Riley One-Point-Five
Riley One-Point-Five Wolseley 1500 | ||
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Curb weight 2,072 lb (940 kg) | | |
Chronology | ||
Predecessor | Riley RME/Wolseley 15/50 | |
Successor | Riley Kestrel/Wolseley 1100/1300 |
The Riley One-Point-Five and similar Wolseley 1500 are
Model series
Series 1
The two models were differentiated by nearly 20 hp (15 kW), the Riley having twin
Series 2
The Series II was released in May 1960. The most notable external difference was the hidden boot and bonnet hinges. Interior storage was improved with the fitting of a full width parcel shelf directly beneath the fascia.[6]
Series 3
The Series III was introduced in October 1961, featuring revisions to the grille and front and rear lights.
In October 1962 the cars received the more robust crank, bearing and other details of the larger 1,622 cc unit now being fitted in the Austin Cambridge and its "Farina" styled clones. Unlike the Farina models, however, the Wolseley 1500 and Riley One-Point-Five retained the 1,489cc engine size with which they had been launched back in 1957.[6]
Production volumes
Production ended in 1965 with 19,568 Rileys and 103,394 Wolseleys made.[7]
Gallery
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1961 Wolseley 1500 Saloon
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1959 Riley One-Point-Five
Engines
- 1.2 L (1200 cc) I4, Irish Market only (Wolseley)
- 1.5 L (1489 cc) I4, 50 bhp (37 kW) (Wolseley) & 68 bhp (51 kW) (Riley
Differences
The One-Point-Five and its 1500 sibling had a number of differences, with the Wolseley generally being the less well-equipped model:
- Engine - The Riley benefited from twin 1½ inch SU H4 carburettors while the Wolseley was fitted with a single 1¼ inch SU carburettor. The cylinder head on the Riley was also slightly sportier to help with the power increase.
- Exterior - The front panel and grille looks similar on both cars, but is different. The stainless trim along the side of the cars is also different.
- Interior - Both cars received wooden dashboards. While the Riley had a full complement of gauges (speedometer, tachometer, and temp/oil/fuel) placed directly in front of the driver, the Wolseley made do with only the speedometer and temp/oil/fuel gauges, which were placed in the centre of the dashboard. The Riley was fitted with leather seats, while the Wolseley was often fitted with lower quality Rexine in its Fleet model.
- Brakes - The Riley was equipped with a larger Girling braking system, while the Wolseley received a smaller Lockheed system. The Girling brakes on the Riley One-Point-Five were often sought out by Morris Minor owners looking for a way to upgrade their brakes.
Performance
A Wolseley 1500 was tested by the British magazine
A Riley One-Point-Five was tested by the British magazine
In its day, the Riley was successfully raced and rallied and can still be seen today in historical sporting events.
Australian production
North American exports
1959 Series I Riley One-Point-Fives were exported to North America by BMC in an attempt to capitalize on the growing imported car market. While not a sales success, a number of the cars remain on the road in the hands of collectors. As was a common practice in many jurisdictions, some cars were titled as 1960 model year cars because that was the year of their initial registration.
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Riley 1.5 LHD Dashboard
Running changes
The badging for the One-Point-Five was changed early on in Series I production, after car number 4861 and before 6353. The earlier cars have smaller badges on the front wings and the boot lid. The later cars use simpler, larger badges with a different design and typeface.
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Early (left) & Late (right) Badges
References
- ^ BMC-Leyland Heritage Group, Building Cars in Australia, 2012, page 213
- ^ "Knowing your Riley one point five". Practical Motorist. 7. (nbr 83): 1162–1163. July 1961.
- ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
- ^ The Motor. 17 April 1957.
- ^ First Appearance Of New Riley. The Times, 8 November 1957; page. 17; Issue 53993
- ^ a b c "Used cars on test: 1962 Riley one-point-five". Autocar. 126. Vol. (nbr 3713). 13 April 1967. pp. 62–63.
- ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.
- The Motor. 11 January 1961.
- ^ a b c d e BMC in Australia, as archived at web.archive.org