1947 Riley RMA Drophead Coupe | Projects

1947 Riley RMA Drophead Coupe

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The Project

This 1947 Riley RMA Drophead Coupe arrived at our Carrosserie workshop in March 2024 for an engine overhaul to get the car back on the road.

Updates

19th March 2024: The engine has been taken out of the car to be stripped down and any parts are now to be identified for servicing and repair.

28th March 2024: The timing chains, sprockets, tensioner and oil pump are all in good condition. Pistons cleaned up nicely. Score marks on various bearings which will need further investigation. The big end and main bearings are being recast in white metal and the crankshaft is being reground as sits slightly ovalised. The valves, valve springs and valve guides are being replaced along with various studs and threads being replaced/retapped.

12th July 2024: Brakes seized on front near-side. NSF Wheel wont turn. Strip down to find cause. Cylinder seized solid, linings down through rivets, pull off springs shot.

Glaze busting cylinders before cleaning block. Crankshaft oil-ways cleaned out with small brushes.

19th July 2024: Fitting front main bearing. Oil spray pipe cleaned out and re-soldered. Main bearings fitted to crankshaft. Pistons, conrods etc, going together. Camshafts and associated parts.

30th July 2024: Engine has started to be rebuilt. Parts fitted include, pistons, crankshaft, conrods, camshaft, sprocket, gears etc. Engine block, sump pan, timing gear cover and cylinder head block have all been repainted.

28th August 2028: The engine rebuild is progressing and it should be completed soon.

2nd October 2024: The engine has now been fully recommissioned, assembled and fitted back into the car. Just a valet left to do, and it will be ready for the owner to collect.

> More updates to follow.

History

The RMA was the first Riley car to be manufactured after World War 2, introduced in 1945. A stylish and comfortable 55 BHP saloon for the post war period.

When it was announced to the public via the motoring press in August 1945 it was also referred to as the “New Riley Twelve”. Whilst development had been planned prior to the Second World War, the Riley factory and Design Office had been badly damaged during the conflict; therefore a completely redesigned model would emerge, ahead of the competition. It would continue the Riley pedigree of advanced design and performance, aimed at the discerning professional.

It was a sleek 4-door Saloon body, with seating for 5 people. It had a 4 cylinder 1496cc engine of the traditional Riley crossflow, high twin-cam design, driving through a 4-speed gearbox and torque-tube axle, with 16” wheels. The rigid steel-frame chassis supported the low-slung coach-built body which sported a “leather top” roof covering, opening split windscreen, leather seating (occasionally with Bedford Cord inserts) and a large boot by the standards of the day.

The rear suspension was via a pair of semi-elliptic leaf springs with anti-roll bar and lever-arm hydraulic dampers, whilst at the front the IFS employed double wishbones, longitudinal torsion bars and telescopic shock absorbers. This set-up together with an advanced rack and pinion steering unit gave the car exceptional road holding not surpassed until the modern era. Brakes were Girling Hydro-mechanical 10” diameter drums.

19th March 2024

28th March 2024

12th July 2024

19th July 2024

30th July 2024

28th August 2024

2nd October 2024

      All reviews
 4.9 
   Google
 4.8 
   Reviews.io
 5.0 
 
  
 
 
 
  Excellent4.964 reviews
 4.9
 Excellent64 reviews
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 Excellent4.825 reviews
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 Excellent5.039 reviews
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      Posted on Reviews.io  
   Simon Cocking 
 08/09/2026
 
 
 Verified Skilled craftsmen producing amazing work. The workshop is a treasure trove of motoring history!

Thanks for a great job!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Steven Parkes 
 12/07/2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Steve has helped me through some difficult situations throughout this restoration process. The car I bought was a total rot box, I had no idea. Nicola’s support with my finances has helped me get this car over the line. Don’t look elsewhere if you are serious about doing a restoration properly look no further.
  
 
     Posted on Reviews.io  
   Sean Bellew 
 12/06/2026
 
 
 Verified I recently had corrosion repairs carried out to both front wings on my Porsche 944 and I am extremely pleased with the quality of the workmanship.

The repairs involved cutting out the corroded sections and fabricating replacement metalwork rather than simply filling over the affected areas. The standard of fabrication and welding is excellent, with the repairs blending seamlessly into the original panels. The attention to detail is evident throughout the work, and the finished result looks completely in keeping with the car.

As an owner of a classic Porsche, preserving originality is important to me, and the repairs have been completed in a way that maintains the character and integrity of the vehicle. The paint finish and panel presentation are superb, and once completed it is virtually impossible to tell where the repairs have been carried out.

Overall, the craftsmanship is first-class and the car now looks significantly better than it did before the work was undertaken. If you are looking for high-quality metal fabrication and restoration work on a classic vehicle, I would have no hesitation in recommending them based on the quality of the finished product.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   David Kelly 
 15/05/2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Their work looks fantastic. Love the regular blogs.
  
