Riley’s RM series of cars began production immediately after the Second World War; their Coventry factory’s output having been turned over to war-work during the conflict.

Although heavily influenced by pre-war designs, the RMA saloon was the first genuine new post-war model from the British car industry, but it still employed the Riley 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine developed in the late ‘30s.

A year later the RMA was joined in the line-up by the lengthened 2.5-litre “big four” RMB saloon and in the late ‘40s by two soft-top models also with the larger engine; the RMC two-seat roadster (largely aimed at the US market) and a longer RMD drophead (or cabriolet), like you see here.

The “big four” produced 100 hp and in its day was good for at least 90 mph.

Whilst around 28,000 RM saloons were produced - only around 500 each of the RMC and RMD models were built, with production of both ending in 1951.

Already part of the Nuffield organisation, Riley production was moved to Abingdon (alon...