Riley 12/4
12/4 with Falcon body
registered March 1935
Overview
ManufacturerRiley
Production1935-1938
AssemblyCoventry, England
DesignerPercy & Stanley Riley
Body and chassis
ClassMidsize sports saloon and until 1938 2-seater
Body styleSaloon, Tourer, Two-Seater, Racer
Powertrain
Engine1,496 cc (91.3 cu in) Straight 4 OHV
TransmissionPreselector, crash box, manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase106 in (2,692 mm), 109 in (2,769 mm) or 112 in (2,845 mm)[1]
Width58 in (1,473 mm) to 61 in (1,549 mm) [2]
Chronology
PredecessorRiley 12/6
SuccessorRiley One-Point-Five

The Riley 12/4, or from 1936 the Riley 1½-litre, is a range of cars made from 1935 to 1938 by the British Riley company available with saloon, touring, and sports/racing coachwork,

Engineering

The car is powered by a four-cylinder 1,496 cc (91.3 cu in) "12/4 Engine" with one or two Zenith carburettors. Designed by Hugh Rose, it was based on the Riley Nine engine but with some significant changes including the cylinder block and crankcase being cast as one unit. It was advanced for its day with twin camshafts mounted high in the engine block, cross flow head on some versions, and Zenith or twin SU carburettors.

Engine in a 1935 Adelphi saloon

Production of the engine continued until 1955 and also powered cars sold under these model names in these model years:

The chassis had half-elliptic leaf springs all round and drive was to the rear wheels through either a four-speed preselector or manual gearbox.[2] Girling rod brakes were fitted. Three different wheelbases were made and two track options of 48 in (1,219 mm) on most versions or 51 in (1,295 mm) on the 1936 Adelphi, Continental and Kestrel saloons.[1]

Coachwork

At launch three body styles were available: the Kestrel 4 light fastback saloon, the Falcon saloon and the Lynx open tourer. In 1936 the Kestrel became a six light, the Falcon was replaced by the Adelphi six light saloon and the Continental touring saloon was introduced.

1934 12/4 with Kestrel body

References

  1. 1 2 Sedgwick, M; Gillies (1989). A–Z of cars of the 1930s. UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-38-9.
  2. 1 2 Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
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