Venue, year, and drivers if possible...
The Hertz truck and the "Canada" letters on the fender points at a North American venue.
Unipower GT - picture
Started by
Rainer Nyberg
, Jul 27 2001 17:54
34 replies to this topic
#1
Rainer Nyberg
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Posted 27 July 2001 - 17:54
Can anyone identify this image of a Unipower GT?
Venue, year, and drivers if possible...
The Hertz truck and the "Canada" letters on the fender points at a North American venue.
Venue, year, and drivers if possible...
The Hertz truck and the "Canada" letters on the fender points at a North American venue.
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#2
bobbo
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Posted 27 July 2001 - 17:59
Not sure, but the venue strongly reminds me of a soggy Watkins Glen, @ 1970. But that's only a guess.
This is the kind of stuff I really enjoy on TNF!!!!!
Bobbo
This is the kind of stuff I really enjoy on TNF!!!!!
Bobbo
#3
Rainer Nyberg
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Posted 27 July 2001 - 18:03
Amazing.....first reply took five minutes....
Bobbo, I must say that the Glen could be a strong possiblity..!
Let´s see how the thread develops....!
Bobbo, I must say that the Glen could be a strong possiblity..!
Let´s see how the thread develops....!
#4
Don Capps
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Posted 27 July 2001 - 18:21
Like Bob, my first reaction was, "Watkins Glen!" It really looks very much like WG. I also tried to visualize the Mosport paddock area, but kept coming back to WG.
"CS" is probably for the "C Sedan" class, so probably early 70s. The Hertz truck is about right for the era. The clothes aren't much help.
However, I keep looking at the patch on the jacket and the logo behind the fender. It doesn't ring a bell.
Anything else besides just the picture that you can add?
"CS" is probably for the "C Sedan" class, so probably early 70s. The Hertz truck is about right for the era. The clothes aren't much help.
However, I keep looking at the patch on the jacket and the logo behind the fender. It doesn't ring a bell.
Anything else besides just the picture that you can add?
#5
bobbo
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Posted 27 July 2001 - 18:25
Uh . . .
Without anything to refer it to, the car reminds me quite a bit of the old Saab GT ot @ 1967 to 1972 or so. It could fit the C Sedan classification, especially if it is the V4 version . . .
Am I reading too much into this??
Bobbo
Without anything to refer it to, the car reminds me quite a bit of the old Saab GT ot @ 1967 to 1972 or so. It could fit the C Sedan classification, especially if it is the V4 version . . .
Am I reading too much into this??
Bobbo
#6
mat1
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Posted 27 July 2001 - 20:01
Originally posted by bobbo
Without anything to refer it to, the car reminds me quite a bit of the old Saab GT ot @ 1967 to 1972 or so. It could fit the C Sedan classification, especially if it is the V4 version . . .
Judging from the air intakes, I'd say the car has the engine at the rear. The Saab I think you mean had the engine at the front, isn't it? (And FWD).
Also, I have the memory the Saab had large wheels (as saabs usually had in those times), and the wheelarches seem a little bit small.
mat
#7
Rainer Nyberg
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Posted 27 July 2001 - 20:39
Yes it is definetely a mid-engined RWD Unipower GT.
It had Mini Cooper engine behind the cockpit.
It is not unlike the Saab mentioned but yes the Saab Sonett had a front-engine and FWD. And yes it had 15" diameter wheels so typical of Saabs. Unlike the Unipower who had those tiny 10" Mini wheels.
The image shows a '66 Saab Sonett with the 3-cylinder two-cycle engine. Btw Erik Carlsson is the large gentleman on the picture.
It had Mini Cooper engine behind the cockpit.
It is not unlike the Saab mentioned but yes the Saab Sonett had a front-engine and FWD. And yes it had 15" diameter wheels so typical of Saabs. Unlike the Unipower who had those tiny 10" Mini wheels.
The image shows a '66 Saab Sonett with the 3-cylinder two-cycle engine. Btw Erik Carlsson is the large gentleman on the picture.
#8
ry6
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Posted 28 July 2001 - 17:57
The Unipower was one of the better little GT sportscars which used Mini Cooper "S" power.
Some of these little cars put up very impressive performances for what they were, basically a cheap competitive racecar.
The wheels of the race car look like ten inch diameter wheels which suggest the car is using Mini corners - probably discs up front and the drums at rear.
The only Unipower racers I knew of raced in British clubbie type events but the world is a big place and the Canada logo and background indicate travels further afield.
