Rochdale Olympic; A Zef acquisition!

zefarelly · 13 Jan 2008, 08:05 (Ref:2106613)

I've recently acquired a load of bits to strew round the other half of my workshop as well !

65/66 Rochdale Olympic, has some period competition history mostly autocross racing, some sprints etc at Brands, got some super 8 and cine footage, cars pretty much complete, my intention is to restore it and go racing in it, it runs Ford Cortina engine, box and rear axle, although in 67 it was rebuilt with a Hewland diff and 5 speed box, and a Broadspeed 1300 screamer . . . . .

**John Turner** · 15 Jan 2008, 11:01 (Ref:2106616)

Oh, you can't get away with posting that on the History forum and not share it with your colleagues on the H Racing Today forum. Bet you didn't realise that you'd started a thread, Zef!

Also rang bells from an earlier thread. Here's one started by 'eclectic' Mike back in 2003:-
http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...chdale+Olympic

zefarelly · 15 Jan 2008, 15:15 (Ref:2106724)

No I didn't

The car I've acquired is FRU12D and I think was built 1965, registered March 66, Ford 1500GT engine, box nand rear axle, Triumph Spitfire front suspension, with Ford drilled hubs, running 5 1/2/6" Ford rims. Apparently it has a heavy duty shell, with built in roll cage ( if you can call 1" gas barrel pipe a roll cage)

It certainly is different in detail to most, its always seems to have sported flared wheel arches on the rear, it was rebuilt over the winter of 66 with flared front arches as well, a 1300 broadspeed engine,

A hand written build sheet also references a hewland 5 speed box and LSD

It was used in club events by a couple, then sold to another guy and used in the PLayers No6 autocross championships finishing 5th in the finals, I have a video with assorted footage of autocross and track activity ( Brands Hatch for example, I think sprinting)

I intend to rebuild it to a pre66 App K spec and take it racing, I'll revert to MK1 Cortina GT spec for engine, box etc for simplicity and commonality of parts, and to keep it period correct so hopefully it'll be welcome to race at most events. THe HSCC have already welcomed it for road sports, Guards would be better still . . . and who knows what else, most PH2's had 1500 precrossflows and where produced from 63-66 so an HTP as a special might not be impossible, theres plenty of less authentic things with papers out there!

zefarelly · 15 Jan 2008, 15:30 (Ref:2106732)

it hasn't been used since 1971 as far as I can tell, most of the fibreglass has been repaired and I've drawn up a roll cage . . . .

mechanicals seem pretty simple, I have whats left of the front subframe for a pattern as well

GORDON STREETER · 15 Jan 2008, 17:56 (Ref:2106782)

ZEF. I hope it drives better than it looks, but then beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Just like when I look in the mirror !

And hey wasn't that the one homologated with the 7 litre V8 ? TWR

Moosehead · 15 Jan 2008, 18:40 (Ref:2106804)

When I was at school in the eighties, a mate used to continually tell me that his dad had all the body moulds for the Rochdale Olympic in his garage. Think the family still lives in the same house.........is it worth me finding out.....any interest / use to you??

Teddington Ted · 15 Jan 2008, 20:34 (Ref:2106852)

" THe HSCC have already welcomed it for road sports "

Fantastic news Zef. The HRS grid has been getting stronger and stronger over the last few years and the Rochdale will add to the variety. It'll be great to see you out with us.

Mark

terence · 15 Jan 2008, 21:22 (Ref:2106884)

So all you need now is proof of International Competition Zef.

esper · 15 Jan 2008, 21:43 (Ref:2106897)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

ZEF. I hope it drives better than it looks, but then beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Just like when I look in the mirror !

