Classic Car Wiki

Introduction to Monica Automobiles

Monica was a short-lived but ambitious French automobile manufacturer, notable for its attempt to create a luxurious, high-performance grand touring (GT) car in the early 1970s. Though the brand was operational for only a few years and produced a limited number of cars, it remains a fascinating chapter in automotive history, representing both bold vision and the challenges of small-scale car manufacturing.

Origins: The Vision of Jean Tastevin

The Monica car project was the brainchild of French industrialist Jean Tastevin, who owned a precision engineering firm called CDF (Compagnie de Ferraillage et de Décolletage de l’Arve), based in the Haute-Savoie region of France. His company specialized in high-precision parts, particularly for the railway and aerospace industries.

In the late 1960s, disillusioned with the quality and availability of French luxury automobiles, Tastevin decided to create a French-built car that could compete with the best of Britain and Germany. The company name “Monica” was inspired by Tastevin’s wife, Monique, as a gesture of affection.

Development and Ambitions

Monica was never meant to be a mass-production brand. Rather, it was intended to represent the pinnacle of French engineering, elegance, and exclusivity. Tastevin envisioned a high-end GT car with refined styling, bespoke craftsmanship, and strong performance credentials — something akin to a French alternative to the Aston Martin or Maserati.

Initial Prototypes and Engineering

The first prototype appeared in 1970 and was designed by British engineer and designer Chris Lawrence, known for his work with Morgan and the Deep Sanderson racing cars. He collaborated with Monica to help realize the technical vision of the vehicle.

The early Monica prototypes were powered by a Chrysler 5.6L V8 engine, chosen for its reliability and performance. However, concerns about sourcing and performance led Tastevin to eventually select a Tigre V8 engine built by French engineer Jean-Pierre Beltoise under license from the American company Ted McIntyre.

Design and Specifications

The Monica 560 — the most well-known and final iteration of the brand — was a sleek, low-slung, four-door GT car. It featured:

• A tubular steel chassis with independent suspension all around
• Rear-wheel drive with a five-speed ZF manual gearbox
• Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering
• Leather-trimmed interiors with hand-crafted wood and metal accents
• Elegant fastback bodywork designed with a mix of French and British styling cues

The car could reportedly reach a top speed of over 130 mph (210 km/h), putting it in the same performance range as many well-known grand tourers of the time. Its refinement, comfort, and speed were considered excellent — especially for a car designed and produced largely in-house by a small company.

Production and Market Introduction

Monica began low-scale production of its cars in 1973 in a newly constructed factory in Balbigny, central France. Unfortunately, this coincided with one of the most turbulent economic periods in modern history.

The Oil Crisis and Economic Headwinds

The 1973 Oil Crisis drastically changed the automotive landscape. Demand for large, fuel-hungry luxury cars sharply declined as consumers and governments shifted focus to fuel economy and efficiency. This was a devastating blow for Monica, whose entire business model centered on producing a large, powerful V8 grand tourer.

In addition to global economic pressure, the Monica faced challenges with regulatory approvals, homologation, and the lack of an established sales or service network. The car was priced higher than comparable offerings from better-known brands, making it a hard sell to potential customers.

Production Numbers

Between 1973 and 1975, only about 20 to 30 Monica cars were ever completed — though records vary, and some estimates place the total closer to 40. All were hand-assembled, with slight variations between models, making each Monica effectively unique.

The End of Monica

In 1975, after years of personal investment and mounting losses, Jean Tastevin shut down Monica Automobiles. The factory was sold, and the remaining car inventory was either scrapped or sold off at a steep discount.

The closure marked the end of a bold, albeit brief, chapter in the history of independent French automobile manufacturing. Monica failed commercially, but it left a lasting impression as a symbol of passion-driven engineering.

Legacy and Rarity

Today, surviving Monica cars are extremely rare and highly collectible. Their elegant design, scarcity, and unique backstory make them prized among collectors of obscure or luxury French automobiles. Some Monica cars are housed in museums or private collections, and their value continues to grow due to their rarity and historical interest.

Enthusiasts often compare Monica to other niche manufacturers like Facel Vega or Bristol — companies that tried to combine luxury and performance with exclusivity and bespoke craftsmanship.

Conclusion

Monica may have existed for only a few years, but it captured the imagination of a generation fascinated by the idea of a truly French luxury performance car. The dream of Jean Tastevin — to create a world-class automobile without compromise — lives on in the handful of Monicas still in existence. Despite economic misfortune and limited success, Monica stands as a testament to independent innovation and the enduring appeal of handcrafted excellence in the world of automobiles.