Riley Car Books - History and Models

Riley Cars 1896-1969

Riley is one of the most famous British car manufacturers and this book covers the entire history of the company, from its early beginnings as a bicycle manufacturer to ownership by the British Motor Corporation (BMC).
The author describes each of the Riley models during its long development, from the pre-1926 models, through the Riley 9 light sporting car, the straight-six models and the Specials to the BMC Rileys.
Discover the various engineering firsts that were achieved by Riley, including engine innovations such as mechanically operated cylinder valves, and which helped Riley to become not only an established car manufacturer but also successful in rallies and on the racing circuit.

Having made its mark in the history of British car manufacturing, Riley suffered from badge engineering under BMC, losing its identity in Austin and Morris designs and also against MG and Wolseley.
Despite this, it continues to be a treasured marque, now owned by BMW. Accompanied by superb colour photographs of all the Riley models, this book tells you all you need to know about this great British motoring name.

Riley & Wolseley Cars of the 1950s, 1960s & 1970s - A Pictorial History

This comprehensive and informative colour guide covers Riley cars built between 1953 and 1969, and Wolseley models built from 1948, to the end of Wolseley production in 1975.
With both marques eventually became part of BMC, this informative history, with detailed model-by-model comparisons and technical information, is an essential guide for all Riley and Wolseley fans, and British marque enthusiasts in general.

Covers Riley cars produced during the BMC era, including: Pathfinder; Two-Point-Six; One-Point-Five Mk 1, Mk 2 and Mk 3; Elf Mk 1, Mk 2 and Mk 3; Kestrel 1100 Mk 1 and Mk 2; Kestrel 1300 Mk 1 and Mk 2; 4/Sixty Eight; amd 4/Seventy Two.

Covers Wolseley's later cars, produced during from 1948 to 1975, including the following models: 6/80; 4/50; 4/44; 15/50; 6/90 Series 1, Series 2 and Series 3; 1500 Mk 1, Mk 2 and Mk 3; Hornet Mk 1, Mk2 and Mk3; 1100 Mk 1 and Mk 2; 1300 Mk 1, Mk 2 and Mk 3; 15/60; 16/60; 6/99; 6/110 Mk 1 and Mk 2; 18/85 Mk 1 and Mk 2; Six; and 18/22.

Does not cover pre-1953 Riley models or pre-1948 Wolseley models.

Riley RM Series Pathfinder & 2.6 (1945-1959) - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book about the Riley RM and 2.6 Models from the years 1945-1959. Describes the Riley RMA, RMB, RMC, RMD, RME, RMF, Pathfinder and the Two-Point -Six.

• The 93 articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

▶  More information on the Brooklands Portfolio books

Riley- The Legendary RMs

Riley, with its slogan 'As Old as the Industry - As Modern as the Hour' is one of the great names of the British motor industry, with a history of producing up-market sporting cars, the attributes of which are still widely cherished.

This book describes the RM series, which came out immediately after the Second World War. It was highly-successful, combining mechanical innovations, like independent front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering, with traditional coachbuilding qualities.
The four-door sporting saloons in 1-litre and 2-litre versions were fast, comfortable cars with notably good roadholding. The 2-litre was especially quick, being able to exceed 90mph, something that few cars of the time could achieve.

Drophead coupe and roadster versions followed, with less success, and the RM line ended with the ill-fated Pathfinder model, a result of mismanagement by Rileys owners, BMC.

Farina MG and Riley Saloons

NEW

The MG and Riley saloons, based on the BMC Morris Oxford body, followed the successful MG Magnette ZA and ZB. Launched in November 1958, the Mk III combined various components, including the engine, gearbox, and rear axle from the ZB model, built on an A55 floor pan.
The standard versions included four models: the Austin A55 Mk II, Morris Oxford Series 5, Wolseley 15/60, and Riley 4. These models were updated in January 1961, with the MG Magnette Mk3 and Mk4, and Riley 4/68 and 4/72 representing the premium versions.

In this book, MG expert Neil Cairns explores the history of these controversial cars, which were criticized at launch for "badge engineering." Despite initial backlash, they set a precedent, as badge-engineered models later became common. While the Riley and MG saloons lacked the performance and handling of earlier MG Magnette models, they are significant in the histories of MG, Riley, Morris, and Austin.

British Leyland - The Cars, 1968-1986

In 1968, British Leyland brought together most of Britain's motor manufacturers, with the intention of creating a robust unified group that could equal the strength of the big European conglomerates. But this was not to be.

There have been many books about the politics and the business activities of British Leyland, but "British Leyland - The Cars, 1968 - 1986" looks deliberately at the cars that came from the company, both the models it inherited and it created.

The eighteen years of the corporation's existence saw a confusing multitude of different car types, but this book resolves these confusions, clarifying who built what, and when.
The book takes 1986 as its cut-off point because this was the year that the old British Leyland ceased to exist and what was left of the car and light commercial business was renamed the Rover Group.