And hey wasn't that the one homologated with the 7 litre V8 ? TWR

If you ar used to some style of rear windscreen this might take some adapting. really it is a nice car (I had Grantura theraoy now for more than 3 years)

terence · 16 Jan 2008, 08:12 (Ref:2107097)

The more I look at it Zef ,the more it grows on me. There is quite a bit of potential in this car.It has the right mechanicals etc.I did a Diva a few years ago,that was a real little rocket,quicker than a Grantura.Get this one sorted and you could be onto a winner,nice wheel-base,decent track,and it looks reasonably aerodynamic as well!

Al Weyman · 16 Jan 2008, 08:27 (Ref:2107105)

Looks a real interesting project Zef, having read the spec on the Rochdale site I tend to agree with Terry, a lot of potential and I think it looks quite cute despite what that nasty Gordon said. :-)

zefarelly · 16 Jan 2008, 10:58 (Ref:2107186)

Glad you all agree ( except Gordon, theres always one isn't there

)

drag coefficient of 0.3, its basically an elite beater in a similar mould,probably stronger and considerably cheaper

there are reports of all sorts of Races in the UK and some in BElgium/Germany but I'm not sure about 'International' as it where, probably just European clubbies . . .time will tell

I'm rewriting Autosport Oct 65 as we speak

terence · 16 Jan 2008, 18:03 (Ref:2107446)

Quote:

Originally Posted by zefarelly

Glad you all agree ( except Gordon, theres always one isn't there

)

drag coefficient of 0.3, its basically an elite beater in a similar mould,probably stronger and considerably cheaper

there are reports of all sorts of Races in the UK and some in BElgium/Germany but I'm not sure about 'International' as it where, probably just European clubbies . . .time will tell

I'm rewriting Autosport Oct 65 as we speak

Errrr,Zef,Where is Belgium??

GORDON STREETER · 16 Jan 2008, 20:22 (Ref:2107529)

Zef when can I come down for the seat fitting

terence · 16 Jan 2008, 20:55 (Ref:2107553)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

Zef when can I come down for the seat fitting

What,after being so rude! How very dare you.
Like I said Zef,I think it will look great once it's done Mate

**John Turner** · 16 Jan 2008, 20:56 (Ref:2107554)

To be fair to Gordon, that picture above does not flatter the car. It looks a whole lot better in the flesh! More here:-

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...chdale+Olympic

We learn (actually I remembered, rather unusually) that Zef has had a hankering for one of these so it's great that he's realised this particular desire (

). Should be good fun when it's ready and I look forward to seeing it on the track.

GORDON STREETER · 16 Jan 2008, 22:33 (Ref:2107616)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16345037@N03/2198491666/
Here's one I prepared earlier !

Al Weyman · 16 Jan 2008, 22:41 (Ref:2107618)

Very clever Gordon. :-)

zefarelly · 17 Jan 2008, 11:06 (Ref:2107931)

something like this . . . obviously I'll get a pro to put the stripes on straight !

Al Weyman · 17 Jan 2008, 11:44 (Ref:2107959)

Now thats more like it, I was wondering where the stripes went!

GORDON STREETER · 17 Jan 2008, 13:32 (Ref:2108023)

Its got a front a bit like a "Porky" I trust you will keep the engine in the front

zefarelly · 17 Jan 2008, 14:25 (Ref:2108061)

oh yes, it will get its twin 40 feeding snout reinstated as well

no rear engines until I get a DeTOmaso Vallelunga

esper · 17 Jan 2008, 20:32 (Ref:2108279)

ZEF on continental computers it looks green???? is it really green?????

terence · 17 Jan 2008, 20:37 (Ref:2108289)

Quote:

Originally Posted by esper

ZEF on continental computers it looks green???? is it really green?????

No ,it burns petrol.

zefarelly · 18 Jan 2008, 08:12 (Ref:2108554)

Esper, either your colour blind or you've been 'toking green' again

I'm currently struggling to design a roll cage that complies with the blue book, App K, and actually fits/gives me confidence it'll actually improve safety ! the fronts easy, its getting the rear stays in at 30 degrees without ploughing through the rear axle clearance and landing behind it!

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