Riley 12

The Riley 12 was a medium-sized premium priced saloon or drophead coupé (also available as a bare chassis) which was available from mid 1939 though it was not announced by The Motor magazine as a new car until July 1939.[4] Production ended in 1940 and the model was not revived after the war.

Riley 12hp
six-light saloon
registered May 1939
Overview
ManufacturerRiley (Coventry) Limited
Production1939-1940
Body and chassis
Body style
  • 6-light saloon
  • 2-door drophead coupé
  • chassis only
LayoutFR layout
RelatedWolseley 12-48
Powertrain
Engine1496 cm3[1] Sprite engine £25 extra
Transmission4 speed synchromesh (except on 1st) and torque tube[2]
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • 2,743.2 mm (108 in)
  • track 1,308.1 mm (51.5 in)[1]
Length4,343.4 mm (171 in)[1]
Width1,600.2 mm (63 in)[1]
Kerb weight1,219 kg (2,688 lb)[1]
Chronology
PredecessorRiley 1½-litre
SuccessorRiley RMA
Riley 12 engine
Layout
ConfigurationStraight 4-cylinder[1]
Displacement1,496 cc (91.3 cu in)[1]
Cylinder bore69 mm (2.72 in)[1]
Piston stroke100 mm (3.94 in)[1]
Block materialcast iron mounted on rubber cushions[2]
Valvetrainoverhead valves[1] set at 90 degrees operated by twin camshafts[2]
Combustion
Fuel systemSU carburetter[1]
Cooling systemwater[1] by pump and thermostat[2]
Output
Power output
  • 51 bhp (38 kW; 52 PS) @4800 rpm[3]
  • Tax horsepower 11.81

Bankruptcy

Directly after the bankruptcy of Riley, the company's assets came into the hands of the Nuffield Corporation which drastically pruned and rationalized the Riley model range, utilizing components from the Morris/Wolseley parts bin. This was one of two Riley models produced following that exercise until World War II put an end to Riley production

Design

The car might be loosely described as a Wolseley 12/48 with a Riley radiator shell, helmet-style front mudguards and a bigger boot. Springs were semi-elliptic fore and aft. Brakes were by Girling with the hand-set (handbrake) only on the back. Steering was by Bishop Cam, the column adjustable for length.[2] The engine was an updated version of the one previously seen in the 1935 Riley 12/4 model.

Road test

John Prioleau reviewed the car for The Observer. He described it as a compact car but not crowded, with plenty of room for four full-sized people. Front seats a little too upright. Nicest looking dashboard on any 1939 car. This saloon is not fast but it can cruise within 5 mph of its maximum (he reached an indicated 67 mph). The steering was light and responsive.[2]
gollark: Really? I think it's quite hard to write good things.
gollark: China is UTC+8, so it's 9pm-5am there.
gollark: (Due to time zones)
gollark: It's 9pm-5am somewhere in the world.
gollark: ↑

References
  1. David Culshaw and Peter Horrobin, The Complete Catalogue of British Cars 1895-1975, Veloce, Dorchester, 1997 ISBN 9781874105930
  2. The New 12 Riley, Prioleau, John. The Observer, 27 Aug 1939: 20
  3. Rileyrob accessed 27 May 2016
  4. Riley 12 & 16, The Motor magazine 4 July 1939
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