbentley8176]

These are fantastic cars on the road. Please ensure it is restored. Excellent parts and Riley RM club in the UK.

[@naradaian]

I had one myself at University with a replacement Gold Seal factory engine…2.5 litre 18 miles per gallon but it would do 100mph too… UK Black Taxi tyres and original upright landrover street tyres fit them ….a gorgeous driver …mine had good wood and had had a respray and reroof all in black…..really great cars to drive

[@simon-oy6um]

Lovely classic cars must be restored 😮

[@ry491]

Here in the UK I had two of the 1,5 liter. The roof can be a problem . It's not metal underbeath . Just mesh and padding . The crank is hard to fix if it's worn. The bearings are white metal sprayed on . They have to be line bored. Difficult car to restore but when done they handle very well and the 2.5 is quite powerful . They have rack snd pinion steering and torsion bar front suspension . Rare over here but don't bring huge money . Good luck with it . Beautiful looking car .

[@IndridCool54]

Cool! Just found your channel. Thanks for saving it from being hacked up. My first car was a ‘57 Hillman Minx Estate and I also owned a ‘72 TR6, a ‘73 Spitfire and a 1967 RHD Mini Cooper. Hope someone will see the Riley as worth restoring. 👍🏼

[@mgbgtguy]

Welcome! If you haven’t already seen, we have a number of other British cars ( ‘74 mgbgt, 2 ‘71 mgbgt’s 1 being a v8 project, ‘79 Mgb roadster, ‘58 MGA coupe fastback project, 2 ‘79 tr 7’s, and an old Bugeye Sprite racer that’s waiting its turn) and I also work on them for other people. You never know what we will be working on, or sometimes buying 😁

[@PeteNewton-ik8by]

That thing is awesome; and a LHD! It would be fantastic to see it restored. Although, I have current project, let me know if you get bored with it. I’d entertain the idea.

[@rival1016]

Nice looking old riley..ive a 1953 rmf,the bigger version of this one,,,rot in the wooden frame is the main problem,the A posts,front of roof and rear window being one of the worst parts,,look forward to following this,,

[@steveoh9838]

That car has great lines. I would restore it. Would be worth a lot more than you would think... Or keep it. Bravo👍

[@mikeslater5338]

Thank You for the tour

[@ThomasPrior-wv6zn]

hi every one thanks for saving a true english car, i own a 1950 r m b 1 . 5 l she was a barn find. last on the road in 1973 tax disc on window says front ends great con rear end neads a lot of work , the barns roof leaked so rain , snow came down on the rear end very rusty , but shes a project so 3 - 4 years of work to get her back on road if you need any help i belong to the riley r m club uk . theres a club in u s a also most help full the riley isnt a ordinary run around shes class she as in her time up market, along with the jag police used them mostly 2.5 my riley has done 92, 000 , miles. so engines coming out and new rings will be fitted in the future so lenty to keep me busy thanks again for not scraping her thomas

[@nygelmiller5293]

To Thomas Prior Good luck with your car! One day you will be pleased, when your car " thanks you", by rewarding you with some lovely drives!

[@ThomasPrior-wv6zn]

@@nygelmiller5293 thank yesmyriley willstil be around long after iam in heaven thanks

[@rival1016]

The Riley club UK? The one that blackmails you into joining because they won't sell you any parts unless you join their club,,,yeah wouldnt recommend anyone like that,,

[@TheLostWrenchGarage]

Boy what a great looking car!! Wish I had the $$$ to restore something like this!

[@johnward9626]

A beautiful car.

[@rosasalas7208]

Yes, original Riley tachometers are very RARE! And you are very lucky to have a good original switch panel with all the original knobs. Some of these knobs look like standard knobs as used on say, an MGA, but the Riley ones are dark brown, and the ones from Moss Motors are black. The rarest knob that you have is the knob on the far right, I believe that that is for the hand throttle, but is NOT a push-pull knob. You rotate it clockwise increase the speed, counter clockwise to reduce speed. There is a little ball bearing in there that serves as a detent, so it rotates a quarter of a turn at a time. A very RARE part and easily broken! Be careful with it! Wiring harnesses are available from British wiring. Good thing the engine seems OK. The last one I had rebuilt cost 8K to do!

[@ianrenshaw6653]

A twin cam hemi! Nice!

[@nygelmiller5293]

To ianrenshaw. Oh my god - a HEMI engine!

[@user-do2rv4db9k]

I had the 1.5 litre version of this. They're beautiful cars and this should be saved, but don't underestimate the amount of work involved. You need to join the Riley RM club. They have a fantastic stock of parts. Either that, or try to sell it in the UK. Please understand it isn't worth a fortune in that condition.

