Cars you may never have heard of - the "Monica"

"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile) 03/20/2014 at 10:03 • Filed to: None

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This is the Monica. A then-contemporary car in 1973 when my World of Automobiles encyclopedia was written, the concern folded in '74. Brainchild of the french industrialist Jean Tastevin, engineered by C.J. Lawrence, Hammersmith. I'll tell you a few things you can find on Wikipedia, but then get to the stuff Wikipedia leaves out -the cool stuff.

First off, the design was intended to be a luxury grand-tourer, similar to the previously folded Facel Vega. To that end, it's a four-seater, and was equipped with a V-8 - originally a Ted Martin 3.4 but replaced with a Chrysler 340. It was available with a ZF five-speed(!) or a Torqueflite 3, but that's not the crazy part that Wikipedia leaves out - a two-speed rear axle(!!). Yes, the Monica was equipped with a very modified Rover sedan/saloon-derived rear diff that was altered to provide a lower ratio with the drop of a lever. What we have, then, is a French ten-speed manual RWD V8 - worship it.

That wacky diff, due to origins and setup, led to the rear suspension being De Dion - being a French/British small concern, they probably would have done that anyway, but I digress. The car weighed in at 3600lb, so needed to manage it well.

Why did it weigh so much? Well, like an E-type, it was a welded-up monocoque sectional unibody, so that's not an answer in itself - indeed, it should/could have weighed a lot less. However, we're discussing a luxury car, and one that needed the body stiffness for four doors - so building it like the proverbial brick shithouse was de rigueur (that's French and stuff).

What was happening up front, you might ask? - as the two-speed badonkadonk + De Dion and weight have been covered... Well,

As you can see, the body construction wasn't the only thing cribbed from the E-type - the idea to separate the engine from the radiator was adopted as well. You'd also be correct to note that the design features inboard springs. Perverse in its own way, but this is a luxury GT that weighs quite a bit - smoothness and best grip for its weight were paramount.

Another thing setting Monica apart from Mr. E was the level of accessory - everything possible available in powered version. Power locks, power brakes, power steering, power windows, and of course, I believe A/C was available.

Also, of course, power pop-up headlights after the earliest prototypes.

Here, then, is the trouble: the company took so long getting into gear that it landed right on top of the oil crisis. Already struggling by the time my encyclopedia produced its glowing write-up, it closed its doors after producing only 8 production models and 22 prototypes. Panther Westwinds considered reviving it in '75, but ultimately passed on the opportunity - whether for better or worse, Monica was lost forever.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 10:05

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I don't know if anybbody on Oppo has done a Monica write-up before, but it was refreshed in my memory by an encyclopedia read the other day, so I thought I'd go Beyond Wiki a bit.

Party-vi > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 10:11

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It's gorgeous. Certainly better than what Aston with the Lagonda or Maserati's Quattroporte.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Party-vi 03/20/2014 at 10:16

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The one in the lead pic sold for 55k Euros a couple of years back. Rare as hell, but doesn't really seem to have a cult, so the price isn't what you'd expect.

RazoE > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 10:21

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NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! MOOONNIIICCCAAAA!!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > RazoE 03/20/2014 at 10:22

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Inorite? Even in bastardized form as it would have been from Panther, the world needs more giant 'Merican V8 powered French four-doors with ten speeds.

Jagvar > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 14:24

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Now this is a Monica worth risking impeachment for!

Mr. Sinister > RazoE 03/20/2014 at 14:26

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I believe you dropped this.

You had fordboy357 at "meat tornado" > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 14:26

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SirPoopyPants > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 14:33

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That's about all I can say about this car...

Basement Cat > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 14:34

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dogisbadob > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 14:47

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Well, it depends on what you mean by the word "is"

PhilipNotPhil > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 14:48

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That number plate..

Bullitt Ride > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 14:58

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Spencer > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 15:01

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Monica =

Lamborghini Islero Front end (1968-69)

+ 2 extra doors

+Ferrari 365 2+2 rear C-pillar / trunk profile. hmmm... That 3/4 view looks familiar. (1967-1972)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Spencer 03/20/2014 at 15:06

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Effectively a 365 2+2, an XJ-S, and some Secret French Sauce in a blender.

ptak appreciates old racecars > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 15:08

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NNNOOOOOO! MONICAAA!!!

AMC/Renauledge > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 15:17

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Absolutely lovely car. Nicely done.

ThirdCoastLines > Party-vi 03/20/2014 at 15:38

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Better than what Maserati would have managed with a similar-era Quattroporte. I would sell a kidney/sliver of liver to find out what a 2015 Monica would look like next to a 2015 QP.

ThirdCoastLines > Party-vi 03/20/2014 at 15:39

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(Apart from a pissing contest between Silvio Berlusconi and Nicolas Sarkozy over who has the best wet dreams)

Ginkei Garage Inc. > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 15:39

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Pure awesomeness, looks like the devilish child of a Jag XJS and a Lotus Elan +2.

fmafra > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 15:39

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This front reminded me of the 914 for some reason

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > fmafra 03/20/2014 at 15:44

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The light position is also reminiscent of the Matra 530, a bit.

Blondude > You had fordboy357 at "meat tornado" 03/20/2014 at 16:34

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This was the first thing I thought of.

AP1M > RazoE 03/20/2014 at 16:58

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Came here to post this LOL, great mindss....

ninjagin > Party-vi 03/20/2014 at 17:17

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I agree that it's gorgeous, but I happen to love the Lagonda and Quattroporte, too. There is room in my heart for all of them.

AndieJackson > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 17:43

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babou > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 17:45

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It's not "de rigeur" but "de rigueur"

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > babou 03/20/2014 at 18:04

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Fixed, missed that. Thanks.

tunsky > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 18:24

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Fine looking automobile

Aldairion > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 18:52

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The rear end just looks so perfect. I don't know why I like it so much.

SirRaoulDuke > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/20/2014 at 21:01

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Beautiful interior. Very classy. I would rock this, for sure.

tobythesandwich > RazoE 03/20/2014 at 22:00

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Came for the Ja Rule references. Leaving satisfied.

Party-vi > ninjagin 03/21/2014 at 08:11

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I wouldn't kick any out of my garage, but I would leave the Lagonda and Quattroporte out in the rain.

the7thearlofgrey > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/21/2014 at 11:18

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I read an article on the Monica in the Bristish car magazine Classic and Sports Car that the remaining inventory of Monica's was sold to a then little [sic] known Bernie Eccelstone for cash in the late 70's

Drivingforfunandprofit > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/21/2014 at 12:59

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Thank you for the interior pictures! This car is beautiful on the outside. The interior is not my favorite.

Allen > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/23/2014 at 15:44

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"...two-speed badonkadonk..."; that is all.

fcukyoukinja > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/24/2014 at 05:44

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The Monica, the-Monica, theMonica, ..., Demonica! You know, like a female demon :P