Riley RMF - Last of the "Real Rileys"

As mentioned here, the Riley car manufacturing firm lost its independence in 1938, having been purchased by the Nuffield Organisation (i.e. Morris).

Perhaps due to wartime diversions for Britain's automobile industry, Riley was not fully integrated into Morris at war's end.  In fact, very shortly after the war, the first of Riley's RM series appeard, but carried over pre-Morris features.  Morris-based Rileys did not appear until the Gerald Palmer-designed Pathfinders arrived in 1953, as I posted here.

Today's post deals with the RMF of 1952-1953, the final 2.5-liter RM model.

Although its styling features were pre- World War 2, RMF proportions and shaping were attractive.  One of my reference books A Nostalgic Look at Riley Cars mentions (page 27) that the styling was by Eric Holmes and Eric Carter.

Below are some images for your viewing pleasure.

Gallery

1953 Riley RMF 2.5 saloon - for-sale car

1953 Riley RMF 2.5 saloon - for-sale car
This image and the next show a car with silver matte paint.  Not original paint, but this finish lacks highlights, allowing us to better understand the body sculpting.

Top coverings were standard on RM saloons.

1953 Riley RMF 2.5 saloon - images via Hemmings
Now for a few casual views of two other RMFs.

This car has tan-color top cover -- black was most common.

1953 Riley RMF 2.5 saloon - Historics Auctioneers photos

RMFs had substantial rear bumpers formed to frame the license plate.