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]

Riley Two-Point-Six
Overview
ManufacturerBMC
Production1957–59
Body and chassis
Body style4-door saloon
Powertrain
EngineC.26.R C-Series Straight-6
Dimensions
Wheelbase113+12 inches (2,880 mm)
Length185 inches (4,700 mm)
Chronology
PredecessorRiley Pathfinder
SuccessorRiley 4/68[1]

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

References

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  1. ^ a b Robson, Graham (1987). The Cars of BMC. London: Guild Publishing. p. 210.
  2. ^ a b c d e 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.