1960 Rochdale GT                                     Regis...

Estimate

£9,000 - £11,000

1960 Rochdale GT                                    

Registration Number: 301 UYO (formerly 71 SPA)
Chassis Number: 1402
Recorded Mileage: 8,940 miles

- Subject of an exacting restoration to a very high standard, at an estimated cost of c.£20,000

Established in, naturally, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, Rochdale’s car fibreglass range of sportcars ran from 1948 and 1973. The firm was founded in 1948 by Frank Butterworth and Harry Smith starting with general motor repairs and alloy bodies for Austin 7 and other racing cars. In the late 1950s the firm produced nearly 1,000 GT body shells designed to fit the Ford E93A Ford Popular chassis. Right at the end of production they produced their own special tubular steel chassis that could be bonded to the shell, sadly though a major factory fire stopped production of the GT.  Tubular steel-framed cars are now super rare and it is estimated there are less than 5 running examples in the world.  

This exceptionally rare late tubular-framed GT has enjoyed a hugely comprehensive restoration in the workshops of esteemed specialist Spencer Lane Jones of Warminster, using as the basis its original chassis, body, engine and running gear.

Previously owned by respected collector and journalist Malcolm McKay, the car had largely being a restoration project for some 40 years before being acquired by our enthusiastic vendor. Our vendor was able to get a copy of the factory order sheets for the car; it was clear this was a well-specified example with almost every desirable option purchased for fitting at the outset. Getting to work, he was determined the car would be restored to its original build specification and to a high standard. Absolutely every component on the GT has been removed, inspected, reconditioned and correctly rebuilt. The shell was stripped of several layers of paint, any fibre-glass repairs professionally made, refinished in white, and bonded in several places to the tubular chassis, which is thought to be up to seven times stiffer than the previous Ford chassis. The body was built up, carefully fitting doors, windows/winders and a new/old stock rear screen. 

Work on the chassis was limited to stripping the suspension and refurbishing all joints, pins and bearings, and adjustable coil-over shock absorbers. A set of replacement rare and desirable wider Ballamy wheels eventually turned up in Holland, and were fitted.

The 1172cc Ford engine was stripped and rebuilt with new pistons and mated to its rare Aquaplane head fitted with big valves, a sports camshaft and twin SUs. The gearbox and axle were also rebuilt with new bearings and seals as required. The electrical system was modified to 12 volt negative earth, a modern hi-torque starter motor, electric water pump, also a “dynamator” (an alternator that looks like the original fitment) installed to replace the old generator.

The interior was reconstructed with a new gearbox tunnel in aluminium and fibreglass, the original Rochdale dash panel repaired, and a tubular steel brace fitted under the dash to enhance the shell rigidity. Referring to lots of period images, an authentic interior design was devised. The original bucket seats were repurposed, stuffed, retrimmed in red leather and mounted on sliding frames, the door panels trimmed to match, and the car plushly carpeted. The overall impression inside the car we must say, very inviting.

Due to a lack of period documentation when the car was purchased, when it came to returning the Rochdale to the road, the car was assigned an age-related registration number, we hope it will eventually be reunited with its original number, 71 SPA.

The GT starts easily, keeps cool, the engine spins up nicely and the car rides nicely without rattling over uneven surfaces. Really comfortable and tremendous fun, this is a fantastic example of what enthusiasts got up to in their sheds in the 1950s/60s. Rochdale GTs are very rare prospects, and a concours example such as this is quite simply unique.

Buyers will be interested to note the Rochdale has just been checked over by Martin Boon at TI Developments ahead of the sale, to ensure all is working and in order.