Riley

The Riley Pathfinder was unveiled at the London Motor Show in October 1953 as the marque’s new flagship, replacing the RMF. Conceived just before the 1952 merger that created BMC, the Pathfinder is often regarded as the last “true” Riley, retaining much of the brand’s engineering independence. It was powered by Riley’s 2,443 cc twin-cam engine, producing 110 hp and fed by twin SU carburettors. Buyers could choose between individual front seats or an optional full-width bench contoured to accommodate the floor-mounted gear lever. The rear seat featured a fold-down centre armrest, leather upholstery was standard, and a heater was included. The exterior, available in restrained colours such as black, maroon, green, blue or grey, bore a close resemblance to the Wolseley 6/90, as both cars were styled by Gerald Palmer before the Nuffield-Austin merger. Production ended in 1957 when the Pathfinder was replaced by the short-lived Wolseley 6/90-derived Riley Two-Point-Six.