Opperman Unicar T 1956: the cheapest British microcar made of fiberglass (8 photos)

SE Opperman LTD was a tractor manufacturer in England, and their first foray into the automotive market was the "T" Unicar. The microcar was shown at the 1956 London Motor Show.





In the late fifties, the English company Opperman, producing tractors and agricultural machinery, decided to try herself in automotive industry. We decided to start with a small and inexpensive car, which time contributed - England needed simple, affordable cars.



In 1956, the debut Opperman was presented at the London Motor Show. Unicar T, which became the cheapest car of all that was there presented.





Cheap means angry in his case was not a pun. At creating a machine saved on everything. Two-cylinder two-stroke engine volume of 330 cubic centimeters produced a maximum power of 18 hp, which in this case was quite enough. Transmission three-stage with reverse gear, chain drive to the rear axle, there is no differential. Because of this, the rear axle track had to be narrowed, which had a negative effect on handling.



The power unit is located in the center of the body, in fact - under the seat, therefore noise and vibrations were an integral part of any trip, comfort it didn't add up. The body itself is very simple in design, fiberglass, even the hood with the trunk does not open.



There was another problem. Despite modest power and other "motorcycle" parameters, during certification the car got into automobile category, which means that the tax on it was more than on motorcycles, so that the totality of all factors, no benefit Unicar did not give to its owners, so there was no demand for it.



With a run of 200 copies, production eventually ceased.