Unipower

Infobox Automobile


name = Unipower GT
production = 1966-1975 75 made
manufacturer = Universal Power Drives Ltd
body_style = 2 door coupé
engine = 998 or 1275 cc Straight-4
transmission = 4 speed manual
wheelbase = 84 inches (2134 mm)cite book |last=Culshaw |first= |authorlink= |coauthors=Horrobin |title=Complete Catalogue of British Cars |year=1974 |publisher=Macmillan |location=London |id=ISBN 0-333-16689-2]
length = 164 inches (4166 mm)
width = 57 inches (1448 mm)
Height = 40 inches (1027 mm)The Unipower GT was a British specialist sports car first shown at the January 1966 Racing Car Show, and produced by truck maker Universal Power Drives Ltd in Perivale, Middlesex and later by U.W.F. Automotive in London until production ceased in early 1970, by which time around 75 are believed to have been made, including about 15 built by U.W.F..

The car was based on BMC Mini mechanical components with the transverse engine and gearbox unit mounted in a mid-engine configuration. A strong spaceframe chassis with integral roll-over protection was bonded to a fibreglass body to produce a light yet rigid structure, with all-round independent coil spring and wishbone suspension. Combining light weight, a low centre of gravity and low aerodynamic drag from a body that measured just 40.5 inches high, the Unipower offered very good performance and excellent road holding and handling characteristics. Available with the 998 cc Mini-Cooper or more potent 1275 cc Cooper "S" engine, this latter version was reported to be capable of 0-60 mph in around 8 seconds and to have a maximum speed of almost convert|120|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on.

A design was produced for a larger Unipower but this did not go into production with the original makers instead eventually evolving into the AC ME3000.

Unipower also made a limited number of the "glass box" Quasar-Unipower cars.

References