Equipment
RHD. 2443cc/100hp four with dual SU carbs, white steel wheels with hub caps, Avon blackwall tires, dual wing mirrors, burgundy vinyl boot cover, suicide doors, banjo steering wheel, Jaeger dash clock, wood dash and window trim.
Condition
#3 Good
Runs and drives well. Flaws not noticeable to passersby. Most common condition.
Numerous cracks at the front of the bonnet and long ones on the tail. Faded paint overall. Decent older bumper chrome and fairly tired older brightwork. Sound older wood. Very good upholstery. Tidy underneath. Body was fitted to a 1.5-liter RMA chassis before being put onto this RMB during restoration in the 1990s. Used and certainly showing its age. Offered from the BHA Automobile Museum.
Market commentary
A rare, elegant open-top British automobile, but Riley doesn't have the same kind of rich history or sporting pedigree that a Jaguar or a Healey does and quickly became forgotten after World War II. That the proceeds of this sale went to benefit medical institutions like Johns Hopkins likely contributed to the motivation behind bidding here, because half of the $52,800 final price would seem like a more realistic result for a rebodied RMB in this condition.