Riley was a British motorcar and bicycle manufacturer from 1890. The company became part
of the Nuffield Organisation in 1938 and was later merged into British Leyland. Today,
the trademark is owned by BMW.
In early 1913, Percy was joined by three of his brothers (Victor, Stanley, and Allan)
in a new business focused on manufacturing entire automobiles. This Riley Motor Manufacturing
Company was located near Percy's Riley Engine Company. The first new model, the 17/30, was
introduced at the London Motor Show that year. Soon afterwards, Stanley Riley founded yet
another company, the Nero Engine Company, to produce his own 4-cylinder 10 hp (7.5 kW) car.
Riley also began manufacturing aeroplane engines and became a key supplier in Britain's
buildup for World War I.
In 1918, after the war, the Riley companies were restructured. Nero joined Riley (Coventry)
as the sole producer of automobiles. Riley Motor Manufacturing came under the control of
Allan Riley to become Midland Motor Bodies, a coachbuilder for Riley. Riley Engine Company
continued under Percy as the engine supplier. At this time, Riley's blue diamond badge,
designed by Harry Rush, also appeared. The motto was "As old as the industry, as modern
as the hour." ...