I need help, I only have a picture to go by... but I love the look of this kit car, and I want to know more:
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Dec. 17, 2008 10:26 a.m. hondaworkshop New Reader
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Dec. 17, 2008 10:28 a.m. Woody Dork
When you find out, please let me know so I can begin the search.
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Dec. 17, 2008 10:39 a.m. hondaworkshop New Reader
I THINK its possibly based on a TVR something (griffith-ish, vixen-ish) from the 60's.
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Dec. 17, 2008 10:40 a.m. pkrstr8 New Reader
Boy I would bet you could start with an MGB GT and do some body work much cheaper then a full kit shipped from Europe. I am assuming from the plate.
Plus the pain in a kit car is sourcing the windshield, lights...etc. It would all be there for you to start with. Take a look for the GT version and see if it is close enough to start with
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Dec. 17, 2008 10:45 a.m. hondaworkshop New Reader
Yeah, but what about the the suspension on a BGT vs a kit car, and if the kit is tube-based, even better.
What I'm looking into is a lotus-7 like car on the inside with a more 'full' body style.
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Dec. 17, 2008 10:57 a.m. bravenrace HalfDork
hondaworkshop wrote:
I THINK its possibly based on a TVR something (griffith-ish, vixen-ish) from the 60's.
It may be based on a TVR, but it isn't a TVR (I know you didn't say it was, just clarifying).
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Dec. 17, 2008 10:59 a.m. minimac Dork
The answer is always ....Miata! That is if they made a fast back coupe.
Keith-are you hearing this?
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Dec. 17, 2008 11:07 a.m. m4ff3w Dork
Rochdale Olympic
http://www.rochdale-owners-club.co.uk/olympic.htm
The real breakthrough came in 1959 with the monocoque Olympic designed by Richard Parker[2] and only the second glass fibre monocoque bodied car to enter production (after the Lotus Elite)[4]. This featured a closed coupé style bodyshell with the provision for 2+2 seating but the rear seats were very cramped and many builders left them out. Unlike many sports and low production cars of the time, wind down windows were installed.
Production started in 1960 using a Riley 1.5 litre twin cam engine, independent front suspension by torsion bar modified from that of the Morris Minor and live rear axle suspended by coil springs. Other engines could be fitted including the Morris Minor, MG MGA, and Ford 109E. The engine and front suspension was mouted on a tubular steel subframe bonded to the body shell and roll over protection was provided by a steel tube over the windscreen. The car appeared at the Copenhagen Racing Car Show and the Geneva Motor Show.[2] A very complete kit, including an engine and all other mechanical parts, cost £670.[5] About 250 were made when the fire caused production to be suspended.[1] The car was available in both left and right hand drive and cars were exported to several countries including Australia and the United States. On test by The Motor magazine in 1961 a 1.5 litre Riley engined model achieved a top speed of 102 mph (164 km/h) and a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 11.9 seconds[5].
The Phase II Olympic was introduced in 1963 at the London Racing Car Show[2] and was now standardised on a 78 bhp Ford 116E 1500 cc engine. Front suspension now used Triumph wishbone units whilst the rear used a BMC axle with coil springs. Front disc brakes were fitted. The car weighed under 12 cwt and could reach 114 mph (183 km/h) with a 0-60 mph time of under 11 seconds. The rear window was made to open to give better access to the interior. The car was available as a complete kit for around £735 or fully built for £930 and about 150 were made.[1] Production declined rapidly after 1967 but the last body was made in 1973.[1]
The body moulds are now owned by the Rochdale Owners Club.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochdale_(car)#The_Rochdale_Olympic
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Dec. 17, 2008 11:40 a.m. Josh Reader
So nobody else thought to google the file name?
EDIT: Ok, so one guy did.
EDIT #2: Ok, so I can't post links now? I had attempted to link that same Rochdale page.
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Dec. 17, 2008 11:56 a.m. Keith UltraDork
minimac wrote:
The answer is always ....Miata! That is if they made a fast back coupe.
Keith-are you hearing this?
They DID make a fast-back coupe, both a pretty show car in 1995 and a production version in 2002-ish in Japan.
I decided I liked the looks of the MGB GT (which, other than being a fastback, doesn't look much like this thing). The next time it moves under its own power, I don't think it'll have any moving parts with an MG part number...
