RILEY - 12/4 PRODUCTION FIGURES
as Old as the Industry, as modern as the Hour

Total Riley 12/4 & 1½ Production

Riley 12/4's were built from 1934 until 1939/40, although towards the end production was a mere trickle! Below are the number of Riley 12/4 Chassis that left the Factory each year, regardless of bodywork.

Model Years:

1935 2100

1936 2800

1937 2200

1938 750

1939 650
Total 8,500

Model by Model

Although no precise records remain, it is still possible to collate details of known cars, and so suggest total production figures for each 12/4 model.

Below is a list of how many of each body were probably built on the Riley 12/4 Chassis.

The 'Exist' column is the cars listed in the 1999 Riley Register Membership list.

The 'Identified' column is additional cars listed in David Styles book 'As old as the Industry', and others that I have 'found' (in old membership lists / books / photos).

The 'Total' column is the previous two added together.

The 'Percent' Column is the Percent of the cars listed under total for that model.

The 'Suggested' column is that percentage multiplied by 7800, to give a suggested construction figure. However, it must be remembered that some of the rarer models have survived in greater numbers, while older models (& Briggs Steel-bodied cars) are less likely to have a high survival rate. Therefore, this figure is only a suggestion, and is not claimed to be at all accurate.

The 'Register' column is the figure put forward by Vernon Barker in his Riley Register book '12/4 Production Cars'. These take into account the popularity of each model during the crucial 1950's & 60's, when a lot of cars were destroyed upon failing the MOT.

Model Exist Identified Total Percent Suggested Register

Adelphi 12/4 31 445 476 20.4 1580 1800

Continental 12/4 12 45 57 2.5 200 130

Falcon 12/4 60 578 638 25 1930 2350

Kestrel 12/4 90 586 676 27 2080

Kestrel Sprite 23 102 125 5 390

113 688 801 32 2470 2000

Lynx 12/4 61 120 181 7.9 610

Lynx Sprite 14 41 55 2.2 170

75 161 236 10.1 780 800

Merlin 12/4 7 112 119 4.9 380 525

Monaco 12/4 1 3 4 - -*

Sprite 12/4 19 36 55 - c60 55

TT Sprite 12/4 2 5 7 - c10

Touring Sal 12/4 45 45 2.2 170 115

Victor 12/4 3 69 72 2.9 220 150

Special 12/4 5 7 12 - -

Total 2574 30.46 7800

12 DHC 2 13 15 - 150

12 Saloon 3 21 24 - 500

Rebodied chassis are included in original body style where known, otherwise listed as specials.

There are also a few other miscellaneous body styles, where only one example is listed by the register. I have presumed that these are period coach-built bodies, and have not listed them due to space limitations.

* The Monaco 12/4 was never officially listed. Although it is possible that a few were built (the 12/4 engine did fit some 9 chassis), it is more likely to be a modern conversion, and as such has not been included.

Model	Exist	Identified	Total	Percent	Suggested	Register
Adelphi 12/4	31	445	476	20.4	1580	1800
Continental 12/4	12	45	57	2.5	200	130
Falcon 12/4	60	578	638	25	1930	2350
Kestrel 12/4	90	586	676	27	2080
Kestrel Sprite	23	102	125	5	390
	113	688	801	32	2470	2000
Lynx 12/4	61	120	181	7.9	610
Lynx Sprite	14	41	55	2.2	170
	75	161	236	10.1	780	800
Merlin 12/4	7	112	119	4.9	380	525
Monaco 12/4	1	3	4	-	-*
Sprite 12/4	19	36	55	-	c60	55
TT Sprite 12/4	2	5	7	-	c10
Touring Sal 12/4		45	45	2.2	170	115
Victor 12/4	3	69	72	2.9	220	150
Special 12/4	5	7	12	-	-
Total			2574	30.46	7800
12 DHC	2	13	15	-		150
12 Saloon	3	21	24	-		500