Rochdale Olympic
Rochdale started in 1957 as a kit car company. The first model was the Riviera, but in 1959 the Olympic appeared, which was after the Lotus Elite the second model to be fitted with a selfcontained fiberglass body. Mechanicla parts were borrowed from Morris and Riley, and the initial versions had only 37 BHP. The Olympic was also available as an entire car and not only as a kit. In 1963 the Mk2 version appeared which had a larger engine compartment to allow the use of the Ford Cortina GT engine. The front suspension now came from the Triumph Spitfire and disc brakes were added in the process. The Ford engine, although producing just 78 BHP, had little problems with the light car and a topspeed of 180 was now obtainable. The Mk2 version was outwardly also recognisable from the opening bonnet. Production stopped in 1968, but kits have been on sale until 1972. In total 150 Mk1s and 250 Mk2s have been produced Shown in a Mk2 version in one of the club parking lots of the Silverstone Classic 2006