Some of these little cars put up very impressive performances for what they were, basically a cheap competitive racecar.
The wheels of the race car look like ten inch diameter wheels which suggest the car is using Mini corners - probably discs up front and the drums at rear.
The only Unipower racers I knew of raced in British clubbie type events but the world is a big place and the Canada logo and background indicate travels further afield.
#9
Felix Muelas
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Posted 28 July 2001 - 22:33
Dear Rainer,
I am sure that could happen, of all the places in the world, at TNF, but let´s go step by step (you know that this is way out of my territory)
Rob tells us about the Unipower as "one of the better little GT sportscars which used Mini Cooper "S" power".
As this is new to me, I have been trying to find what exactly does that mean, and to be honest I haven´t yet found the answer. David Filsell writes a few lines on the Unipower in Georgano´s Encyclopaedia of Motor Sports :
"The Unipower GT was built in Perivale, Middlesex, by Universal Power Drives Ltd, from 1966 to 1970 and featured a fiberglass body cloaking a tubular space-frame accepting Mini components. Under the guidance of Andrew Hedges, a long-distance race exponent, several special competition cars were prepared and ran with some successs, the most ambitious being Stanley Robinson´s FVA Cosworth-powered version"
A second reference is to be found on page 122 of "Specialist British Sports/Racing cars of the Fifities and Sixties" by A. Pritchard. Whilst dealing with the Landar -a very curious Sports Racing Car built around the Mini Cooper engine/gearbox/transmission unit- one can read :
"Another interesting project of similar concept to the Landar was the Aurora-BMC powered by a 1150cc BMC engine, only 2 ft. 5in. high and said to be capable of 135mph. It was built for Trevor Taylor and Anita Taylor to race. Yet another car, with 998cc Mini-Cooper engine and transmission mounted at the rear of a multi tubular chassis, was the Unipower GT , introduced at the 1966 Racing Car Show, primarily intended for road use. Unipower survived until 1970, by when something over 60 cars had been built".
So I guess as follows :
-There might have been more cars like this Unipower GT, Aurora BMC and Landar, to use the Mini Cooper engine/gearbox/transmission unit. Anybody out there with an answer?
-Not all the 60 Unipowers built were raced BUT
-At least the one in the picture was.
Could the Unipower pictured above be the "famous" Stanley Robinson´s FVA Cosworth-powered version?
It might be a stupid guess, of course...
Un abrazo
Felix
Venue, year and drivers...
I am sure that could happen, of all the places in the world, at TNF, but let´s go step by step (you know that this is way out of my territory)
Rob tells us about the Unipower as "one of the better little GT sportscars which used Mini Cooper "S" power".
As this is new to me, I have been trying to find what exactly does that mean, and to be honest I haven´t yet found the answer. David Filsell writes a few lines on the Unipower in Georgano´s Encyclopaedia of Motor Sports :
"The Unipower GT was built in Perivale, Middlesex, by Universal Power Drives Ltd, from 1966 to 1970 and featured a fiberglass body cloaking a tubular space-frame accepting Mini components. Under the guidance of Andrew Hedges, a long-distance race exponent, several special competition cars were prepared and ran with some successs, the most ambitious being Stanley Robinson´s FVA Cosworth-powered version"
A second reference is to be found on page 122 of "Specialist British Sports/Racing cars of the Fifities and Sixties" by A. Pritchard. Whilst dealing with the Landar -a very curious Sports Racing Car built around the Mini Cooper engine/gearbox/transmission unit- one can read :
"Another interesting project of similar concept to the Landar was the Aurora-BMC powered by a 1150cc BMC engine, only 2 ft. 5in. high and said to be capable of 135mph. It was built for Trevor Taylor and Anita Taylor to race. Yet another car, with 998cc Mini-Cooper engine and transmission mounted at the rear of a multi tubular chassis, was the Unipower GT , introduced at the 1966 Racing Car Show, primarily intended for road use. Unipower survived until 1970, by when something over 60 cars had been built".
So I guess as follows :
-There might have been more cars like this Unipower GT, Aurora BMC and Landar, to use the Mini Cooper engine/gearbox/transmission unit. Anybody out there with an answer?
-Not all the 60 Unipowers built were raced BUT
-At least the one in the picture was.
Could the Unipower pictured above be the "famous" Stanley Robinson´s FVA Cosworth-powered version?
It might be a stupid guess, of course...
