RILEY

The business began as the Bonnick Cycle Company of Coventry, which William Riley Jr. bought in 1890 and incorporated in 1896 as the Riley Cycle Company. His son Percy built his first car in 1898, and the separate Riley Engine Company was set up in 1903.

Riley became part of the Nuffield Organization in 1938 and was merged into the British Leyland Motor Corporation in 1968. In July 1969 British Leyland announced the immediate end of Riley production, and the trademark is now owned by BMW.