Frank Butterworth and Harry Smith started doing general repairs and then made some alumininium car bodies in Rochdale, Greater Manchester from 1948. From 1954 the Rochdale MkIV bare shell was offered in fibreglass and available in different lengths for customers to build to their chassis of choice. Monkspath Garage at Solihull supplied the shells as well as other parts, and did similar business with other makes of specials. A more complete car, the Rochdale ST was launched in 1955 designed for Ford chassis, but it proved not to be strong enough. To correct the failings of the Rochdale ST the fixed head coupe Rochdale GT was launched in 1957 based on the Ford Popular chassis and from 1960 on a Rochdale chassis. A variety of engines and mechanics could be fitted. The Rochdale Riviera was a rare open top version of the GT. Richard Parker designed the monocoque Rochdale Olympic and this went into production in 1960, as only the third monocoque fibreglass car. In February 1961 the Hudson Street factory burned down and production had to be transferred to Littledale Street. At the 1963 London Racing Show the Rochdale Olympic Phase II was launched, with opening rear hatch, and a standardised Ford 1500 GT specification. However, sales declined from 1967 and production ended in 1973.