Riley 10 HP
Car : Riley 10 HP
Year : 1909
Engine : V-twin
Bore and stroke : 96×96 mm
Cylinder capacity : 1388 cc
Gears : 3 forward
Brake horse power : 15
Maximum speed : 38 mph
Wheelbase : 8 ft 0 ins (2.43 m)
Suspension : front and back : semi-elliptic leaf- springs
The Riley Cycle Company was formed in 1896. A first step towards the production of pedal 2-wheelers had been made in 1890, when the Riley brothers (Allan, Percy, and Victor) took over Bonnick and Company of Coventry, who also specialized in bicycles. The firm approached powered vehicles through tricycles, quadricycles, and motorcycles. In 1903 the ‘cycle’ was completed with the creation of the Riley Engine Company. The engine of the 10 HP was also ‘home-made’ , from drawings by Percy Riley.
The 1909 10 HP had the engine at the front, whilst in the 9 HP, from which it was derived, it had been mounted in the middle. The 9 HP, introduced in 1905, was the company’s first four wheeled car.
From 1912 production was concentrated almost exclusively on cars, and this policy dictated important changes. The Riley Cycle Company turned to production of removable wheels, already patented in 1907, whilst a new company, Riley (Coventry) Company, was responsible for building cars. Mass-production, which the Riley brothers had foreseen and been in favour of, ironically spelt the end for their company. In 1969 it too became part of Brilish Leyland.