‘Unique’ car sparks appeal for history
NICOLA FINDLAY
A Strathaven motor enthusiast is leading the hunt for information on who owned a rare highend car first registered in Lanarkshire nearly 80 years ago.
The restorer of the 1948 Riley motor car in Somerset contacted the Scottish Riley Enthusiasts for help in tracking down who may have first driven the plush vehicle of which there were very few ever made.
Gordon McAllan, newsletter editor from Scottish Riley Enthusiasts, who are based in Strathaven, is now determined to find whose pride and joy it once was.
The prestige vehicle was registered to the then Lanarkshire County Council when it was first delivered and Gordon is now on the hunt for more information.
He said: “The owner asked for our help in trying to find information about the early years of this car, in the late 1940s, the 50s and the 1960s.
“After being stored in old factory premises in Somerset for half a century, Hugo Hodge is restoring this now-unique car.
“But he has no details of its original owner and is therefore keen to learn who ordered it specially in Lanarkshire.
“This Riley is very rare, probably the only one of its type to have survived.
“There may have only been half a dozen or so in the whole of Britain and it certainly would have been the only one of its kind in Lanarkshire.
“Founded in 1898, Riley was a famous sporting and competition British marque, and produced one of the first new British models after World War 2 – the Riley RM series.
“Like all Rileys, it was sleek, luxurious and a delight to drive – a true sports saloon.
“This vehicle is a RMA 1.5 litre model.
“However, the company also supplied a few readyto-go chassis and power units for small, independent coachbuilders.
“Some of them fitted these Rileys with coachbuilt, timberframed Estate car bodies, sometimes known in the US as Station Wagons or “Woodies”.
“This RMA Estate was fitted with such a body and was first registered in Lanarkshire – the then Lanarkshire County Council gave it the registration EVA 626.
“At a guess, this Riley RMA Estate was first bought by the owner of a Lanarkshire rural mansion and grounds, or a large farm.
“It was ideal for combining country duties and stylish trips to town.
“It probably cost the same as a semi-detached house in those days so it was only a select few who could have ever afforded to buy one and would have certainly stood out in this area.”
Having grown up in a tenement in Glasgow as a young boy and his family not having a car, Gordon soon became fascinated by anything mechanical.
Then seeing a Riley in his childhood saw the seeds sewn for a lifetimes fascination with the model.
Gordon added: “We are keen to hear from anyone who may have a recollection of it, or was told about it by family.
“Was it owned by a member of your family, or by a family friend, or neighbour?
“Did you often see it passing, in your district? Was it maintained by a garage nearby?”
Anyone with information can contact the News by emailing nicola.findlay@ reachplc.com or call 01698 205171 and this will be passed to Gordon.
It probably cost the same as a semi-detached house in those days...