Riley One-Point-Five

Infobox Automobile


name=Riley 1.5
Wolseley 1500
manufacturer=BMC
production=1957-1965
39,568 (Riley)
103,394 (Wolseley)
class=midsize car
body_style=4-door saloon
transmission =
length = Auto in|152|0)
width = Auto in|60.5|0
height = Auto in|59.5|0
weight = Auto lb|2072|0
wheelbase = Auto in|86|0cite book |last=Culshaw |first= |authorlink= |coauthors=Horrobin |title=Complete Catalogue of British Cars |year=1974 |publisher=Macmillan |location=London |id=ISBN 0-333-16689-2]
track = Auto in|50.75|0
predecessor=Riley RME/Wolseley 15/50
successor=Riley Kestrel/Wolseley 1100/1300
related=Morris Major/Wolseley 1500/Austin Lancer
engine=1489 cc L " B-Series" Straight-4The Riley One-Point-Five and similar Wolseley 1500 were based on the Morris Minor floorpan, suspension and steering but fitted with the larger 1489 cc B-Series engine and MG Magnette gearbox. Launched in 1957, the twins were differentiated by nearly 20 hp (15 kW), the Riley having twin SU carburettors giving it the most power at 68 hp (50 kW).

The Series II model came out in May, 1960. The most notable difference was the hidden boot and bonnet hinges.

The Wolseley also had a Series III launched in October 1961 which featured a revised grille and rear lights.

Production ended in 1965 with 39,568 Rileys and 103,394 Wolseleys made.cite book |last=Robson |first=Graham |title=A-Z British Cars 1945-1980|year=2006 |publisher=Herridge & Sons |location=Devon, UK|id=ISBN 0-9541063-9-3 ]

BMC in Australia also produced its own versions of this design, the Morris Major and Austin Lancer (1958-64.) The Australian versions were less luxurious and had many notable differences from the Riley / Wolseley cars, also, the design was substantially revised in 1959 (see article.)

Engine:
* 1.2 L (1200 cc) "B-Series" I4, Irish Market only.
* 1.5 L (1489 cc) "B-Series" I4, 62 hp (46 kW)

In its day the Riley was successfully raced and rallied and can still be seen today in historical sporting events.

Performance

A Wolseley 1500 was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1957. It was found to have a top speed of convert|76.7|mph|km/h|abbr=on and could accelerate from 0-convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 24.8 seconds. A fuel consumption of convert|36.6|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus was recorded. The test car cost £758 including taxes of £253. cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Wolsley 1500| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = April 17 1957]

References