"His particular model called the RMC is a 2-door, three seat convertible and only 507 of them were produced between 1947 and 1951. The “three seat” designation bears explanation, because rather than typical sports car bucket seats there’s a bench. Apparently the Brits considered it wide enough to accommodate three bottoms. Amis first learned of the car in 1972 when he was practicing optometry in Cushing. A friend tipped him off that District Judge Richard Stead in Stillwater received a Federal appointment in Washington D.C. and would be selling off his collection of eight different cars."
“I took the seat to a friend’s upholstery shop in Mexico and had it re-done in leather,” Amis said.
The car has never had a true ground-up restoration, but because of the care its received it doesn’t really need one. The mahogany dash is in beautiful condition and the gauges all work. The steering wheel is on the wrong side by American standards but Amis said it’s not hard to get used to.
“It even has a wooden body frame and inside the doors the steel skin is attached to a wood framework,” Amis said.
Riley coachbuilders used ash wood and replication is difficult but some restorers in the United Kingdom still take on the task.
“I like the fact that this car is rare,” he said. “You never see one at another show and I’ve never seen one anywhere else except in pictures.”
Many Rileys are still on the road around the world, just not this particular model. Unlike the more familiar Triumph and Austin-Healey roadsters of that era the RMC is a larger car. It has both hydraulic and mechanical brakes so that if one system fails the other stops the car. If you really want to go fast the windshield folds flat to decrease resistance. It has no heater or air conditioner. The Riley employs a trafficator turn signal system which is the semaphore type. Instead of triggering rear blinking lights the driver causes a small illuminated arm to deploy from openings in the side body indicating which way the turn will be.
“I have the car’s shop and parts manual,” Amis said. “It tells you how to maintain and repair everything mechanical and electrical in great detail. I’ve used these instructions for rebuilding components many times and it’s kind of shop worn.”
In 2010 Amis was invited to an Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s sports car show when Riley was their “Marque of the Year.” There were 165 Rileys of different models in competition and his was awarded “Best of Class.”
