RILEY - RM PRODUCTION FIGURES
as Old as the Industry, as modern as the HourTotal RM Series production.
Unlike with the pre-war cars, it is not so easy to identify annual production figures, although total figures are known. However, the Chassis Numbering started off following the pattern from before the war:- The 3 identifies a 1½ car (5 was used for the 2½).
In 1950 they changed to 4 and 6 respectively. - The 5 indicated the year - 1945, RMBs started in 1946 (6).
- The S indicates a Saloon; D=DHC; SS=3-seat Roadster; 2S= 2-seat Roadster. Some 1½ DHCs were built, but no Roadsters.
Although some cars must have been sold as Chassis - as some station Wagons / Estates and outside bodied DHCs were built - there is no suggestion of an alternative letter for them. - 10001 is the Chassis Number:
- RMAs ran from 10001-20504
- RMBs ran from 2001-9910
- RMCs started at 2802 (running with RMBs)
- RMDs started at 5006 (also running with RMBs)
- In 1952 The system changed to the prefix of RME or RMF - all cars were of course saloons.
- RMEs ran from 20505-23950 (styling revision from #21855)
- RMFs ran from 9911-10960
| Years | Model | Chassis Type | Total |
| 1945-51 | RMA 1½ Litre Saloon RMA 1½ Litre Drophead | 35S - 41S 36D - 41D | 10,504 |
| 1946-52 | RMB 2½ Litre Saloon | 56S - 62S | 6,900 |
| 1948-52 | RMC 2½ Litre 3 Seat Roadster RMC 2¨½ Litre 2 Seat Roadster | 58SS - 61SS 582S - 612S | 507 |
| 1948-51 | RMD 2½ Litre Drophead | 58D - 61D | 502 |
| 1952-5 | RME 1½ Litre Saloon | RME | 3,446 |
| 1952-3 | RMF 2½ Litre Saloon | RMF | 1,050 |
| 1953-7 | Pathfinder | M- | 5,152 |
The Pathfinders Chassis number related more closely to the 'standard' Nuffield / BMC markings, although there was not yet an 'R' to identify it as a Riley(!):
- The M indicated a Pathfinder!
- The A Indicated a Saloon - K was for Chassis.
- The E was the Paint colour:
A= Black; B= Grey; C= Red; D=Blue; E= Green; F=Beige; G= Brown; H= CKD - The 1 Indicates a RHD Car for the Home market; 2= RHD for export; 3=LHD; 4=North American; 5=CKD L or RHD.
- The second 1 indicates the Paint Finish!
1=synthetic; 2=Synobel (a Brand name finish); 3=Cellulose; 4=Mettalic; 5=CKD Primer. - And finally, the 501 is the chassis number itself, running from 501-5652.