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Rodley
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Rodley 750 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Rodley Automobile Company |
| Production | 1954-1956 |
| Class | microcar |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Engine | 750 cc JAP |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 80 inches 2.03 m (saloon) |
| Length | 109 inches 2.77 m |
| Width | 55 inches 1.40 m |
| Height | 59 inches 1.5 m |
| Curb weight | 1090 pounds 480 kg |
| Designer | Henry Brown |
The Rodley was a British microcar designed by Henry Brown and built by the Rodley Automobile Company in Leeds between 1954 and 1956.
The body was of steel construction, rather than the more usual glass fibre, and was mounted on a steel chassis. The engine was a rear mounted air cooled 750 cc twin cylinder unit made by JAP driving the rear wheels through a three speed gearbox and chain to the axle which had a friction differential. The suspension was by independent coil springs at the front and underslung semi elliptic at the rear. Steering was by a chain system.
Although the car was advertised as a four seater and fitted with four seats, those in the back were very small and cramped. The roof was fabric and could be rolled forwards to give an opening roof.
Although the production target was 50 cars a week only 65 were ever built and only one is believed to survive. It was at the time the cheapest four wheel car available on the British market but rapidly acquired a very poor reputation especially for over heating to the extent of catching fire.
A-Z of Cars 1945-1970. Michael Sedwick and Mark Gillies. Bay View Books 1993. ISBN 1-870979-39-7