MONICA

MONICA 

Tasteven Jean (Jean Tastevin) has successfully led the company to produce CFPM wagons from Bobigny, France, near Lyon. In the late 60s. he got the idea to create their own cars and the organization of their release. After reading about the success of Chris Lawrence (Chris Lawrence) in motorsports, Tasteven invited him to cooperate.


After a long development period, which began in 1968 and was accompanied by numerous stops, model Monica appeared in its final form with the body compartments. This 4-door car had excellent performance and manageability. Air conditioning provided a comfortable environment for all four passengers
So a short-lived company Monica, produced not quite what I would like to Tastevenu. First of all, Lawrence suggested that the forced version of the engine from the Triumph TR4 ("Triumph"), but the French manufacturer asked him to create a completely new car.
Work on the model began in 1967 in the UK. Prepared for racing Triumph engine was again rejected. Instead, it stopped on its own 3-liter V8, which made Tad Martin (Ted Martin), a partner of Lawrence. But the project is a sports car turned in favor of the class machines "that the Grand Ring." Already in 1968 there was a first prototype. It took another two years to fine-tune the appearance of the body and making the next six prototypes. In 1972, when the car shown at the Paris Motor Show, Tasteven bought a draft parted with Lawrence and called the name of his wife's car.


Long, low and sleek, hand-made cars Monica was V-shaped 8-cylinder engine Chrysler (5,6 l). He provided the car a top speed of 240 km / h and acceleration from a standstill to 96 km / h in 7.7 s. Of the 30 cars built 25 prototypes were
Yet Monica has undergone many changes, including the body, before going on sale. More important was the engine replaced Martin on the big and heavy, but reliable engine Chrysler V8 ("Chrysler"). Unfortunately, Monica repeated the fate of his predecessor spiritual Facel Vega ("Fasel Run"). The car just ordered some French buyers, several other people were thinking of purchasing this machine with a powerful American motor. The energy crisis of 1973 did not want to make a purchase he added.
In the end, before the company closed in February 1975, was released only a few machines Monica. The bankruptcy of this small company could come earlier, but it maintained the company CFPM. After the closure of car manufacturing plant in Bobigny switched entirely to the production of cars, and attempts to revive the project Monica Lawrence nor to no avail.
Monica ("Monica"), 1973-1975
The construction of the first Monica is wholly owned by Chris Lawrence. This 4-door sedan "Grand Touring" with a front engine, reminiscent of Facel Vega, Lagonda ("Lagonda"), Iso Rivolta ("Iso Rivolta") and Maserati ("Maserati"). To compete with Ferrari ("Ferrari"), he could not because of its engine.
Lawrence has created a vehicle based on a tubular frame, front engine layout and rear-axle type de Dion ("De Dion") with the main gear from the car Rover P6B ("Rover"). Body style he developed on their own. The first body of the alloy was built by Lawrencetune ("Lourenstyun"), and the second - Williams & Pritchard ("William and Pritchard") from London.


The shape of the front end of the high-speed machines contributed to the increase downforce acting on front wheels
The next four years, Jean Tasteven he was responsible for the appearance of the car, inviting French designers Koline Robert (Robert Collinee) and Tony Raskanyu (Tony Rascanu). The final finishing shape of the body produced by David Koued (David Coward). The third prototype fabricated Italian steel firm Kuzovnaja Vignale ("Vignal"), then the company Airflow Streamlines ("Eyrflou Strimlayns") has prepared two sets of body panels made ​​of aluminum.


For upholstery Monica used the best materials, including natural wood and leather
Confusion continued on. An attempt was made to order for Rolls-Royce ("Rolls Royce") castings for engines and bodywork in Jensen ("Jensen"). In the end, decided to organize its own production of steel bodies.
All this took time, which already was not enough. Away from the engine Martin could not. Even with the increased to 3.4 liters working volume of the engine did not meet the developers. Therefore, in the winter 1972-73. Tasteven stopped at Chrysler V8 engine and the corresponding automatic transmission.
The car body with the final version presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1973 He was carrying an American engine and has a top speed of about 240 km / h Complete machine, at least on paper, was to become a competitor.
Nevertheless, sales have not begun until 1974, when the car was worth 14 thousand GBP - About the same amount requested for the Lamborghini Espada ("Lamborghini Espada"). Naturally, the demand for Monica almost was not. A year later, the project Tasteven closed. Were built 30 to 35 cars Monica.


The company, like Monica Facel Vega, and Iso Rivolta wanted to combine his own body and a powerful American motor. The car turned out great, but there were very few buyers

Characteristics (1974)
Engine: V8, two overhead camshafts
Bore and Stroke: 102,6 x84, 06 mm
Displacement: 5560 cm3
Maximum Power: 280 hp
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Chassis: tubular frame for
Suspension: the helical springs, front independent, rear de Dion axle
Brakes: disc
Body: 4-seater sedan
Maximum speed: 241 km / h