Easley, SC, resident Rick...
Easley, SC, resident Rick Findley enjoys his Unique 427SC Cobra every chance he gets, as does his wife. She convinced Rick to equip the roadster with a C6 automatic so she could drive it too.
Realizing you'd be coming in after dark, your kinfolk would have the porch lights ablaze. The welcome beacon would revive memories of past extended family reunions. No matter how long you've been away, you're always welcome home. That's how it is with most families, and it's how Unique Motorcars, the oldest Cobra replica manufacturer on the planet, conducts business. Jean Weaver and her two sons, Maurice and Alan, founded Unique Motorcars in 1977. For the last 14 years Unique has opened its doors in Gadsden, Alabama, to the extended Weaver family and to its numerous Unique 427SC, 289FIA, and growing '36 Ford cabriolet customer base.
Out-of-town Unique owners stayed at the host hotel, the Hampton Inn, which is minutes away from the company's spacious shop in downtown Gadsden. Some arrived driving their cars, while others trailered their prized replicas from their homes some several hundred miles away. The celebration began as a tailgating affair in the Hampton's parking lot on Thursday night. Surrounded by their Cobras, trucks, and enclosed trailers, the Unique owners became reacquainted with friends from last year's Homecoming and met new ones who've just purchased a car or are interested in doing so.
Unique began building 289FIA...
Unique began building 289FIA roadsters in 1991 to complement the 427SC. Here's one in a silver blue that looks ready to win at Sebring.
On Friday, Unique Motorcars hosted an open house at the Unique facility. The Weavers' extended family and numerous Unique customers planned, baked treats, straightened up the expansive Unique Motorcars shop and showroom, and served beverages to all the many celebrants. This was a time to visit with Jean, Maurice, and Alan Weaver, and to see what's new at Unique Motorcars. From the mold and fiberglass area, to the chassis shop, to the assembly and interior installation section, the entire facility could be inspected by Unique's loyal customer base, as well as those interested in purchasing a Unique Motorcars Cobra or '36 Ford cabriolet replica. Though this was our first opportunity to meet the Weavers in person, we felt like we knew them. Along with building fantastic replica automobiles with an excellent fit and finish comprised of the best components, authentic Southern hospitality is one of the key ingredients in Unique Motorcars' success. Yes, like every successful business, they're in it to make money, but they're building these beautiful cars because they love what they're doing. What's more, the Weavers treat you as if you're a member of their family.
With the top up for protection...
With the top up for protection from a possible rainstorm, this maroon Unique 427SC would be a classy vehicle to drive to a Broadway show.
Before Friday evening's festivities, KIT CAR enjoyed photographing several Unique cars in the historic town of Gadsden. We found several vintage brick buildings that provided rustic backdrops for the racy roadsters. Not long after, we rushed to the Kiwanis Club meeting house up in the mountains for a barbecue dinner and awards presentation shortly thereafter. Unique gave out several awards, including People's Choice Best 289FIA (Mike Fields), People's Choice Best 427SC (Rick Bagley), and People's Choice Overall (Tom Melia's 427SC). Lucky Mr. Melia has won this honor the last two years running.
Saturday morning, we all awoke to some sweltering Southern humidity, but we weren't worried. We realized we'd be cruising the day away in Unique Cobras out to Talladega Superspeedway for a tour of their famous International Motorsports Hall of Fame & Museum and a close inspection of this world-class racetrack that hosts NASCAR events and other racing series during the year. Once we'd taken in the various racing machines and notable artifacts from the sport's esteemed past, we went on a bus tour of the racetrack. If you've never been on the Talladega 33-degree banked oval going upwards of 90 mph in a tour bus with a driver who seems more intent on telling jokes than watching the track ahead, you haven't lived. In all seriousness, though, some in the bus were concerned for their safety, but we could tell the driver could handle this racetrack with his eyes closed. He was a consummate professional. A couple of Unique Cobra owners stayed at Talladega to drive a NASCAR stock car on the high-banked Superspeedway as part of the Talladega Racing Experience. The rest of us cruised over to a home-style restaurant named Fibber's for an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch with endless cups of sweet tea to wash down all that delicious food.
After the 100-plus-mile cruise in the Alabama sun and the ginormous lunch, most of us made it back to the Hampton Inn for a quick freshen-up and a rejuvenating siesta before the evening's meal at a restaurant called Villa Fiesta. We enjoyed each other's company and reminisced about the fun times we had over the past two days while wetting our palettes with sweet teas and/or margaritas and munching on Mexican fare. There was a bit more celebration for those so inclined back at the Hampton Inn parking lot. One last tailgating/benchracing/personally embarrassing story-sharing session occurred on Saturday night. As if to prove how much like family this group is, most of the tailgaters told some pretty awkward stories from their past. We all had a good laugh and wished each other safe passage until we meet in Gadsden for Unique's 15th annual Homecoming.
For more information about Unique Motorcars and to find out about next year's Homecoming, visit www.uniquemotorcars.com or www.kitcarmag.com. Better still, simply follow the welcoming beacon of light emanating from a well-regarded Cobra and Ford cabriolet replica shop called Unique Motorcars.
 There was an abundance of...  There was an abundance of Unique Motorcars Cobras lined up in front of the company's Gadsden, AL, facility and a bunch more four-wheeled snakes everywhere you looked. This red one has its hood pointing to the Unique Motorcars sign. |  |  Merritt Island, FL, dweller...  Merritt Island, FL, dweller Earle Timothy owns another sweet 289FIA Unique roadster, replete with blue Le Mans stripes and a red rookie band across the driver's front fender. |
 Yet another Unique 289FIA...  Yet another Unique 289FIA car had its optional tonneau cover installed. Nice. Sporty. |  Though these jet black Cobras...  Though these jet black Cobras on the Unique assembly line appear to be freshly painted, they're only in gelcoat. Wouldn't you like to have your order in on one of these babies? Revisit the September '07 issue of KC for more information on Unique Motorcars ("What Makes Unique Motorcars So Exceptional," page 30). |  |
 Professional automotive painter...  Professional automotive painter and bodyman Bruce Bunn owns the first Unique Motorcars '36 Ford cabriolet. We featured Bruce's black-over-silver convertible in the May '07 issue of KC. |  When we told you the extended...  When we told you the extended Weaver family always shows up to produce and host this annual Homecoming, we weren't kidding. Here they are. Don't you feel welcome? We sure did. |  On Saturday, we made our way...  On Saturday, we made our way to Talladega Superspeedway. |
 Tom Melia, recipient of the...  Tom Melia, recipient of the People's Choice Overall award, owns this spoke-wheeled, flame-clad 427SC. He lives in Cromwell, CT, and has cruised to Gadsden for every Unique Homecoming in a Unique roadster. | | |