The Riley RMC 2.5 litres, from 1949, registration number ON-12-77, belongs to Gerard Bretterbaver, an Austrian who lives in Madeira with his family, in Santa Cruz, where he has the "Quinta dos Artistas".
This project experiences and accommodation for travellers in an environmental, social and artistic ambience, based on the ideals and values of this family.
This car is a roadster of the 4 Riley RM 2.5 l 100 hp models. Of the 473 produced, around 120 were left-hand drive, 25 of which are still available but only 12 are roadworthy, like Gerard Bretterbaver's Riley. This car was purchased at the O Porto Museum, where it was in a storage room. Historically, in 1953, the vehicle was involved in a fire in New York. Since then, it had never been repaired or restored, until it was bought from a French dealer who acquired it from the museum. After acquiring it, Gerard Bretterbaver sent what was left of the Riley to Funchal. Fortunately, there was only 40,000 miles on the milometer. Therefore, over the course of 5 years, it underwent a complete nut and bolt restoration. He admits that the most complicated part was the structure itself, as under the steel and aluminium surface, there was still a wooden frame which had almost been completely destroyed by fire. The result of the restoration was revealed in 2018, with its participation in the Madeira Classic Car Revival, having been elected the most elegant car at the event. After an evaluation by the Riley RM Club in the UK, it is now considered to be one of the best Riley RMC's in the world. In addition to this model, Gerard Bretterbaver has a Riley RMB from 1948 and 2 Riley RMDs (4 Drophead seats), 5 Citroen 2CV (all Portuguese productions) and 1 Lada Niva Factory Prototype from 1981, exhibited at the World Car Exhibition 1981, in Madrid. The cabriolet never made it to the production line. The Riley RMC (Roadster) is an open 2-door, single seat, 2/3-seater version of the RMB, with a large rear deck area and folding windshield. Presented in March 1948, it was delivered to Switzerland too late to be shown at the Geneva Motor Show. Primarily designed for the North American export market, it was normally built as a left-hand drive, with the gear lever on the steering column. The hood and radiator were lowered and the hood latches were arranged to be operated from within. The fuel tank was increased to 91 litres. Eighteen months later, in September 1949, Riley announced that future production would include a small number of right-hand drive cars. This due to a slight increase in steel supply. Instead of side windows, it had flexible celluloid glass curtains with a hole for hand signals and, when unfolded, a fragile synthetic cover over a light metal frame. Both the rear and the front bear many similarities to a 1934 Ford V8. It has a 2.5L, 100 hp engine and reaches 160 km/h. 507 units of the RMC model were produced.
Datasheet Year: 1948 Brand: Riley Model: RMC Country: England License plate: ON-12-77 Engine: ... Gearbox: ...