Another connection between Rochdale Motor Panels and TVR?
Discussion
Text from the Rochdale Owners Club Magazine - credit Derek Bentley Registrar.
On the 3rd June 1961 a Mr Thurner of 9 Queensway, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex ordered a Cream Rochdale Olympic shell, less engine and gearbox,
the ledger contains the note
'send body to Mr R Hallett, 96, Ashfield Road, Bispham, Blackpool..
This was dispatched on 9th September 1961.
The Olympic was registered WFV 812 in Blackpool on 15th September 1961, indicating a remarkably quick build on what was not even a complete kit.
When he subsequently advertised the car for sale in July 1965 Mr Thurner had moved to Horsham, West Sussex.
So, why would someone living in the South of England have the car assembled in Lancashire, but not at the Rochdale factory, and what is the possible
TVR connection?
Again referring to Peter Filby's TVR book:
'By the end of November (1959) yet another name had been added to the conglomeration running the company, John Thurner.... Thurner decided to
invest in the company in September and had now left his position as an engineer at Rolls-Royce to become Layton,,s technical director'.
(Layton Sports Cars were the owners of the TVR Company). John Thurner redesigned the TVR's chassis and suspension and stayed with the
company until early 1963 when he returned to Rolls Royce.
Was this the same Thurner who had purchased an Olympic, or a relation? It is not a particularly common name.
Back to Peter Filby's book:
"Following Sebring, the next important event was the May 1962 Tulip Rally. The TVR team was to be Arnold Burton and partner in the Burton Mk2,
John Pateman and partner in another Mk2 and Anne Hall and Val Domleo in the MG 1622 cc engined factory Mk2A. Fitted with all available
competition extras, the girl's car was prepared by David Hives, now in charge of all racing preparation under Ken Richardson and his assistant Bob Hallett.'
Was this the same R Hallett who had assembled the Olympic for Mr Thurner so quickly a year earlier?
It may just be coincidence of course, but having two names associated with both Rochdale’s and TVR needs to be investigated can anyone help?.
I have also found references to a J C Thurner racing TVR,s and a Lotus-Ford in the early 1960,s.
Regards Tony Stanton, Compiler of the Rochdale Olympic History Archives.
On the 3rd June 1961 a Mr Thurner of 9 Queensway, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex ordered a Cream Rochdale Olympic shell, less engine and gearbox,
the ledger contains the note
'send body to Mr R Hallett, 96, Ashfield Road, Bispham, Blackpool..
This was dispatched on 9th September 1961.
The Olympic was registered WFV 812 in Blackpool on 15th September 1961, indicating a remarkably quick build on what was not even a complete kit.
When he subsequently advertised the car for sale in July 1965 Mr Thurner had moved to Horsham, West Sussex.
So, why would someone living in the South of England have the car assembled in Lancashire, but not at the Rochdale factory, and what is the possible
TVR connection?
Again referring to Peter Filby's TVR book:
'By the end of November (1959) yet another name had been added to the conglomeration running the company, John Thurner.... Thurner decided to
invest in the company in September and had now left his position as an engineer at Rolls-Royce to become Layton,,s technical director'.
(Layton Sports Cars were the owners of the TVR Company). John Thurner redesigned the TVR's chassis and suspension and stayed with the
company until early 1963 when he returned to Rolls Royce.
Was this the same Thurner who had purchased an Olympic, or a relation? It is not a particularly common name.
Back to Peter Filby's book:
"Following Sebring, the next important event was the May 1962 Tulip Rally. The TVR team was to be Arnold Burton and partner in the Burton Mk2,
John Pateman and partner in another Mk2 and Anne Hall and Val Domleo in the MG 1622 cc engined factory Mk2A. Fitted with all available
competition extras, the girl's car was prepared by David Hives, now in charge of all racing preparation under Ken Richardson and his assistant Bob Hallett.'
Was this the same R Hallett who had assembled the Olympic for Mr Thurner so quickly a year earlier?
It may just be coincidence of course, but having two names associated with both Rochdale’s and TVR needs to be investigated can anyone help?.
I have also found references to a J C Thurner racing TVR,s and a Lotus-Ford in the early 1960,s.
Regards Tony Stanton, Compiler of the Rochdale Olympic History Archives.
Steve Reid is probably the most knowledgable person to speak to when referring to very early TVR history. He will I am sure be very interested to discuss with you. He prefers the old medium of an appliance with a wire fed handset that you dial and then speak to the person at the other end. e-mail me off line and give me your contact details and I will pass them on.
Cheers
neil.
Cheers
neil.
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