19th November 2013

19th November 2013 - The Most Successful Car in The World

Gordon McAllan

President Michael Heale welcomed a full house of members to Biggar Probus Club most recent meeting to hear Gordon McAllan Speak about the most successful car in the world. Contrary to many guesses as to which car this might be, it was the Riley, which is sadly no longer produced today.

Founded by the Riley brothers in Coventry, they began by making weaving machines and progressed to producing bicycles then tricycles in the late 1800's. They were renowned for their speed. Percy Riley had built his first car at the age of 15 and invented the exhaust system that was to become the model for the motor industry. They moved on to motorcycles and tricars which became their main products in the early 1900's.

Tyres were poor and liable to puncture so they introduced the detachable wheel which again others were to follow. They pioneered a rotary engine for aircraft during WWI. In the 1920's they produced the first small family cars, the Monico, with revolutionary innovations such as a luggage boot, tinted glass, windscreen wipers and pre-selector gear change.

During the 1930's success led to them producing too many model types, such as the Riley 9 and the Kestrel and financial strains led to a deal with Briggs of America. Following WWII they were taken over by the Nuffield Group, later the ill-fated BMC. The vote of thanks was given by John Lindsay.

The next meeting is on December 3rd, is an open day featuring a forum of senior pupils from Biggar High School.

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