Monica was a brand of luxury cars created in France in the 1970s by Jean Tastevin.

Monica was the last attempt (after Facel Vega) to create a luxury brand in France. Its only French competitor was the Citroën SM Opéra, the sedan which was built by Chapron.

Although intended to be built in France, design, development and prototype building was entrusted to Chris Lawrence at C.J. Lawrence Consultants of Hammersmith, London, England. The 4-door, 4-seat saloon featured a De Dion rear suspension. Final styling and trimming was by David Coward, -ex James Young (coachbuilders) and Motor magazine.

The earliest prototype Monicas were powered by a Ted Martin designed 3.4l V8 engine but later prototypes and the production model were equipped with a Chrysler 5.6 l (340 in³) V8 engine. The styling and prototype body moulds were produced by Bob Curl in Hastings.

The car was presented at the Salon de Paris 1972 and production began in 1973 at a facility located in Balbigny, Loire. Only 8 production cars (as well as 22 prototypes) were completed before the factory closed in 1974, a victim of the 1973 oil crisis.

A plan by Panther Westwinds to resume production in England was not completed.

 

If you have a Photo of a Monica and would like to see it displayed here.
Please send it to us and help contribute to Automotive History Online.

 

Contact Us      Home      France    Links    Site Updates

Copyright © 2005 - 2007 Randall Glover, All rights reserved.

Much of the material on this website is in the public domain and has no copyright attached to it. Original articles & Photo's appearing herein are subject to copyright. Please don't copy stuff from this site without asking; it may belong to someone! Material on this website is presented solely for historical research and educational purposes only. Any trademarks appearing on this site are the sole property of the registered owners. No endorsement by the trademark owners is to be construed, nor was any sought. The products, brand names, characters, related slogans and indicia are or may be claimed as trademarks of their respective owners. The use of such material falls under the Fair Use provisions of intellectual property laws.