New Riley ELF….???

Today, BMW which one stage owned Rover group and screwed up own Triumph and Riley brands.

It has been over a decade since Mini was re-made by BMW and there is always some demand of up-graded Mini….equal New Riley Elf.

So, I played with Photoshop here.

This is based on Mini Countryman which is station wagon of Mini. I removed quarter glass to make it 3 box style.

Well….I noticed how bulky the new mini is……it does not look as clean as original mini.
Originally, Mini was designed by Brithsh….but not anymore. Britain and German had been fighting since the history began and their cultures are  quite different.

I don’t think German understand British beauty…..Look at New Bentley or RR !!

Anyway…go back to Riley Elf.

Original Elf was Mini + extended boot space. But this one is……Mini Countryman – Luggage space….this means this car is not as practical as Countryman.

If I think this way, maybe there is no reason to make it.

Or, in North America, 3 box sedans are more popular…..so, they could make for North American market….

Another problem is how many people remember “Riley”? This way, I will have to say negative things.

It is good to have big brother of Mini….but Ryley brand is a bit too old…so as Triumph.

Today, BMW is making many variation of Mini. This means they need something  upgraded version and I am quite curious how they are going to do.

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Riley Elf…Big brother of Mini

Mini was an epoch-making compact car which arrived to market in 1959.

The East-West engine layout and FWD became the world standard over 20 years later.

BMC was a company Austin group and Nuffield group joined together in 1952. Due to the merger, BMC carried Austin, Vanden-Plas, Morris, MG, Wolseley and Riley.

Basic brand Austin and Morris sold Mini and more upper grade Wolseley and Riley sold one with extended trunk called Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet.

Due to the brand management, they were not only longer trunk like VW Golf and Jetta.

They had more luxurious interior and also had hydrolatic suspensions which was unique design of BMC.

Although Mini was made until year 2000, this big brother retired 1969, which  was also the last season of Riley.

A year before,BMC merged with Leyland group and they ended up with managing 15 brands in a company.

Even before the merger, most of the brands were struggling to survive and the merger which was led by Government did not improve their situation.

That was how, Mini missed a chance to update.I would say 1969 when Elf retired was about time those cars were supposed to be withdrawn.

It has been already over 40 years and today, it is very hard to see one of those even in New Zealand which is almost like museum of old British cars.

After the WW2, there were famous compact cars like VW Beetle, Citroen 2CV or Mini…..there is something in common.
All of them failed to go through model change and ended up with such a long life span.
Now, those cars look charming…..but at least in 70s,  those just looked aged…….

Today, BMW which is ex-owner of Rover-group still have right of Riley brand  although the company was sold to China.

It has been over a decade since New Mini was produced by BMW. Perhaps, they could make Riley Elf based on New Mini with extended rear…

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