 
     Posted on Reviews.io  
   Mark 
 30/04/2026
 
 
 Verified Excellent service and Neil’s knowledge is second to none. The wealth of experience resolved the issues with the carburettors ensuring I had an uneventful drive home and can now look forward to driving the car on the odd sunny days we call summer. Would recommend Carrosserie without hesitation.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   John Lonergan 
 09/03/2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service , top quality work , very friendly and helpful , i had a probem with no dipped headlights and a couple of nasty stonechips and despite  being very short notice they fitted me in the next day diagnosed the faults and while that was going on the paint guy sorted the stonechips , two hours later all completed .  I know these guys will take good care of my classic car and do an excellent job I've used them  before . Highly recommended .
  
 
     Posted on Reviews.io  
   Robert Montague 
 04/03/2026
 
 
 Verified The team at Carrosserie have done an excellent job . Focus on detail and quality of work
Fully responsive and engaging the client at all time . I will be giving them a further project and recommend them as a first class service
Thank you Steve and the Team, plus of course Neil 😎
  
 
     Posted on Reviews.io  
   Andrew Whittaker 
 04/10/2025
 
 
 Verified Reference: 1939 Rolls-Royce Wraith – Rewire.
I recently received my car back and I am absolutely delighted with their work. The rewiring has been completed to an exceptionally high standard, and it is evident that great skill and care went into the process.
  
 
     Posted on Reviews.io  
   J J Beeton 
 02/09/2025
 
 
 Verified 10 out of 10 
perfect restoration work on Jaguar XKR.
  
 
     Posted on Reviews.io  
   Keith Devonport 
 25/06/2025
 
 
 Verified I found the team at Carrosserie to be  friendly and helpful whilst maintaining an organised and professional approach towards the job in hand, they were also  able to incorporate extra work I asked for at the eleventh hour. Carrosserie kept to the 'booked in' start date for the work to commence and throughought the work cycle i was presented with photos and videos as the work progressed. I'm very happy with the finished job, thank you and well done Carrosserie.
  
 
     Posted on Reviews.io  
   Geoff Lowson 
 16/04/2025
 
 
 Verified I took my  Citroen 2CV for an assessment for a potential repair.   The manager Steve Liversedge was very accommodating  and staff were helpful and courteous and very professional in giving their advice.
  
 
     Posted on Reviews.io  
   Ian Carter 
 01/03/2025
 
 
 Verified A big thank you to the team who worked on my 20 year old BMW.   The car looks fantastic and the care and attention to detail tackling the rust that was in a most awkward place showed real desire for doing the best job possible.  Updates and photographs were given daily as the job progressed. 
Finally the customer care was second to none, and my job wasn't anything like a serious restoration. 
Thanks again.
Ian
  
 
     Posted on Reviews.io  
   Andrew Pyle 
 13/02/2025
 
 
 Verified Took my Escort XR3i to Carosserie for re-commissioning. Brakes, suspension, springs, shocks, general overhaul - some gaskets,polish etc. All staff very welcoming, professional from office staff to engineers. Took me through the car's inspection - lots of photos of work to be done, progress and work finished. Kept in touch via e-mail throughout project. Not cheap but you get what you pay for with old motors! Good luck with move to new premises.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Paul Simpson 
 08/06/2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I will let the pictures do the talking.

Attention to detail is second to none, very knowledgeable and skilled guys here at Carrosserie. All the staff are polite and very professional. Highly recommended.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Jeremy Roff 
 10/05/2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thanks to all at Carrosserie for managing to make my Jimny look perfect again. A great job.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Phil Sage 
 27/09/2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The work carried out here is like magic, the standard the cars leave is fantastic, the cars they restore are works of art !
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Catherine Lonergan 
 26/02/2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very Friendly always helpful staff
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Nigel Cramp 
 25/06/2022
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great friendly and helpful team at Carrosserie. Highly quality work. This is the second time I've used their services. Highly recommended if you want quality restoration or paint work.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Ian Roper 
 26/03/2022
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Neil who owns the company straight away gave me one of the best buying experiences I have ever had. He was nice to speak with giving me confidence in buying from him from the outset. This continued throughout the buying process with updates on the process of finance that he organised. Because of my working schedule being so hectic and having to juggle many parental duties. We were unable to get over to pick up the car in the week. Despite the company being closed on weekends, Neil went out of his way to meet me on a Saturday afternoon and even showed me around his amazing company. It was so clear to me that this is someone who is genuine, kind and cares about his company and customers in equal amounts. A truly rare thing in this day in age. I wouldn't hesitate to use his company myself in the future and would recommend him to friends and family in a heartbeat.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   John Royce 
 16/02/2022
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Outstanding choice of cars, superb restoration facilities from a very professional team. Highly recommended.
  
 
 
  
 
 
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