Un abrazo
Felix
#10
Rainer Nyberg
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Posted 28 July 2001 - 22:59
Useful info about the little car con be found here :
(it is the source of the unindentified photo I questioned about as well)
http://users.skynet....96623/unipower/
The history button provides some background and it says about five cars were built for competition.
A long-distance racer called Andrew Hedges was instrumental for making a race-car of the Unipower.
I noticed that there was another picture of the "Canada" car on this site. A smaller one in colour.
(it is the source of the unindentified photo I questioned about as well)
http://users.skynet....96623/unipower/
The history button provides some background and it says about five cars were built for competition.
A long-distance racer called Andrew Hedges was instrumental for making a race-car of the Unipower.
I noticed that there was another picture of the "Canada" car on this site. A smaller one in colour.
#11
Felix Muelas
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Posted 28 July 2001 - 23:09
Rainer,
Over the years, I have learned to -normally- love you (you know that) but some times...
Not that I think any knowledge and time spent on acquiring it is wasted, but I would have loved to go to bed earlier tonight !
So next time you hide information (all the bits that I posted were really accesible via a single click on that link) please send a couple of beers free of delivery charges to your friends (that includes me, of course).
Good night now
Felix
Over the years, I have learned to -normally- love you (you know that) but some times...
Not that I think any knowledge and time spent on acquiring it is wasted, but I would have loved to go to bed earlier tonight !
So next time you hide information (all the bits that I posted were really accesible via a single click on that link) please send a couple of beers free of delivery charges to your friends (that includes me, of course).
Good night now
Felix
#12
Rainer Nyberg
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Posted 28 July 2001 - 23:16
I am sorry, but the information I was looking for was absent on that site....and still is...
However I am sure we all know that the net can be a resourceful tool on occasion....
But sometimes it creates more questions that answers...!
Anyway I still owe you a case of beer over a bet a few years ago...so don´t rub it in!
Sorry about your sleep...
However I am sure we all know that the net can be a resourceful tool on occasion....
But sometimes it creates more questions that answers...!
Anyway I still owe you a case of beer over a bet a few years ago...so don´t rub it in!
Sorry about your sleep...
#13
Darren Galpin
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Posted 23 August 2002 - 07:36
I'm resurrecting this thread due to the following query which I received last night:
I'M VERY INTERESTED IN Le Mans car UNIPOWER CAR #47 WHEEL SIZE.
12 ' OR 13' ? I'M NOT SURE.
IF YOU KNOW ABOUT IT. PLESE LET ME KNOW.
P.S) I 'M RESTORING MY UNIPOWER GT, NOW.
Can anyone help at all?
I'M VERY INTERESTED IN Le Mans car UNIPOWER CAR #47 WHEEL SIZE.
12 ' OR 13' ? I'M NOT SURE.
IF YOU KNOW ABOUT IT. PLESE LET ME KNOW.
P.S) I 'M RESTORING MY UNIPOWER GT, NOW.
Can anyone help at all?
#14
bs
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Posted 23 August 2002 - 16:22
Hadn't noticed this thread the first time around, and had a few moments today so....
Here's a distinct possiblity:
Watkins Glen 6 hr, july 12, 1969
Pos: DNF
#: 75
Drivers: Pete Harrison/Bob Barrell
Car: Unipower GT BMC
Entrant: Canada
laps: 0
Qual pos: 27
Qual time: 1m33.92
Class: Prototype 2000
Apparently there were 29 entrants total, so number 75 qualified ahead of the Sprite of Ray Cuomo and Greg Cameron
and the 911s of Ralph Meaney and Jack Caruso.
No reason is given for the retirement.
BTW, the race was a 908 1-2-3, with the order being Siffert/Redmond, Elford/Attwood/Dean and Buzzetta/Lins.
Would like to take credit for having a steel trap in my dome, but it was really a simple google search.
Here's a distinct possiblity:
Watkins Glen 6 hr, july 12, 1969
Pos: DNF
#: 75
Drivers: Pete Harrison/Bob Barrell
Car: Unipower GT BMC
Entrant: Canada
laps: 0
Qual pos: 27
Qual time: 1m33.92
Class: Prototype 2000
Apparently there were 29 entrants total, so number 75 qualified ahead of the Sprite of Ray Cuomo and Greg Cameron
and the 911s of Ralph Meaney and Jack Caruso.
No reason is given for the retirement.
