Monica GT Sports: France’s Forgotten Luxury Icon

Forgotten ONES - In the world of luxury cars, certain names resonate with history and passion. Just as Facel Vega once stood as a symbol of French automotive prestige, another name briefly flickered in that same realm—Monica. Named after the wife of its creator, industrialist Jean Tastevin, this car was poised to carry on the legacy of luxury French cars. But unlike many long-standing names in the industry, Monica’s time was tragically short, marking an interesting yet brief chapter in French automotive history.

The Monica sports GT, shown here as the 1973 Monica 560 V8 model, was created by Jean Tastevin's French company, Compagnie Française de Produits Métallurgiques (CFPM), in the early 1970s. (Picture from: GordonMercedes9 on X)

Jean Tastevin, known for his company that manufactured rolling stock for French railways, had a deep admiration for the luxurious creations of Facel Vega, a French luxury car maker that ceased production in 1964. Tastevin saw an opportunity to revive the spirit of French luxury motoring, and within two years, his thoughts were centered on building a new car that would fill the gap left behind by Facel Vega. This decision would eventually lead to the creation of the Monica, but the road to production was filled with challenges.

Monique Tastevin posed along with the GT car that bore her name. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

Unlike the Facel Vega models that were powered by large Chrysler V8 engines, Tastevin’s new car needed to comply with French tax regulations, which meant a smaller engine. The answer came in the form of a 2.6-liter Triumph TR4 engine, developed by Chris Lawrence, a skilled engineer and racing driver. 

The LawrenceTune/Standard-Triumph 2.6-liter engine, as seen here in a Morgan +4. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

Lawrence was initially contracted to supply these engines, but soon, he found himself at the heart of the project, offering his expertise not just in engineering but in car design as well. By 1966, work had begun on the new luxury saloon that would carry the Monica name.

The original Monica prototype, styled by Maurice Gomm. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

As the development progressed, the Monica featured innovative engineering for its time. Its suspension system was sophisticated, with a double-wishbone setup at the front and a Panhard rod at the rear. The car was equipped with disc brakes all around, ensuring it could stop as gracefully as it accelerated. 

The second Monica prototype, styled by Williams & Pritchard. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

Although the prototypes used an unassisted steering system, the production models were planned to include power-assisted steering for a smoother driving experience. The exterior design drew inspiration from iconic cars like the Maserati Indy and Lotus Elan, with a sleek and elegant front end that gave it a striking presence on the road.

A sketch of the Monica prototype made by Carrozzeria Vignale. (Picture from: Hagerty)

Inside, the Monica was no less impressive. Its interior was a blend of craftsmanship and luxury, with finely finished wood accents that gave the cabin a classic GT feel. The green scripted Veglia gauges added a touch of sophistication, while the dark blue leather upholstery paired with parchment-colored carpets created a comfortable and inviting environment. Rear seating was particularly plush, with thick padding and ample legroom, making it a true luxury saloon.

The third Monica prototype, styled by Carrozzeria Vignale. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

However, as the prototypes were built and tested, it became clear that the Triumph engine lacked the refinement necessary for a car of this stature. This led to a significant change in the powertrain. Lawrence, recognizing the need for a more refined engine, convinced Tastevin to switch to a 3.0-liter V8 designed by Ted Martin. Although the new V8 was smoother, it lacked low-end torque, prompting the decision to increase its displacement to 3.5 liters, which boosted power to 240 bhp when fitted with Weber carburettors.

A preproduction Monica 350 prototype powered by a Ted Martin's 3.0-liter V8 engine. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

Despite these improvements, the Monica’s journey was far from smooth. A series of prototypes were built over the following years, with various engineers and companies lending their expertise to the project. Renowned coachbuilders such as Chapron and Vignale, along with body builders Williams & Pritchard, contributed to different aspects of the car's development. This collaborative effort resulted in multiple body designs, engine configurations, and transmission setups, all while costs continued to rise.

A Monica prototype on public display for the first time in Paris. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

The Monica finally made its public debut at the Paris Salon in October 1971, under the name Monica 350. However, the car still lacked the performance to truly compete with its rivals, leading to another significant change. The decision was made to replace the 3.5-liter V8 with a more powerful 5.6-liter Chrysler V8, producing 285 bhp and 333 lb-ft of torque. 

The Monica 350, powered by a Ted Martin's 3.5-liter V8 engine, made its public debut at the Paris Salon in October 1971. (Picture from: DrivenToWrite)

This revised version, now called the Monica 560, was unveiled at the Geneva Salon in 1973. It was billed as the world’s fastest four-door saloon, boasting a top speed of 150 mph and a host of luxury features including air conditioning, electric windows, and high-end leather trim.

Interior view of the 1973 Monica 560 V8 GT. (Picture from: GordonMercedes9 on X)

Yet, despite its impressive specifications, the timing of the Monica’s release could not have been worse. The global oil crisis of the early 1970s made large, thirsty V8 engines far less appealing, and the Monica struggled to find buyers. By 1975, just as production was starting to gain momentum, Tastevin made the difficult decision to shut down the project. 

Rear three-quarter view of the 1973 Monica 560 V8 GT. (Picture from: GordonMercedes9 on X)

Although Panther Westwinds briefly considered continuing production in the UK, the plan ultimately fell through, leaving the Monica as a rare footnote in automotive history. As Jean Tastevin had envisioned a production run of 400 Monicas per year, but in the end, only 35 cars were ever built, most of which were pre-production prototypes.

Today, the Monica stands as the last independent French luxury car, joining the ranks of forgotten brands like Facel Vega and Delahaye. Though its time was brief, the Monica’s story remains a fascinating chapter in the history of luxury motoring—a testament to ambition, craftsmanship, and the ever-changing fortunes of the automotive world. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CURBSIDECLASSIC | HAGERTY | BRINGATRAILER | GORDONMERCEDES9 | WIKIPEDIA | DRIVENTOWRITE | RARECOMPONENTCARS ]

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