Riley Two-Point-Six
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| Riley Two-Point-Six | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | BMC |
| Production | 1957–59 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door saloon |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | C.26.R C-Series Straight-6 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 113+1⁄2 inches (2,880 mm) |
| Length | 185 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:
- 2.6 L (2639 cc) C-Series straight-6, 101 hp (75 kW)[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Robson, Graham (1987). The Cars of BMC. London: Guild Publishing. p. 210.
- ^ a b c d e Bridges, Jeffrey; Peal, Bernie (2017). Wolseley Six-Ninety: A Super Profile. Birmingham, UK: Wolseley Register. ISBN 9780956967633.
- ^ Robson (1987), p. 208
- ^ New B.M.C. Models. The Times, Friday, 23 Aug 1957; pg. 11; Issue 53927
- ^ Sales brochure: The new Riley Two-Point-Six. Oxford, UK: Riley Motors Ltd. 1957.