PLEASE HELP.........WHAT IS THIS CAR?

[m1nky]

I have recently bought this car and I will not have the paperwork until the end of the week, but the suspense is killing me. So can anyone tell me what it is.
I know its 1961, 1.2cc and is a Ford. It is all fibreglass so I am presuming Kit Car although it may be original.
Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

[JoePublic]

It does look familiar, but not sure. However, what I would say is that there was a massive thing for 'special' building in the '50s and early '60s and the Ford 1172 was the number one choice, along with the Austin Seven, so it could be completely bespoke.

Ah ha! A quick google later...

I think it's an Ashley: http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/my_car_ashley.htm

[seansverige]

The Ashley is similar in shape but has one piece front end vs. bonnet, different side glazing & rear screen different shape and one piece tail.

Have you tried this site? http://www.1950sspecials.com/home.htm

Whatever ever it is, it looks pretty cute

[Steve_D]

The Ashley nose and headlights look different so I don't think it is that.
Can also rule out the 'Ford Falcon Caribbean' as I've just looked at a photo I have of the one I built when I was 16.

Looks pretty mind and 'Specials' are becoming popular now.

Steve

[Roman]

If that car was in the West Midlands think I went to view it about 8 years ago - still looks good!

I think it's a Rochdale GT:
http://www.rochdale-owners-club.co.uk/owners.htm

http://www.rochdaleproject.co.uk/page_123349180141...

Edited by Roman on Monday 16th November 13:05

[JoePublic]

Does look rather Rochdale-like. Is there a reason they all seem to have bonnet scoops (high mounted carb or something?) I saw that on the Ashley and assumed we had a winner.

[seansverige]

It was a good guess Joe, but I think Roman's on the money

Funnily enough my first thought was Rochdale, but I realised that was down to the headlights (Beetle?) and whilst I know they did stuff before the Oylmpic, it's that I'm familiar with and knew it wasn't one of those. Check out Olympic phase 2/3 '902 DUF' on Roman's first link: sch-weet.

Here's another GT
http://www.freewebs.com/cands/rochdalegt.htm

There are a few differences, but within kit variations

[Roman]

seansverige said:

Check out Olympic phase 2/3 '902 DUF' on Roman's first link: sch-weet.

I've seen that very car at several shows - it is superb and I'd love one! (I imagine it would go very nicely fitted with a K series..

[seansverige]

Personally I'd like to see back on the market updated to use a modern, single donor - I reckon you'd have a winner on your hands...

coupla' nice pics here
http://www.flickr.com/groups/rochdale_cars/pool/

[Snapper7]

Looks very nice

[rdodger]

Lovely looking cars. Ideal for an MX5 donor.

[Ferg]

rdodger said:

Ideal for an MX5 donor.

You disgust me sometimes.....

[rdodger]

Ferg said:

rdodger said:

Ideal for an MX5 donor.

You disgust me sometimes.....

Cheers Ferg

[Tyre_Tread]

1.2cc - Hmmmmm should be economical!

[m1nky]

Thanks for all the reply's and help.
It is indeed a Rochdale GT. Many thanks to Richard from the Ashley owners club for his help and direction. I bought it to fulfil a promise and now need to decide what to do with it!
A good clean and a drive when its dry will be a good start

[seansverige]

Good luck, and hope it goes as well as it looks!

[yazza54]

rdodger said:

Ferg said:

rdodger said:

Ideal for an MX5 donor.

You disgust me sometimes.....

Cheers Ferg

I'd fit an RSJ to the back of it, and a big spoiler

[HereBeMonsters]

Tyre_Tread said:

1.2cc - Hmmmmm should be economical!

Is it radio controlled?

[JoePublic]

This thread popped into my head over the weekend. I stumbled upon this at the Exeter show:



It was a Rochdale-based special. I believe it started off as a convertible, a four seat one at that, before having the roof grafted on. Built/modified by a father and son in the '50s. Power comes courtesy of a Ford van engine and gearbox apparently. Looked gorgeous.

[hal 1]

Definately a Rochdale GT, i used to own one, mine was so knackered when i bought it i used a Triumph Herald chassis and running gear and sold the ford stuff, the chassis was way beyond repair, the headlights are indeed from a pre 67 beetle, one of the problems with the chassis is that it flexed due to it being removed from the steel body of the ford, this sometimes caused the bonnet to fly open and take out the windscreen and sometimes part of the roof, as mine did, before i bought it! one of the tips was to box the chassis to stiffen it up, the chassis on mine was from 1937, the front screen is actually the rear screen from a 50s morris oxford i think and the door frames and glass from a morris minor two door, if they're chrome they're off a traveller, the rochdale owners club are worth contacting, it certainly looks better than mine did when i got it, nice one



BTW rochdale did their own convertable version called the Riviera

Edited by hal 1 on Tuesday 24th November 20:56