472 Rochdale Olympic Phase 1 (1962)
Rochdale Olympic (1960-63) Engine 1275cc BMC Production 250 Phase 1 and 150 Phase II
Registration Number 7830 TD
Built by Rochdale Motor Panels, and designed chiefly by Richard Parker and influenced by the shape of his fathers Porsche 356. The first prototype was running by 1960 powered by a Morris Minor BMC A Type engine, the first road car appeared with larger windows and a highly curved wind screen. Most production cars had a Riley 1.5ltr. engine though the Minor engine and Ford engines were also available.
The Phase 1 had Minor/Riley torsion bar suspension with a roll bar and coil springs at the rear. Rack and pinion steering
In 1961 a factory fire destroyed the factory, the moulds and a great many cars. The set back and ensuing delays in production costing the company the loss of a lot of orders. But in 1963 the Phase II was launched with redesigned suspension, disc brakes, and an electric cooling fan. The thickness of the body was increased. and the car was now powered by a Ford Cortina 1500GT engine. The costs were £ 735 in kit form or £ 930 factory built though most were in fact sold as kits. Production all but ceased in 1967 although a few cars were made into the 1970's with the last leaving the factory in 1973. The moulds were sold to a group of Rochdale owners who still preserve them.
Shot at the Silverstone Classic 25.07.10 Ref 57-472
472 Rochdale Olympic Phase 1 (1962)
Rochdale Olympic (1960-63) Engine 1275cc BMC Production 250 Phase 1 and 150 Phase II
Registration Number 7830 TD
Built by Rochdale Motor Panels, and designed chiefly by Richard Parker and influenced by the shape of his fathers Porsche 356. The first prototype was running by 1960 powered by a Morris Minor BMC A Type engine, the first road car appeared with larger windows and a highly curved wind screen. Most production cars had a Riley 1.5ltr. engine though the Minor engine and Ford engines were also available.
The Phase 1 had Minor/Riley torsion bar suspension with a roll bar and coil springs at the rear. Rack and pinion steering
In 1961 a factory fire destroyed the factory, the moulds and a great many cars. The set back and ensuing delays in production costing the company the loss of a lot of orders. But in 1963 the Phase II was launched with redesigned suspension, disc brakes, and an electric cooling fan. The thickness of the body was increased. and the car was now powered by a Ford Cortina 1500GT engine. The costs were £ 735 in kit form or £ 930 factory built though most were in fact sold as kits. Production all but ceased in 1967 although a few cars were made into the 1970's with the last leaving the factory in 1973. The moulds were sold to a group of Rochdale owners who still preserve them.
Shot at the Silverstone Classic 25.07.10 Ref 57-472