Bob Riley, one of the great racing car designers, has died aged 93.
https://racer.com/20...DjyCcxC4Dj3atSA
Bob Riley RIP
Started by
Tim Murray
, Oct 25 2024 04:17
9 replies to this topic
Advertisement
#2
Doug Nye
-
- 11,725 posts
- Joined: February 02
Member
Posted 25 October 2024 - 05:50
Very well merited praise in that obit notice... A remarkable record of imaginative achievement.
DCN
#3
WINO
-
- 703 posts
- Joined: April 04
Member
Posted 25 October 2024 - 12:08
The article in Racer mentions that Riley's first solo effort in sports car racing was a front-engined Ford in 1983. In fact, it came a lot earlier than that.
While living in Baton Rouge in 1959, Riley built the Lynx Special, a combination of his own chassis and the Corvette engine of a wrecked car. Its body was part fiberglass, part aluminum and he spent $2,500 building his car.
#5
Tom Glowacki
-
- 538 posts
- Joined: December 03
Member
Posted 25 October 2024 - 21:16
His sucesses with Indy cars deserved more of a discussion.
#6
ReWind
-
- 3,546 posts
- Joined: October 03
Member
Posted Yesterday, 07:13
On AUTOSPORT's website he is called Bill Riley (the name of his son). 
EDIT: After hours someone managed to correct this shameful error.
Edited by ReWind, Yesterday, 18:15.
#7
Henri Greuter
-
- 13,287 posts
- Joined: June 02
Member
Posted Yesterday, 17:56
Quite a name, I loved the Offy powered versions of his low-line Indycars of the mid 70's.
One of the greatest names among the American race car designers.
#8
B Squared
-
- 7,777 posts
- Joined: September 08
Member
Posted Yesterday, 18:22
A 40-in x 60-in photo I have of AJ in the Riley designed Coyote at Milwaukee. Condolences to family and friends of this racer.
Jim Gilmore and Tony Foyt are both in the shot on the grid.
Jim Gilmore and Tony Foyt are both in the shot on the grid.
Edited by B Squared, Yesterday, 18:24.
#9
Tim Murray
-
- 24,773 posts
- Joined: May 02
Moderator
Posted Today, 03:56
(posted on behalf of Willem Oosthoek; his words follow)
Where it all started. Bob Riley in his $2,500 home built Special, the 1959 Lynx/Chevy, somewhere in 1962. From the Bob Riley Collection, although Bob did not remember where it was taken.
Where it all started. Bob Riley in his $2,500 home built Special, the 1959 Lynx/Chevy, somewhere in 1962. From the Bob Riley Collection, although Bob did not remember where it was taken.
#10
Tim Murray
-
- 24,773 posts
- Joined: May 02
Moderator
Posted Today, 04:09
(more from Willem)
Bob Riley raced primarily around Louisiana in that period, in places like Hammond and Opelousas. Here is a newspaper image of the feature start of the 7th Annual Grand Prix Louisiana at Hammond in July 1962.
On pole is Bob Schroeder [Mecom de Tomaso Isis/Alfa], then Mason O'Keiff [Kurtis/Chevy] and the nose section of Riley's Lynx/Chevy]. Behind them are Bill Moore [Devin/Chevy] and Chuck Nervine [Monza/Chevy].
In the 10-lap preliminary Riley had finished 4th overall behind Schroeder, Ben O'Neal [ex Jim Hall Lotus 11, now 2-liter Maserati powered] and Harry Washburn [ex Hap Sharp Cooper Monaco/Maserati]. In the 20-lap feature the Lynx was a DNF and Schroeder won over O'Keiff.
Bob Riley raced primarily around Louisiana in that period, in places like Hammond and Opelousas. Here is a newspaper image of the feature start of the 7th Annual Grand Prix Louisiana at Hammond in July 1962.
On pole is Bob Schroeder [Mecom de Tomaso Isis/Alfa], then Mason O'Keiff [Kurtis/Chevy] and the nose section of Riley's Lynx/Chevy]. Behind them are Bill Moore [Devin/Chevy] and Chuck Nervine [Monza/Chevy].
In the 10-lap preliminary Riley had finished 4th overall behind Schroeder, Ben O'Neal [ex Jim Hall Lotus 11, now 2-liter Maserati powered] and Harry Washburn [ex Hap Sharp Cooper Monaco/Maserati]. In the 20-lap feature the Lynx was a DNF and Schroeder won over O'Keiff.