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Dec. 17, 2008 12:31 p.m. hondaworkshop New Reader
Ahh, thanks! So the olympic had Triumph front suspension after all.
I still love the BGT looks too... Are there fiberglass replacement parts for them? Are there suspension conversions for them?
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Dec. 17, 2008 2:31 p.m. pkrstr8 New Reader
Yes there is fiberglass parts, and a GT is alot closer/cheaper to start the body work then to try and find this as a shell! Wasn't there a 912 that was rusted and busted on here? Add some front work from that to a GT you are close. Shave the trim, nothing you can do about the Jag type rear glass, but I bet some of the GT6 rear sheet metal would get you that sorta Jag droop. Again a rusted find on here.
I have also seen a few B's with the new MINI headlights and that gets you pretty darn close to a modern look to the car in question.
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Dec. 17, 2008 3:21 p.m. hondaworkshop New Reader
I just looked through some craigslist postings with BGTs... what year/model should I avoid? I want the best suspension, and I would want to put a modern 4-cylinder motor in it (puts on flame-retardant-suit). So a working motor is optional as long as its one I can drop a motor into.
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Dec. 17, 2008 3:40 p.m. Ian F Reader
hondaworkshop wrote:
I just looked through some craigslist postings with BGTs... what year/model should I avoid? I want the best suspension, and I would want to put a modern 4-cylinder motor in it (puts on flame-retardant-suit). So a working motor is optional as long as its one I can drop a motor into.
If you want to do that much to the car, there aren't enough differences between years to matter.
Personally, a modern I4 would be more annoying than it's worth... Rover V8 FTW.
Suspension (and engine swaps): www.fastcarsinc.com
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Dec. 17, 2008 7:32 p.m. gamby UberDork
That car is so hot as-is. Love the proportions, those flares and those wheels.
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Dec. 17, 2008 7:48 p.m. Keith UltraDork
Ah, don't bother going with something as weedy as a Rover engine if you're going V8. Might as well use a modern 4-cylinder if you're aiming that low
GRM ran a three-part series on putting a Miata motor in one, I think it would be a nice update.
There are definitely differences between the years, although not so much in drivetrain as in interior appointments and the dreaded rubber bumpers. The suspension never really changed, it was lever-arm shocks the entire time. Fast Cars sells some very nice shiny expensive stuff of course. Most important is going to be condition. Rust sucks, but it loves it an MG.
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Dec. 18, 2008 6:30 a.m. hondaworkshop New Reader
Thanks guys!
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Dec. 19, 2008 11:59 a.m. internetautomart SuperDork
am I the only one who sees a 911 in there?
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Dec. 19, 2008 4:36 p.m. purplepeopleeater New Reader
The thing is that like putting a chibby motor into a Ford all the hard work has been done about dropping a Rover V8 into an MG. A mechanic can do that swap. Fabricating what you need to drop a late 4 popper into a B requires some serious engineering & mad fab skills. Bs aren't that hard to find but I'm so tired of seeing some cut up relic rusting away in the back yard because' Doofus' was gonna make a hot rod out of it but ran out of time, skill, & money after he took it apart & cut himself some working room. Hey, there are people on the list who can do the hard work ,I'm not talking to them. But start with an easy onewhere there's lots of info available. 200 hp in a 2000lb car gets you lots of bragging rights & something you can drive.
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Dec. 19, 2008 5:52 p.m. Keith UltraDork
I've driven a Rover-powered MGB. It was underwhelming. Made a great noise though.
I'm not convinced a Miata engine in a B involves "mad fab skills". Again, check the writeup in GRM.
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Feb. 4, 2009 6:22 a.m. DUFFY None
hondaworkshop wrote:
If you wish to know more about this car, try a link belowI need help, I only have a picture to go by... but I love the look of this kit car, and I want to know more:
www.rochdale-owners-club.co.uk
www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/ubbthreads.php/topics/327716/Rochdale_Olympic_help...
http://www.britishcarforum.com/files/Tony_Stanton.pdf
http://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showgallery/Number/331068
Old age and Treachery will overcome Youth and Skill 1963 Rochdale Olympic Phase III - DUFFY
Kind regards Tony
