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 as the tooling was lost in Coventry’s blitz.
| Riley 12hp | |
|---|---|
 six-light saloon registered May 1939 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Riley (Coventry) Limited |
| Production | 1939-1940 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Wolseley 12-48 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1496 cm3[1] Sprite engine £25 extra |
| Transmission | 4 speed synchromesh (except on 1st) and torque tube[2] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase |
|
| Length | 4,343.4 mm (171 in)[1] |
| Width | 1,600.2 mm (63 in)[1] |
| Kerb weight | 1,219 kg (2,688 lb)[1] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Riley 1½-litre |
| Successor | Riley RMA |
| Riley 12 engine | |
|---|---|
| Layout | |
| Configuration | Straight 4-cylinder[1] |
| Displacement | 1,496 cc (91.3 cu in)[1] |
| Cylinder bore | 69 mm (2.72 in)[1] |
| Piston stroke | 100 mm (3.94 in)[1] |
| Block material | cast iron mounted on rubber cushions[2] |
| Valvetrain | overhead valves[1] set at 90 degrees operated by twin camshafts[2] |
| Combustion | |
| Fuel system | SU carburetter[1] |
| Cooling system | water[1] by pump and thermostat[2] |
| Output | |
| Power output |
|
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, but gave Riley the chance to utilise components from the Morris/Wolseley parts bin. This was one of three Riley models produced following that exercise until World War II put an end to Riley production
Design
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]
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