The coachwork is convincingly patinated – and before you think we’re being unkind we should point out that a) almost every competition vehicle wears its hard-won dents and dinks with pride, and b) a car as characterful as this will always draw a bigger crowd than a potential concours winner.
And this one will draw a crowd wherever it goes, with many wanting to know what it is: Google “Riley RMC Le Mans” and the pickings are thin: Good job our seller knows his stuff.
Because a car like this is the result of hundreds of hours of research followed by hundreds of hours of engineering work. Thousands of pounds of investment too, plus, we have no doubt, many sleepless nights trying to figure it all out.
He started by emulating the original car’s weight-saving measures, removing the front and rear bumpers, and the hubcaps. The bonnet was also replaced with a single-piece one to shave off a few more ounces, and both the windscreen and roof can be removed very easily, just like those of the Le Mans car.
As for condition, the headline is that the panel fit is very good, with details like the louvres in the front wings, which run straight and true, adding to the positive impression.
And the colour? The Le Mans car was painted matt green, including much of the chromework, to reduce reflections. So, he did that, too.
It’s fitted with front and rear indicators, including a nice pair from Toby Mitchell on the rear and some huge Lucas 700s on the front. The latter are supported by a pair of auxiliary Lucas driving lights. (The Lucas spotlights on the race car were described as having been “magnificent”.)
The windscreen, which is supported by a delightful brass frame, can be folded down flat or even removed, just like the one on the competition car. This is a lovely touch, and we can imagine summer runs to the beach sans roof and with the screen down would be an absolute hoot, especially as there is an aeroscreen to keep the midges out of the driver’s eyes.
The roof is rakish and minimal; it’ll keep you dry and will do so in the most stylish possible way but then this is a very carefully considered motorcar. It’s in good shape too with no rips, tears, or other damage and even features a metal-framed rear screen.
The frame for the hood is in good shape, and rises and falls easily. The inner hood fabric is clean and free of stains. The package includes a pair of door tops, although these will need to be restored before being put into use.
The steel wheels have been painted to match the coachwork, a spare has been bolted to the rear, and the road wheels were fitted with brand-new 185VR16 Blockey rubber in 2023. (The spare is a 5.75/6.00-18 Avon Tourist, which has perished and cracked.)
We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.
Other nice touches include a brace of registration numbers on the rear, barely visible underrun protection behind each rear wheel, a leather bonnet strap, no fewer than four rear-view mirrors, and hand-painted competition roundels that include a light to illuminate the racing number.
This is a sportscar that has been made, not bought.
We could list the flaws but to do so would be to miss the point: Chips, scratches, and dinks are a part ‘n’ parcel of competition life – and buying a car that isn’t perfect also frees you of the responsibility of being the one to damage it first.
However, significant blemishes include a noticeable scuff to the nearside front wing, cracks to the paint on the offside front wing, and peeling paint on the radiator surround. The (dented) tailgate, whose handle is just for show, could also be aligned more neatly as it catches slightly.
