Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

exbmc · Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:57 pm Post subject: Riley Riviera

Having posted a couple of times today, about "the old days" and many memories of different cars I have worked on, I thought about the Riley Riviera. This car came in two or three times a year, and was basically a 4/68 or maybe a 4/72, farina styled, but the rear fins were scalloped out instead of peaked. We were told it was an export model, and never had any specific manuals or any paperwork at all. There was no "google" then, so it was always a mystery. Never a problem, as it was similar to the 4/68/72 types. The engine was said to be to MGA tune, and it certainly sounded good when accelerating, as the roar through it's Vokes pancake air filters was loud. Never saw another, either. Does anyone have any more information on this one?

Uncle Alec · Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 734 Location: Manchester

It was a BMC dealer in ?Wiltshire? who had the standard 4/72 tarted up with a number of (bolt-on) upgrades such as wire wheels, disc brakes (ex-MG I think) and I believe an MGB engine and o/d box. My memory may be playing up (and I have just come back from the local) but that's it in essence.
When I sober up I may dig into my Riley archive and sort some more info.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22446 Location: UK

I went to someone's place over Stockport way maybe 4 or 5 years ago, and he had a Riviera in his back garden under a tarp. Not sure whether he still has it or not?????????????

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victor 101 · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 446 Location: East Yorkshire

The Riviera conversion was done by Salisbury and came in three different guises, each package giving a different stage of tune, brake upgrade etc.
http://www.co-oc.org/Riviera.html takes you to the Oxford owners club site which goes into more detail.

P3steve · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 2:38 pm Post subject:

anyone got a photo of one as I've know idea what one looks like

SV8Predator · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 7:38 pm Post subject:

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exbmc · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 11:07 am Post subject: Riley Riviera

Thanks to all for the information, and modification options. As I previously said, we just thought it was for export, and never saw any paperwork for it at all. Memory may be fading, but I cannot remember "ours" having the wire wheels? At least I know a bit more about it now. Oh, I can hear the roar from those Vokes air filters now! A modern family Focus would leave it standing, but it seemed so rapid in the 60's.