Riley Two-Point-Six

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Riley Two-Point-Six
Riley Two Point Six Saloon 1959.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer BMC
Production1957–59
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door saloon
Powertrain
Engine C.26.R C-Series Straight-6
Dimensions
Wheelbase 113+12 inches (2,880 mm)
Length185 inches (4,700 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor Riley Pathfinder
Successor Riley 4/68 [1]

The Riley Two-Point-Six is an automobile produced by British Motor Corporation Limited (BMC) from August 1957 until 1959. [2] [3] It replaced the Pathfinder as Riley's flagship model when it was announced on 23 August 1957. [4] While its predecessor retained the renowned Riley four-cylinder twin-cam cross-flow engine, coil rear suspension and gearbox, the Two-Point-Six was virtually identical to the Wolseley Six-Ninety Series III. It featured both monotone and duotone paintwork, as did the last of the Pathfinders. As per the Wolseley Six-Ninety Series III, right hand drive cars with a manual gearbox had a right hand gear lever; LHD cars a left hand gear lever. [2] An automatic transmission and an overdrive for the manual gearbox were available as options. [2]

Externally the most obvious differences from the Pathfinder were the bonnet arrangement – while the Pathfinder's grille lifted with the bonnet, the Two-Point-Six, in common with the 6/90, had a fixed grille – and the wheel arches having a raised edge.

It used the BMC C-Series straight-6, an engine that produced 101 hp (75 kW). This was actually less than the 2½ Litre Riley "Big Four" straight-four engine it replaced. The Two-Point-Six was sold to a specific clientele and was never intended to be mass-produced. [2] It sold at the same pro-rata rate as the previous Riley Pathfinder until the end of production [2] in May 1959. It was the last large Riley, although BMC kept the badge alive in replacing it with the Farina-styled Riley 4/68, similar to the Wolseley 15/60 and MG Magnette. [1]

Engine:

first registered 26 September 1957 Riley two-point-six 1957 207 CWL crop.jpg
first registered 26 September 1957

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References

  1. 1 2 Robson, Graham (1987). The Cars of BMC. London: Guild Publishing. p. 210.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Bridges, Jeffrey; Peal, Bernie (2017). Wolseley Six-Ninety: A Super Profile. Birmingham, UK: Wolseley Register. ISBN   9780956967633.
  3. Robson (1987), p. 208
  4. New B.M.C. Models. The Times, Friday, 23 Aug 1957; pg. 11; Issue 53927
  5. Sales brochure: The new Riley Two-Point-Six. Oxford, UK: Riley Motors Ltd. 1957.