Highlights
- Professional cabriolet conversion carried out as part of an extensive restoration
- The conversion was carried out and accepted as part of the German TÜV approval process
- Restored bodywork, including underbody, with extensive photo documentation
- Braking system overhauled as part of the German TÜV inspection
- German TÜV inspection valid until April 2028
The Appeal
The Riley RM series occupies a fascinating chapter in post-war British motoring. Born out of adversity, the Riley factory in Coventry was partially destroyed during the Blitz in 1940. The RM cars represented a determined fresh start, pairing a refined 1,496cc four-cylinder engine with elegant, traditionally crafted coachwork and sophisticated torsion-bar independent front suspension. The RMA, the smaller-engined variant, has long been admired for its blend of mechanical ingenuity and understated charm.
This 1950 example offers something rather unusual: a right-hand drive RMA that has been professionally converted from its original saloon configuration into a cabriolet, a transformation undertaken as part of an extensive restoration, and accepted as part of the German TÜV approval process. The conversion has been carried out with evident respect for the car's original design and proportions, integrating cleanly into the RMA's lines. A custom-made fabric soft top completes the picture. Beneath the skin, the bodywork, including the underbody, has been restored with cavity sealing. Inside, the cabin blends newly manufactured components with retained period elements carrying authentic age-related patina. A bolted reinforcement roll bar in the former B-pillar area was fitted to satisfy German TÜV structural requirements for the cabriolet conversion.
Having spent recent years stored in a heated showroom, the car arrives on the market with a German TÜV inspection valid until April 2028. This characterful Riley presents a compelling opportunity for those drawn to post-war British motoring at its most engaging.
History and Paperwork
- 1950 Riley RMA, right-hand drive
- Originally left the factory as a saloon; later professionally converted to a cabriolet as part of an extensive restoration
- The conversion was carried out and accepted as part of the German TÜV approval process
- German registration documents present
- Stored in a heated showroom environment in recent years
- Showing 63,740 miles, not warranted
- German TÜV inspection valid until April 2028
The Condition
- Two-tone maroon over black colour scheme; grey soft-top roof
- Sephamore-style indicators
- Jaeger dials
- Cream leather interior with wood trim elements
- Maroon wheels with Kumho whitewall tyres
- The vendor describes a high-quality paint finish over a restored body structure, with cavity sealing carried out as part of the restoration
- Fabric soft top was custom-made
- Several interior components, including the wooden dashboard and window frame trims, were newly manufactured and recreated as close to original as possible due to parts availability
- Original elements such as switches, instruments, and some chrome parts (e.g. door handles) have been retained and show age-related patina
- A reinforcement roll bar was bolted (not welded) in the area of the former B-pillar for German TÜV approval
- Interior presents a balanced combination of restored and original components
The Mechanics
- 1.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine
- Four-speed manual transmission
- Braking system overhauled as part of the German TÜV inspection process
- Engine runs cleanly and the gearbox shifts properly
- The engine may require some attention after longer periods of standing, but once warmed up, the seller notes it starts reliably and runs smoothly
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