Mike and Vickie Denton of...
Mike and Vickie Denton of Athens, AL, bought and built an awesome Unique Motorcars 289FIA roadster. Let's investigate all the great details that make up Unique's 289 and 427 roadster kits.
Jean, Maurice, and Alan Weaver run Unique Motorcars, a Cobra roadster and 1936 Ford cabriolet replica business located in the Weaver family's hometown of Gadsden, Alabama. Jean is Mom to sons Maurice and Alan. Established in '77, Unique Motorcars has been building 427 SC roadster replicas since '79, and 289FIA competition cars since '91. Wanting to diversify the company's product line, Unique introduced a '36 Ford cabriolet kit in 2006 that's every bit as nice as the Cobra replicas. For those interested in building a fine '30s vintage street rod, we featured the first '36 in the May '07 issue of KC.
Attesting to the quality of workmanship of its cars, Unique Motorcars has won a slew of awards throughout the years. It has been a leading business in the kit and replicar arena, which is no mean feat in an industry that has had its share of less than scrupulous characters.
Unique's fabrication/welding...
Unique's fabrication/welding shop is where the chassis and many small components are created. The 2x4-inch rectangular tubing is cut and put in the pictured frame jig for MIG welding. Thanks to using the jig, each Unique Motorcars frame is an exact replica of the one preceding and the one following it.
Since KIT CAR's inception some 25 years ago, we've featured a veritable ton of Unique Motorcars' roadsters, and we've attended many of the company's homecoming celebrations in Gadsden each May. This year was Editor Smith's first opportunity to make the pilgrimage to Alabama for the Unique family reunion. We'll have a full story on the extended family's festivities (which include Unique's many happy customers) in an upcoming issue of KIT CAR. What we will say about the homecoming event is that one of the big reasons Unique Motorcars is so successful is that they treat their many happy customers like members of the Weaver family.
For now, we'll take a closer look at the resplendent roadster replicas that this fine motorcar company produces. Pull up a chair and see how Unique Motorcars may help you realize your dreams of Cobra roadster ownership.
After the framerails are MIG...
After the framerails are MIG welded in the jig, the frame is sent out to be powdercoated. Once it's back, the suspension components are installed in the assembly room. Every Unique Motorcars' customer gets an all-independent chassis. The wheels and tires are optional, of course.
Black leather seats, black...
Black leather seats, black vinyl door panels, and black wool carpet are all included in the Deluxe Pallet Kit. A complete standard dash assembly comes already installed.
The Jaguar independent rear...
The Jaguar independent rear suspension has inboard brakes and dual coilover shocks. All components are new, with the exception of the differential housing, which has been completely reconditioned and painted black.
With the Deluxe Pallet Kit,...
With the Deluxe Pallet Kit, all the plumbing has been installed: brake lines, pedals, hydraulic clutch lines, fluid cylinders, and the throttle linkage are already there. Add the engine and transmission of your choice with the included pro-design wiring harness and you're almost ready for the road.
Dual electric radiator cooling...
Dual electric radiator cooling fans have already been mounted and wired.
Wilwood racing disc brakes...
Wilwood racing disc brakes and an independent front suspension with coilover shocks are included.
All kits come with a 20-gallon...
All kits come with a 20-gallon aluminum fuel tank.
You may wish to buy and build...
You may wish to buy and build a 427 SC roadster instead, like Tom Morgan's silver beauty. Tom lives in Mt. Juliet, TN.