Unipower GT: Navigating the Roads of Innovation in 1960s England

Rare ONES - Embark on a journey through the distinctive world of the Unipower GT, an exceptional sports car that emerged from the heart of England's automotive scene in the mid-1960s. Unveiled at the prestigious London Racing Car Show in January 1966, this one-of-a-kind creation bore the mark of Universal Power Drives Ltd., a truck manufacturer based in Perivale, Middlesex, England.

This compact sports car, displayed at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed, proudly bore the mark of Universal Power Drives Ltd. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage)

The Unipower GT was designed by Ernest Unger and Val Dare-Byrne, featured with a strong but lightweight fiberglass bodyshell. This British compact sportscar continued its journey under the guidance of UWF Automotive in London until the production curtain fell in 1975. Within this timeframe, a mere 75 units, including 15 meticulously crafted by UWF, rolled off the production line, etching a lasting imprint on the canvas of automotive history.

The Unipower GT was designed by Ernest Unger and Val Dare-Byrne, featured with a strong but lightweight fiberglass bodyshell on the framework of BMC Mini's mechanical components. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

Constructed on the framework of BMC Mini's mechanical components, the Unipower GT proudly features a transverse engine and gearbox configuration nestled in a mid-engine layout. Its chassis, a sturdy spaceframe intricately bonded to a fiberglass body, embodies a perfect blend of lightweight agility and robust durability.

The snug cabin provides comfortable seating, showcasing a three-spoke racing steering wheel and a dashboard adorned with diverse gauges, knobs, and buttons. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

In the relentless pursuit of racing perfection, the Unipower GT underscores the critical role of weight in influencing acceleration, braking, and cornering. It serves as a living testament to the perpetual engineering quest for the delicate balance between shedding weight and preserving chassis rigidity in the annals of motor racing history.

The Unipower GT proudly features a transverse engine and gearbox configuration nestled in a mid-engine layout. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

Enhanced with independent wishbone suspension, the Unipower GT harmonizes a lightweight frame, a low center of gravity, and an aerodynamic drag coefficient, courtesy of its mere 40.5 inches (1,029 mm) height above the ground. This meticulously crafted configuration ensures that the Unipower GT delivers stellar performance paired with exceptional handling characteristics.

Enhanced with independent wishbone suspension, the Unipower GT harmonizes a lightweight frame, a low center of gravity, and an aerodynamic drag coefficient. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

Underneath its hood, enthusiasts can choose between a 998 cc Mini-Cooper engine or the robust 1,275 cc Cooper 'S' engine. The latter, a powerhouse, reportedly achieves a swift 0-60 mph in a mere 8 seconds, reaching a top speed of 120 mph (193 km/h). Conversely, the 'standard' version, equipped with a 998 cc engine, accomplishes a 0-60 mph sprint in 11.8 seconds, with a maximum speed of 95 mph or 153 km/h.

While the vision of an expanded Unipower version remained on the drawing board, fate intervened with a change in ownership, leading to AC Cars taking the reins in 1977. Nevertheless, the Unipower GT proudly stands as a symbol of innovation, performance, and a distinctive chapter in the vibrant tapestry of automotive history. ✨Happy Holiday...⛄ *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BELOWTHERADAR | ULTIMATECARPAGE | WIKIPEDIA ]

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