MEET THE OWNER – BERNIE PEAL AND HIS RILEY TWO-POINT-SIX
23rd March, 2020
The Two Point Six was a highly exclusive machine even when new – the production run was just 2,000 - and the Gerald Palmer designed coachwork, with its slight overtones of the Lancia Aurelia Berlina, must be some of the most elegant of the 1950s.
Plus, that Black and Chartreuse Yellow finish would illuminate the foggiest of autumn days.
BMC intended the Two-Point-Six as the replacement for the Pathfinder, which debuted in autumn 1953.
By May 1957 the corporation’s rationalisation programme meant that the big Riley now had the 2.6 C-Series engine rather than the famous 2.5-litre plant and a slightly taller bodyshell shared with the Wolseley 6/90 Series III.
In essence, the Two-Point-Six was a slightly more powerful version of Scotland Yard’s favourite squad car, with the additions of a tachometer, flashing indicators in place of trafficators, extra chrome plating and, of course, the pale blue diamond badge.
At £1,411 7s, the latest Riley was a car for senior professionals and maybe slightly caddish members of the local gentry; those duotone paint schemes were indeed flamboyant.
As compared with its British rivals, the Two-Point-Six was both more substantial and less overtly sporting than a Jaguar 2.4 Mk. 1 but slightly more ostentatious than the Rover P4 105S.
The brochures claimed that this was a luxury car to be proud of ‘through and through’; one that was ‘created for enthusiasts…for enthusiasts’.
Autocar found the Riley to be a ‘stylish though restrained’ machine. The chaps of Motor Sport regarded it as a ‘well-appointed car which is notable for powerful brakes, excellent lamps and a gear change as pleasing as it is unusual’.
The last point refers to the right-hand gear lever found in the cutaway in the front seat.
The optional automatic box had a column selector, but an unorthodox manual shift was standard on the Nuffield Division’s large saloons; the Two-Point-Six, the 6/90 and the Morris Isis.
It was a system that combined a floor change with accommodation for six, and to the novice Riley owner, it does look slightly formidable.
In practice ‘you can make changes with surprising ease, but the linkages have correctly adjusted; otherwise, it can be a nightmare!’.
Production ceased in April 1959, and there was never to be another large Riley; the 4/68 and 4/72 “Farinas” occupied a different sector of the market.
Unlike the Wolseley 6/90, whose profile was maintained by re-runs of countless black & white crime epics, the Two-Point-Six was largely overlooked.
Today, 13 are believed to be on the road in the UK and Bernie has owned his magnificent example ‘since October 2012, and it is the only one left out of the 47 made in this colour scheme’.
Bernie enjoys every aspect of his Riley, especially its appearance, its interior and its rather unusual gearchange.
As to reactions from members of the public ‘Some people think it is a Mk.1 or a Mk.2 Jaguar, or a Pathfinder but it is never confused with an MG Magnette ZB; the Riley is too big’.
And his Two-Point-Six looks primed for a journey along the A303 to the West Country. Preferably with lashings of ginger beer in the picnic hamper.
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