The Rochdale company was founded in 1948 by Frank Butterworth and Harry Smith in an old mill building in Hudson Street, Rochdale. They performed general motor repairs and made themselves some alloy bodies, usually single-seaters, for racing
Austin 7s and other cars. They went on to sell the bodies as the Mk II.
Rochdale Mk IV In 1954 Rochdale launched the Mark IV, using a glass fibre, two-door, two-seater body that was supplied as a bare shell. It was offered with several wheelbases, ranging from 81 inches, primarily intended for the Austin 7 chassis, up to 108 inches. In addition to a suitable chassis, the purchaser/builder had to provide all the interior fittings and the brackets to locate the mechanical components. The body cost £47 10 shillings (£47.50) and was available until 1961. About 150 were made.
Rochdale ST 1955 saw the introduction of the more complete ST kit, designed to fit the
Ford 10 or
Ford Popular chassis. Doors and bonnet were ready-fitted and all bulkheads were included. The open body was not rigid enough, so only a few cars were made before the kit was replaced in 1959 by the GT. 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, twin-carburettor version, of the 1.5 litre
BMC B-series engine, independent front suspension by torsion bar modified from that of the
Morris Minor and a 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 were mounted 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. A very complete kit, including an engine and all other mechanical parts, cost £670. About 250 were made when the fire caused production to be suspended. The body moulds are now owned by the Rochdale Owners Club. ==Production==