RARE 1914 UNIC CAR

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32118, 14 October 1969, Page 20

RARE 1914 UNIC CAR

Thls 1914 four-cylinder tonic, owned by Mr and Mrs I. D. Taylor, of Christchurch, is believed to be the only surviving example of this model, and is one of only 15 pre-1920 Unics left in the world.

Georges Richards started making Benz-type cars in 1897, combining with Brazier in 1902 to make the Richards Brazier ear. In spite of the good reputation the model gained by winning the 1904 and 1905 Gordon Bennett races, among other events, Richards decided to go it

alone. In 1904 he founded Ste. Anon des Autos Unic in Puteaux, France. Richards decided on a policy of making one model to suit all purposes—hence the name “Unic” (“one only”). The name lasted, but the policy did not—by 1910 Richards had 20 different models listed. The name still exists today, for Unic is the truck division of Simca Motors.

The name Unic is inseparably associated with London taxis, for the 12/4 model was designed expressly to con-

form to Metropolitan Police regulations, and remained unchanged from 1908 to 1928, during which period 90 per cent of all London taxis were -Unics. Yet only one of these taxis has survived—it is now in the Montagu Motor Museum at Beaulieu, England. The car illustrated is the 12/18 h.p. model, and it was one of five imported into New Zealand in 1914 in chassis form for Mocketts Motors of Culverden. Sevenseater touring bodies were fitted by Stevens and Sons in Christchurch, and the Unicis were used as service cars on the Christchurch to Hanmer and .North Canterbury routes until the late 19205, when they were sold. This particular car was found in derelict condition on a North Canterbury farm, and/ was completely restored, jit f has since clocked thousands of miles in VintagO Car Club rallies'lh the South Island. ...... The tonic, which is at present' in the Yaldhurst 'Transport Museum, has a 2603 c.c. four - cylinder monoblock engine with side-valves. It has a four-speed, gearbox, a foot brake working on the transmission and a handbrake working on the rear wheels, and the crankshaft has two main bearings.

The car’s top speed is about 45 m.p.h., and its cruising speed is between 35 m.p.h. and 40 m.p.h. Its fuel consumption is 18 to 20 miles a gallon.