Duckhams and Practical Classics Team’s Live Riley RM Rebuild 2018

At the NEC Classic Motor Show, the Discovery Live Stage was hosted by Mike Brewer and Ant Anstead from the TV show “Wheeler Dealers”. The main feature however was the live rebuild of a 1951 Riley RMA, carried out by the workshop and technical team from Practical Classics Magazine. The challenge was to complete the rebuild in front of the audience on stage, across the three-day event and to drive it off and hand it to the new owner before the close of the show.

The Riley RMA had been in previous owner Ron Jones’s shed for over 46 years before being taken on by the Editor of Practical Classics, Danny Hopkins.

Ron was present and the show and witnessed first-hand the high drama that unfolded as the team worked around the clock to complete the challenge.

On Sunday morning, Duckhams were able to come to the rescue when the engine sprung a leak moments before it was due for installation. Happily, we were on hand to supply a gallon of SAE 30 to the Practical Classics team and supplied the monograde oil ideal for running in the Riley’s newly rebuilt engine.

Danny Hopkins spoke on stage about the welcome return of the Duckhams brand to the UK following our relaunch over a year ago and expressed his thanks to Duckhams for playing our small part in the epic NEC Classic Motor Show rebuild challenge.

So, did they manage to complete the build? Well sadly although the car looked ready to hit the road after a hiatus of nearly half a century, the engine wasn’t able to fire. The Practical Classics team and their helpers from the Riley RM Clubs are not ones to be easily beaten and we expect the car is already up and running. Check out the latest issue of the magazine to find out the latest.