[@metalman4141]

As lovely as these cars are they don’t command huge prices in the UK. I own a 1948 1 1/2 ltr in wonderful condition but would struggle to obtain more than £8500 here the classic car market seems to be focused on 70s/80s vehicles and the older stuff is struggling unfortunately.

[@mgbgtguy]

It’s surprising that they don’t bring more money than they do. Just goes to show that rarity doesn’t necessarily mean higher values

[@nygelmiller5293]

​@@mgbgtguyDon't forget, that rarity means that there will be LESS people aware of a car's existence - so less people would BID for it at an auction, and it would fetch less money, accordingly But when you put more and more work into it, you will form a personal attachment, and want to KEEP it! And you will deserve it, for being "its saviour"

[@nygelmiller5293]

I've never seen one here, in England, with a RED top! Only black ! You've got a rare one there, and the red does really look nice with the cream!

[@mgbgtguy]

It has obviously been replaced at one time as there is closed cell foam underneath, but yes I think the red looks good with the cream color body and red interior. It appears this car was originally black with red interior as I look at it.

[@user-ec5rj9oo6h]

worth saving there is an excellent club for these cars in Britain for advice

[@wordsmith52]

Rare in UK, extremely rare in U.S.A! Looks like it was lowered?

[@davearobb]

Lovely old Riley, must be worth restoring it would fetch a good price in the UK!

[@bshnabel]

Nice car

[@majorscope]

A great find and so lucky it runs. A huge difference to one that won't. Would be nice to just tidy it up and get it running right so leaving it much as it is. Take your point on the cost of a proper restoration. Prohibitive. Look forward to see some progress with it.

[@nygelmiller5293]

To majorscope Even a lighter restoration would make such a condition of car ideal for a MUSEUM, if it at least looks good!

[@naradaian]

The dials in my one were square and looked like parchment!

[@sulaimanjamal4391]

I have 2 Rileys in India. One car is complete- the other one under restoration. Need a few parts including hubcaps etc. Any leads will be appreciated

[@rscruiser3533]

It's a nice find ------ It doesn't look that bad ------ and with --So Much -- of it being there and firing it and running ----- I would hate to see it go to the Crushers too ----- pretty unique ---- looks like most of the seat material is there --- can take apart for patterns and make some new seat covers ---- it looks pretty solid in the fenders -- doors ----- if it is worth some and you just have so much to do --- make the seat covers ---- figure out what is making her pop back through the carbs ---- get her running --- a little clean-up ----- should have a nice -- Rare Car ---- Wonder how many are left (1952) and running ----- Some might think ---- A Riley Really ---- a Classic ------- Thank You for sharing the Mystery Car ------ Hope you have a Good week ----- Rodney

[@user-do2rv4db9k]

Don't forget these are built on a timber (ash) frame. If that's sound, I'd say it's a worthwhile project.

[@michaelstoliker971]

Sweet! Is that right hand drive?

[@mgbgtguy]

No, it’s a left hand drive American market car

[@hammerandhatchetengineerin4967]

Just make it a driver. Nice car

[@hammerandhatchetengineerin4967]

Also if you do sell I’m sure you would have better luck selling it in the UK,Australia ,New Zealand ,or close to home in Canada

[@dannyosborne3251]

Looking good… ready for BCDay?

[@mgbgtguy]

Absolutely…Not

[@soup1448]

Pick away at it and turn it into a driver. That would be cool and then you could decide if it’s for you or not

[@mgbgtguy]

That is definitely a temping idea… we’ll see

[@ThomasPrior-wv6zn]

edit my classic riley is a r m e not rmb

[@ralphkearton6798]

Don’t think that is the original motor Can only see one rocket cover. Should be 2

[@mgbgtguy]

There is two. It’s got the proper engine in it

[@ralphkearton6798]

Thks for that see see it now The inlet one is in the shade

[@ThomasPrior-wv6zn]

@@mgbgtguy look closer plugs are o n top not side as with a hemi ok hope it helps

[@simon-oy6um]

If you trash that car it will be a sin 😢

[@mgbgtguy]

Of course, you know the whole premise of this video is that .. I saved the car from.. getting trashed… right?

[@nygelmiller5293]

The tone of the engine sounds to me VERY ENGLISH!

[@mgbgtguy]

Yes, I think the SU’s have a lot to do with that

[@kennethbrennan2916]

Fix it, ive never seen one and I'm English. It will be worth more in the U.K .