Unique Motorcars is founded in Phoenix
The Weavers' work with kit cars began in 1976 in Phoenix, Arizona, where the family ran the Antique Car Restoration Center.
Most of that work was full restorations of classic and special-interest cars for collectors and museums. The family was the exclusive restorer for the Grand Old Cars Museum in Scottsdale, the world's largest collection of convertibles under one roof, and restored Mustang convertibles for A & G Classic Cars. They also assembled Intermeccanica Porsche Speedster and Auburn boattail Speedster replicas.
Unique Motorcars was founded by Bill Close, who leased space from the Weavers and started production in their shop. The family helped develop his body molds and frame fixtures, and in 1979 they bought the business. They redesigned the molds to cut down on seams, retooled for better production quality, and improved and lightened the frame.
In 1981 the company moved to Gadsden, Alabama, the Weavers' hometown, about 60 miles north of Birmingham on Interstate 59. The family calls it the most important business decision in the company's history: lower living and overhead costs let them keep quality high and prices competitive.
Recognized from the start.
- Apr 1989
A new 427 body
The body was completely retooled, with more than six weeks spent on the plug for the new 427 mold. Hundreds of photos of original cars guided the shape: even wheel openings, a corrected nose and matching sides. A painter can prep and paint a striped body in about five eight-hour shifts.
- 1990
"The Best Cobra Kit Car"
Named by Kit Car magazine in January 1990, the only Cobra replica to earn that title. The same year, the Association of Handcrafted Automobiles gave Unique its Good Manufacturing Practices Award.
- May 1991
The 289 debuts, Best of Show
World of Fiberglass in Phoenix adapted the 427 body into a replica of the 289 Competition car. At the AHA Knott's Berry Farm Kit Car Show, with more than 30 Cobra replicas on display, Petersen's Kit Car editor Steve Temple picked it as Best of Show.
- Dec 1991
On the cover of Car and Driver
Editor Patrick Bedard visited the factory while researching the Cobra replica industry. The December issue featured the 289, and the 427 made the cover.
- 2006
Room to grow
With demand for the 289 rising, we added almost 4,000 square feet of warehouse space, doubling the assembly area and raising production by 50%, eventually entering the street rod market with our '36 Cabriolet.
- Latest
Full Speed Ahead
Featured in various articles like Hot Rod Magazine and Race Car Network to name a few. Constructed our Allen Grant tribute car that was driven by the man himself! And since, we're actively building, attending shows, and fostering community with our family of Unique Motor owners.
What we hold to.
Hand-laid fiberglass
Our bodies are hand-laid in our own molds, not sprayed with the chopper gun most kit makers use, and they need little prep before paint.
A frame for every car
Each frame is built from the ground up in rectangular tube, with 2 × 4 inch main rails and a 0.120 inch wall, for virtually no chassis flex.
Original-type hardware
We use the correct, original type of hardware even when it costs more, and we tool up to make the parts nobody else does: "Le Mans" quick-fill caps, sliding side curtains, wind wings, sun visors, oil and brake cooler grilles, cast stainless bumper overriders and an original-spec steering column.
Family, not salespeople
When you call or visit, you deal with us. Every visitor gets a personal tour from a member of the family, and our customers are glad to show their cars to anyone thinking about buying one.
A walk through the factory.
- Showroom & officesFinished cars and trophies
- Assembly areaUp to 12 kits at once
- Fiberglass shopHand-laid bodies
- Chassis shopA frame for every car
- Parts room & component shopParts we make ourselves
- Paint & final assemblyKits and turn-keys
See it for yourself.
Call ahead and visit the factory any weekday from 8 am to 4 pm. A member of the Unique family will show you around.