BTW, the race was a 908 1-2-3, with the order being Siffert/Redmond, Elford/Attwood/Dean and Buzzetta/Lins.
Would like to take credit for having a steel trap in my dome, but it was really a simple google search.
#15
Gerr
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Posted 23 August 2002 - 18:18
If you look closely at the front fender I think it says "Ecurie Canada" not just "Canada". IIRC, Ecurie Canada was an racing accessory importer/dealer in the Toronto area. In the '70s, they were heavily involved in the Canadian Formula Atlantic Series as the engine supplier and as the MARCH importer. Kris Harrison was the owner (related to Pete Harrison?) and had Gilles V. and Keke Rosberg as his Atlantic drivers, among others.
#16
mickj
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Posted 02 September 2002 - 03:24
Has anyone a picture of the Italian version of the Unipower called the Mini-Mach that appeared at Monza around 1968 or 1969.
Thanks
Thanks
#18
ian senior
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Posted 23 March 2005 - 14:46
Apologies (if anyone thinks they are needed) for reviving this.
It's the FVA powered Unipower that I'm interested in. This later transmogrified into an open topped car called the SAR (presumably after the intials of its creator, Stanley Robinson) which I saw racing at Croft in 1971. It was very ugly, although I recall reading some time later that it acquired a pretty body and did quite well in club racing.
Anyone know anything else about this car, or -even better - are there any pictures?
It's the FVA powered Unipower that I'm interested in. This later transmogrified into an open topped car called the SAR (presumably after the intials of its creator, Stanley Robinson) which I saw racing at Croft in 1971. It was very ugly, although I recall reading some time later that it acquired a pretty body and did quite well in club racing.
Anyone know anything else about this car, or -even better - are there any pictures?
#19
jal43
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Posted 23 March 2005 - 16:18
Dear Friend
This car was raced too in Spain on '70s drived by Rafael Barrios.
Very soon will be have some pictures
Sincerely
JAL
This car was raced too in Spain on '70s drived by Rafael Barrios.
Very soon will be have some pictures
Sincerely
JAL
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#20
David Beard
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Posted 23 March 2005 - 19:32
One of the creators of the Unipower was ex Lotus man Ernest Unger.
I'm hoping he will look in.....
I'm hoping he will look in.....
#21
bill moffat
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Posted 24 March 2005 - 01:11
..whilst another F1 connection are those rather natty J.A.Pearce Magna alloys. Most of the Unipowers photos I've seen show Minilites fitted, although those posh Radford Minis had JAPs.
Incidentally the car's windscreen is apparently lifted from the Mini parts bin, altho' I'm not entirely sure that it is not the donor car's rear screen...
Incidentally the car's windscreen is apparently lifted from the Mini parts bin, altho' I'm not entirely sure that it is not the donor car's rear screen...
#22
Cirrus
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Posted 24 March 2005 - 10:46
One of the creators of the Unipower was ex Lotus man Ernest Unger.
Is Ernie Unger still around? I used to work at Gordon Spice when he was there in the mid-seventies, and he was certainly involved throughout the life of Unipower. I've always rather liked them (but then I like Davrians as well!).
There was an article about the Unipower GT in one of the British classic car mags about ten years ago.
#23
ian senior
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Posted 24 March 2005 - 11:06
Originally posted by bill moffat
..whilst another F1 connection are those rather natty J.A.Pearce Magna alloys. Most of the Unipowers photos I've seen show Minilites fitted, although those posh Radford Minis had JAPs.
Incidentally the car's windscreen is apparently lifted from the Mini parts bin, altho' I'm not entirely sure that it is not the donor car's rear screen...
Nitpicking, anorak-like and almost irrelevant point - for some (possibly imaginary) reason I thought the Unipower used a Triumph Spitfire windscreen and associated surround? The picture above does seem to show that it has a tad more curvature than I would expect from a Mini.
#24
ggnagy
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Posted 24 March 2005 - 13:11
Very late to the thread, but the "CS class designation is throwing me for a loop. I was allways under the impression that SCCA specification for the under 2000cc Sedan classes was that the cars had to be recognised as Category I or II cars in FIA Appendix J. I am highly doubting that the Unipower qualified for Cat I or II. Is it possible that the classification is for a Motorsports Council (upper midwest US) race or a Canadian series?
#25
Carlos Guerra
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Posted 24 March 2005 - 15:50
Hi Joan Albert,Originally posted by jal43
Dear Friend
This car was raced too in Spain on '70s drived by Rafael Barrios.
