What 'elf and safety??

[vincereynard]

Fibreglass is smelly, sticky and rather unpleasant in large quantities.

Fancy laying it up from INSIDE the mould?

Rochdale Olympic circa 1960?

No mask , no safety specs etc etc. It did make an exceptionally strong, genuine monocoque but what fun that must have been.

[john.p.clegg]

I know two people who are restoring one each...

John

[vincereynard]

I had one of each. A Phase 1 and a 2.

If I had known then what I know now I could have made a much better job and, maybe, had it much longer.

Tell then to double check the suspension alignement! (Especially Phase 2)

Potentially a bit special.

[alfadave]

I have to admit, I am one of the guilty parties.

I'm restoring and Olympic phase 1.

Much more of a challenge than the plus 2 restoration I did a few years ago.

Interesting history on the Rochdale Owners Club website.

And a phase 2R project for sale on the Forum.

These cars still don't command silly money.

The club sec has a nice phase 1 for sale for £12k. He is in Shropshire. PM me if you want his contact.

[vincereynard]

I have to admit, I am one of the guilty parties.
I'm restoring and Olympic phase 1.
Much more of a challenge than the plus 2 restoration I did a few years ago.
Interesting history on the Rochdale Owners Club website.
And a phase 2R project for sale on the Forum.
These cars still don't command silly money.
The club sec has a nice phase 1 for sale for £12k. He is in Shropshire. PM me if you want his contact.

Thanks for the update. I shall be seriously interested when I have finally finished my +2.

If you haven't got a copy I thoroughly recommend - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROCHDALE-OLY ... 3328361589

Reading this made me realise where I went wrong all those years ago!!
Vince

[alfadave]

Its in front of me as I type!

Very helpful Owners Club for technical info.

And they keep a stock of spares also.

Have a look at Scholar Racing website.

Keith Hamer is one of the founding members of the club, and restores them for a living. His workshop is located in South Wirral.

[vincereynard]

I was the Magazine Editor 83 > 85 (ish). I knew Keith personally, but its a long time ago!

I still have windscreen shares somewhere. Wonder if they are still valid?

[john.p.clegg]

Is there room to put a Zetec engine and Type 9 gearbox in them?

John

[alfadave]

John,
the phase 2 had Ford pre crossflow and crossflow engines.

Burtons have the necessary kit to convert a Zetec to rwd, to fit in mk1 and mk2 Escorts.

So, the answer is yes!

[vincereynard]

Is there room to put a Zetec engine and Type 9 gearbox in them?

John

John,

902DUF has a 2.5 litre Cosworth V6 (+ Coswoth running gear), at least 2 others have 2lt Zetecs.
At least one with DeDion suspenders and / or variations of independence. Anything goes!

http://www.rochdale-owners-club.co.uk/Ownersolympic.htm

Vince