Manufacturer Riley Engine 2.4 L Straight-4 Length 179 in (4,547 mm) | Production 1939-1940 Wheelbase 116 in (2,946 mm) | |
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Body style 1937:
Continental sports saloon
Kestrel 6-light saloon
Adelphi 6-light saloon
1939
Kestrel 6-light saloon
Kestrel 2-door drophead coupé | ||
The Riley 16 hp is a car made by the British Riley company from 1937 to 1940. It slotted into Riley's range immediately below their 18 hp V8 model. Announced in September 1937 for the Earls Court Motor Show it became one of the two genuine Riley models in the rationalised range that followed the 1938 takeover by the Nuffield Organization.
It had a 2443cc straight-four engine with twin cams and S.U carburettor which developed 82 bhp. The transmission was a four speed manual. It was capable of a top speed of around 80 mph. The chassis was a lengthened version of the one used on the Riley 12 hp which was introduced at the same time.
The 1939/40 16 hp was available with a standard saloon, Kestrel fastback saloon or drophead coupe coachwork.
Michael Sedgwick described this long-stroke four as a first-class tourer in the Riley tradition, Britain's largest four since the 4½-lire Bentley ended production in 1931. Its chassis he said was regular Riley - beam axles and Girling brakes - fitted with Borg-Warner overdrive as standard it would run up to 90 mph. The engine ran very smoothly for a four-cylinder. Good value for money it survived into Riley's Nuffield-owned era but with disc wheels, umbrella handbrake lever and ordinary synchromesh gearboxes, (Nuffield) ". . . made a few wire-wheeled Kestrels in 1939 and 1940 to keep the traditionalists happy".