Very soon will be have some pictures
Sincerely
JAL
Let me welcome you in TNF.
One Unipower was raced in Portugal in 1968.
And the same car is now back in historic racing.
It had, and still uses, a 1.275cc engine.
Regards
Carlos Guerra
Cascais
Portugal
#26
David Beard
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Posted 24 March 2005 - 18:02
Originally posted by Cirrus
Is Ernie Unger still around? I used to work at Gordon Spice when he was there in the mid-seventies, and he was certainly involved throughout the life of Unipower.
Very much still around...and he remembers you well, Alan. I won't repeat the nickname he said you used to have....;)
Ernie said...
Yes , you're right , the Unipower was my project . I started it all , co-opted Val Dare-Bryan to work up my concepts into working drawings , then , at the pre-production prototype stage persuaded an old friend of mine (Tim Powell) to finance production thru his Universal Power Drives company .
.... I've just spent some time with freelance journalist Martyn Jones working up the proper story , which is due to be published shortly in Which Kit magazine .
#27
Cirrus
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Posted 24 March 2005 - 19:05
Good to hear that EU is still around. Those days at Gordon Spice bring back some great memories - and loads of laughs.
I referred to Davrians earlier, and Martyn Morgan Jones wrote a really good book about the subject a couple of years ago. The Unipower story should be in safe hands.
I referred to Davrians earlier, and Martyn Morgan Jones wrote a really good book about the subject a couple of years ago. The Unipower story should be in safe hands.
#28
2F-001
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Posted 24 March 2005 - 21:25
I came reasonably close to buying a Davrian, once upon a time; a later Mk8 or 'Dragon' with the CVH-based or injected RS1600 motor.
(Maybe I've got a thing about a plastic chassis...)
(Maybe I've got a thing about a plastic chassis...)
#29
llmaurice
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Posted 26 March 2005 - 09:09
Ernies mention of Tim Powell b rings back memories from Taylor and Crawley days at Hyde Park Corner in the 60s.
Tim had a very nice 3.8 racing Jag parked in the back of the sales unit he occupied with Ian Metcalfe and later Dereck Bradshaw .
Very nice charactor Tim .
Tim had a very nice 3.8 racing Jag parked in the back of the sales unit he occupied with Ian Metcalfe and later Dereck Bradshaw .
Very nice charactor Tim .
#30
FLB
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 01:03
Aaaaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhh! To have a scanner! 
There was a Unipower running at Trois-Rivières last year. Its owner is from Quebec (the province), so at least we know there was a Unipower in running condition as of August 2004...
There was a Unipower running at Trois-Rivières last year. Its owner is from Quebec (the province), so at least we know there was a Unipower in running condition as of August 2004...
#31
Tiomoitinhas
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Posted 09 April 2005 - 00:53
Hello!
For those of you interested in the portuguese Unipower, please follow the links:
http://lemans.com.sa...ra_unipower.htm
It is in portuguese, but i guess that any virtual translator could help you undersytanding the main ideas..
Kind regards
For those of you interested in the portuguese Unipower, please follow the links:
http://lemans.com.sa...ra_unipower.htm
It is in portuguese, but i guess that any virtual translator could help you undersytanding the main ideas..
Kind regards
#32
jal43
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Posted 11 April 2005 - 14:02
Hi
This picture was taked in Jarama 7-8 Setember 1968 (Spain) drived by Rafael Barrios and finished 6th classified
This picture was taked in Jarama 7-8 Setember 1968 (Spain) drived by Rafael Barrios and finished 6th classified
#33
Pils1989
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Posted 11 April 2005 - 14:22
I know someone who has one in Belgium too but I've never seen it in the flesh
#34
Gav Astill
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Posted 11 April 2005 - 20:07
A few years ago I saw one (or at least a shell of one) languishing in a garden in Cheshire, England. The owner was (and still is as far as I know) a chap called Terry Harrison, who raced a Lotus 11 amongst other things in the 70's, and remains a long standing Race Official at Oulton Park.
#35
mike faloon
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Posted 02 March 2008 - 11:55
The Unipower which used to be well enmeshed in that Cheshire hedge is now in my mate's workshop in course of a major re-build. The Cheshire 'weather' had not been kind to steelwork bonded into the fibre glass!
The intention is to restore to original spec retaining the 10" wheels.
The intention is to restore to original spec retaining the 10" wheels.
