Monica 560 - talking to the man who owns THREE of France's luxury car that never was

[@JohnDoe-ph6if]

Beautiful cars, Monicas! Can't wait for the long video

[@robwesselink6070]

Last year there was the barn find of the decade in The Netherlands. The famous Palmen Collection, auctioned by Gallery Aaldering, Brummen. A Monica prototype was also among the sold cars. The engine was a Martin V8. Don't remember which number it was.

[@petedenton9434]

I have wanted a Monica for about 40 years! Doubt I'll ever own one lol

[@RayPeto]

Hello, Fascinated to hear about these survivors. I will have to think about this to get dates and places correct but I was contacted by ? In the early 70's to do the wiring on one of these. It was in a garage in West London? Unfortunately I was not convinced that I was going to get paid! so did not follow it up. Basically it was going to need a wiring loom and all the cable current capacities working out. The chap said it was a prototype? and it seemed fairly complete. I have no idea why it had got to this stage without anything working so I assume it was a car where all the components, engine, interior etc were there visually for some reason. I do remember it as a stunning car and it seemed to be made out of all the best bits available a bit like the Facel Vega that a friend had. Good luck on completing them and it is nice to know one of them actually works! Raymond Peto

[@BelowtheRadarCars]

Fascinating! It sounds like they flew by the seat of their pants when developing the Monica, so you'd have had a hell of a job sorting out the electrics I suspect, and yes, you'd probably never have been paid at the end of it...

[@ScarletSwordfish]

This is my first time hearing of Monica. The final cars look beautiful! These prototypes are pretty awkward but not less important and interesting.

[@youtube-handle-are-a-joke]

I believe I know the gentleman who owns the 2 of them in France that he is refering to, a blue and a purple one. I restored the body on his blue one, interresting car. Very british in it's construction for a French car.

[@stephenharfield781]

Never heard of them, looks like a stretched Lotus Elan plus 2.

[@philipgardner-uz5ne]

How many made?

[@BelowtheRadarCars]

I wrote a story on the Monica for Hagerty in 2021, which you can see at www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/automotive-history/cars-that-time-forgot-monica-560

[@alvistd2168]

Combo styling of Ferrari,Jag. and Lotus. Shame it never went anywhere.........

[@ianalderton6683]

44 years ago on my German language exchange I met a girl called Monica- yes there's a car called Monica I tolled her- didn't help my chances ; ) now married to a German girl- mother in laws name is Monica- we don't talk about cars . . . .

[@giuliopedrali4794]

Interessant this Monica, but no so original in design, much similar to Maserati, Lotus Elan +2, Iso Rivolta Fidia, very artisans project