Riley Pathfinder (RMH). (1953-57)

Riley Pathfinder (GSJ308)

Riley Pathfinder (RLY999) Prototype?

Riley Pathfinder




The Pathfinder was designed as a credible replacement for the strong-selling, in Riley terms, RMB/RMF series. Officially termed RMH (RMG was to be the RME's replacement), but renamed Pathfinder - Ditchfinder by owners... - by BMC. At the same time, Nuffield (the project was planned before the BMC merger) was trying to rationalize, by designing one car, and selling it as both a Riley and Wolsley (The 6/90).

The car was launched in 1953, and sold 5152 examples until 1957, but didn't reach BMC's expectations. One problem was that the Riley and Wolseley models both had different engines, gearboxes and trim, making the car overly expensive to produce.
This resulted in a minor facelift, and the insertion of the BMC C-series 2.6, 6-cylinder engine, instead of Riley's Big-Four engine. This created the Two-Point-Six of 1957.

ENGINE

High camshafts and push-rod 90-deg ohv
2443cc 16hp 4cyl
Bore 80.5mm Stroke 120mm
110bhp at 4,400rpm
Compression ratio 7.25:1
Carburation 2 H4 SU

TRANSMISSION

Overall gear ratios.
1st 13.59:1 2nd 8.45:1
3rd 5.88:1 4th 4.1:1
Reverse 18.42:1
Overdrive available from March 1956.
Automatic from Summer '56.

SUSPENSION

Independent Torsion Beam Front
Semi Elliptic Rear
(Some Early models had coil sprung rear.)

BRAKES

Servo-assisted hydraulic brakes
12in drums.

PERFORMANCE

0-50mph 11.7sec
Standing ¼mile 20.8secs
Max Speed 100mph
Fuel Consumption 19.5mpg

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase 9'5.5" (aprx 2880mm)
Length 15'3.5" (aprx 4640mm)
Width 5'7" (aprx 1680mm)
Height 5' (aprx 1500mm)
Turning Circle 35'6"
Tyres 6.0x16
Weight 30.5cwt
Fuel Tank

PRICE