C.F.P.M. MONICA
(Compagnie Francaise de Materiel Ferroviaire)

Country of Manufacture: France     Vin #: 0103
Model Type: 4 Door Luxury Sedan
Body Designer:
Original design by Romanian, Tony Raseanu
Final design by Englishman, David Coward
Engine: Chrysler 340 (5600cc) V8 specially modified by C.F.P.M. New bearings, lighter pistons, "hotter" camshaft, stronger valve springs, special head gaskets, different intake manifold, larger sump.
Horsepower: 310 bhp (DIN) at 5400 rpm
Torque: 332 lb at 3800 rpm
Transmission: Chrysler Torqueflight Automatic
or ZF 5-Speed Gearbox
Suspension:
Front- Independent by long transverse lower wishbones and top wishbone
Rear- De Dion tube located by leading parallel arms and Panhard rod.
Brakes:
Front- 11-inch ventilated discs with Lockheed 4 cylinder calipers
Rear- 11-inch ventilated discs with Girling 3 cylinder calipers
Top Speed: 150 mph

History: With demise of Bugati, Delahaye, Delage and Talbot in 1940’s and early 1950’s, and the hybrid Facel Vega in 1964, France was left without a large luxury car. The Monica was a Franco/Anglo project combining the design and technical of talents of Chris Lawrence (famous in the UK for his racing Morgan's and Deep Sanderson twin-engined racing Mini’s) and the deep pockets and manufacturing capabilities of Jean Tastevin of C.F.P.M., a manufacturer of railroad cars. The car was named after Tastevin’s wife, Monique.

Production: This particular car is prototype number 3 and the only car bodied by Vignale. Prototypes 1, 2 and 4 featured a completely different and less attractive design. A total of 30 cars were built including 22 prototypes. Only 8 production cars were completed before the factory closed due to the 1973 fuel crisis. Production models were the same as this prototype, but built by C.F.P.M at Balbigny, Loire, France.


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