A Scottish Riley Joins the Family
There is a rather elegant new lady joining the LT Land Rover family…
With her sweeping wings, wonderfully distinctive Riley grille, split windscreen and beautifully appointed interior, this classic Riley RME will bring an entirely different sort of character to our wedding fleet.
Already at home in Scotland, she comes to us having been greatly loved by her previous owner, who did not simply keep her tucked away for special occasions — he enjoyed her as his daily driver.
A former RAF military engineer, he also completed a full nut-and-bolt restoration. With the precision, patience and pursuit of perfection you might expect from someone with his background, careful attention was given to every part of the car. From her handsome two-tone bodywork and gleaming chrome to her green leather seats and beautifully finished wooden interior, his affection for her can be seen throughout.
The Riley story began in Coventry, where the company became known for combining sporting engineering with distinctively British elegance. Introduced in 1952 as an evolution of the earlier RMA, the RME belonged to Riley’s celebrated post-war RM family — among the final cars developed in the true Riley tradition before the marque became part of the wider British Motor Corporation.
RME production took place at Abingdon, at the MG works. Although unmistakably traditional in appearance, its engineering was remarkably accomplished for its time. The steel-panelled body was built around a handcrafted ash frame and mounted upon a separate steel chassis, blending coachbuilt construction with more modern road manners.
Beneath the bonnet sits Riley’s characterful 1,496cc four-cylinder engine. Its distinctive “high-cam” design places twin camshafts high in the cylinder block, operating the valves through short pushrods. In standard form, with a single SU carburettor, it produced around 55bhp.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox, while rack-and-pinion steering and independent front suspension using double wishbones and torsion bars gave the RME unusually precise handling. Fully hydraulic Girling drum brakes were another important improvement introduced with the model.
Later RME cars received Riley’s handsome “New Look” styling, with flowing front wings incorporating the headlamps, built-in fog lamps, disappearing running boards and removable rear-wheel spats. The result was graceful, dignified and just a little dramatic — precisely what one hopes for from a wedding car!
Her next chapter will begin at our sister location in Stranraer, where she will be carefully prepared for her new role. From 2028, she will join the wedding fleet and become available for celebrations throughout Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire and Glasgow.
Whether waiting outside a little country kirk, sweeping along a tree-lined drive or carrying newlyweds beside the waters of Loch Ryan, we think she will look perfectly at home.
She may not be a Land Rover, but with her distinguished British heritage, engineering pedigree and RAF connection, we feel she belongs in the family already.
Welcome to the family, old girl. We cannot wait to see where your next journey takes you!