Oxford Diecast 76RE002

Riley Elf MKIII Persian Blue Snowberry White

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation

Manufacturer description

The Riley Elf Mk I was launched in 1961 as an alternative to the Mini, which had been on the British motoring scene since 1959. Classed as a small car, it came with front wheel drive and a 4-cylinder in-line, 850 cc engine and a top speed of 70 mph. It was upgraded in 1963 to the Mk.II, when the engine size was increased to 988 cc and a top speed of 75 mph. Our Oxford model, a replica of the Mk.III Elf, was the same mechanically as the Mk I and II but came with some refinements  with inside door hinges (as did the Mk II)  and an improved suspension. A plus over the Mini was the Elf had a separate boot.

Our model is a replica of the two door, four seater Riley Elf Mk III which was launched in 1966. Following on from the pale ivory launch model, this one gives a great colour pop in mid blue with white masked roof. The interior and the seating  of our car are both grey with black interior trim to dashboard and steering wheel and the vehicle  is registered FHC 572G from 1968. The exterior trim is finished in silver – in an appealing contrast to the blue body colour. Finishing touches see the diamond shaped Riley badge on the edge of the bonnet and the Elf ‘signature’ across the boot.

Catalogue listing

Oxford Diecast Riley Elf MKIII Persian Blue Snowberry White

Manufacturer part number: 76RE002. The model represents the British Rail Blue livery used before the introduction of TOPS.

The original Riley Elf was introduced in 1961 as a small front‑wheel‑drive car with an 850 cc four‑cylinder engine and a top speed of 70 mph. In 1963 the Mk II version received a 988 cc engine and a top speed of 75 mph. The Mk III, launched in 1966, retained the mechanical layout of the earlier marks but added refinements such as inside door hinges, an improved suspension and a separate boot, distinguishing it from the Mini.

The die‑cast replica is a two‑door, four‑seat version of the Mk III. It is finished in Persian blue with a white masked roof; the exterior trim is in silver. The interior features grey seats with black trim on the dashboard and steering wheel. The vehicle bears the registration FHC 572G, dated 1968, and displays the diamond‑shaped Riley badge on the bonnet edge and the “Elf” badge across the boot.

Overall, the model offers a detailed representation of the 1966 Riley Elf Mk III, combining period‑accurate colours, trim and branding with the distinctive design features of the original car.