Left is a photo of Olympic ESU815 taken at the Burwood Classic Car show, Sydney, Australia in 1998 shortly after Keith bought it. It is now undergoing a slow restoration as time+ $$ permit. It is one of 2 Olympics in Australia both phase 2 with phase 1 front suspension, Neil Roshier owns the other one. Indeed, it is also one of only 3 Rochdales including a GT in South Australia (unless you know otherwise!). Keith has re-engined ESU816 with a 1500 GT Cortina engine in place of the Fiat Twincam fitted when he bought the car, whist Neil's is still Fiat powered.

Left is a photo of 902 DUF a Rochdale Olympic P2/P3, affectionately known "DUFFY". Originally a one owner car dating from 1963, the car was subsequently bought in 1994 as a 60th Birthday present for the original designer of the Olympic Richard Parker. In 1996 Richard engineered modern running gear into a car he designed 37 years earlier in 1959 and the car returned to the road in 1998. It is now a comfortable road car with an easy ride, effortless performance, exceptional brakes and handling and good noise insulation. Both Tony and this beautiful one-off version of the Olympic can be seen at various shows throughout the season.

Left is a photo of William Culbert's 1968 Rochdale GT. The car is fitted with a Triumph 1500 engine and running gear. It was rebuilt between 1990 and 1998 by Jim Reid who is currently rebuilding a Olympic convertible. It is believed that there are only 3 Triumph 1500 engined cars in existence. The GT is great fun to drive and gets plenty of attention, wherever it goes.

More pictures of the car are at http://www.freewebs.com/cands/rochdalegt.htm

Left is a photo of Alan Farrer's Rochdale Olympic Phase 2 which must be one of the last made, being first registered in 1972.  When bought in 1992 it had a wonky old Wolseley 1500 motor and gearbox, but this was replaced by a Toyota Celica 1600 OHV engine and 5 speed gearbox of the same era (early 1970s).  As with most later engines the induction is on the driver's side, which means no space for the original twin choke downdraught carbs, so these were replaced by a single 44mm SU on a custom manifold.  After a disasterous "professionally" made exhaust system, Alan has refitted the original cast manifold fitted with self-made down pipes and exhaust. Apart from a new front subframe of Alan's own design (Ackermann anyone?) and nine or ten minor things the car is standard. By the way, the wheels are Fiesta/Escort, but are seldom recognised as such as they have been powder coated in silver.

Left is a picture of Richard Bennett's Rochdale Olympic Phase 1, reg. no. BPL 125. First registered on 1st January 1962 to Boon and Porter Ltd. The original colour was British Racing Green (current colour Lotus Racing Yellow). The car was built for Penelope Porter, daughter of Bob Porter, one of the directors of Boon and Porter Ltd. It was hill climbed and sprinted by Penelope in the mid sixties. The car was quite quick, recording a best time of 32.16 sec. for the standing kilometre the average speed over the last 44 yards was 96 m.p.h. (Brighton Speed trials). Bob Porter had a very good relationship with the BMC Special Tuning Department, which probably accounts for the odd engine number on the original block and on some of the parts which, records indicate, were for works competition use only.

The engine is MGA 1588c.c. with Westlake modified big valve head, ported and gas flowed, gearbox: MGA close ratio whilst the main running gear and suspension is Riley 1.5 with Morris Minor steering arms and tie rods.

Left is Brian Easton's Rochdale Olympic Phase 2, reg. no. RMG 5F. The picture shows the car 'as found'. As can be seen, it requires extensive renovation. Brian owned a phase 1 Olympic in the 1970's (more anon) so is no stranger to ownership. He intends to modify the car to include: Vauxhall 2.0 Litre 16v engine, Jaguar differential with inboard brakes, a De Dion rear axle and venturis (down force)!

Left is Colin Ellis's Phase II, reg no. BJX 510C. Bought three years ago as a retirement project, the car was in bits and has been built up from scratch. The car has a Ford engine (pre-crossflow), four speed Ford gearbox and an Escort back axle.