ERNIE UNGER STORY
Words Martyn Morgan-Jones Photography Gerard Hughes/archive courtesy Ernie UngerThe sixties spawned more than its fair share of Mini-based specials, but
none so special as the sublime Unipower GT.
POWER TRIP
T
he Mini undoubtedly
redefined motoring,
establishing new standards of
packaging, handling and
performance. Yet,
paradoxically, despite the superb
dynamics and brilliant use of space,
some individuals wanted to put their
own ‘spin’ on Issigonis’ baby and tap into
an entirely different market. As a result,
there were a number of Mini-based
specialist cars launched during the
1960s, including the Ogle SX1000,
Broadspeed GT and Mini Marcos. These
were good cars, with much to commend
them. But to all intents and purposes,
they were rebodied Minis. And they still
relied on the donor car’s front-engined,
front wheel-drive format.Others, such as the Deep Sanderson,
Cox GTM and Unipower GT, also
employed the Mini powertrain and a
number of Mini-derived components.
However, this trio were boundary-
pushing, mid-engined designs. None
more so than the Unipower... and the
man behind this microsized marvel was
car-obsessive Ernie Unger.
“I was fanatical about cars from an
early age,” admits Ernie smiling. “At the
age of four, for the amusement of my
parents, I used to stand on a street corner
and correctly identify every make and
model that passed! When old enough, I
spent my school holidays working at a
local garage. I de-coked cylinder heads,
helped with the servicing, did anything
asked of me really.”It was a passion which would lead to a
highly-successful career in the
automotive industry. Never short on self-
belief or confidence, in 1954 Ernie wrote
to Lotus asking to become a mechanic
and surprised everyone, including
himself, by getting called for an
interview. “I was interviewed by Colin
Chapman and Mike Costin,” he recalls.
“The actual interview only lasted 20
minutes, but the next hour was spent
arguing about wages until a compromise
was agreed!”
Although fiscally-satisfied, Ernie
quickly discovered that Chapman
demanded his ‘pound of f lesh’. During
the day mechanics worked on customer
cars and components; at nights and
weekends they’d be looking afterThe Unipower GT was
revered for both its stunning
looks and superb handling.ERNIE UNGER STORY
Words Martyn Morgan-Jones Photography Gerard Hughes/archive courtesyErnieUngerThe sixties spawned more than its fair share of Mini-based specials, but
none so special as the sublime Unipower GT.
POWER TRIP
T
he Mini undoubtedly
redefined motoring,
establishing new standards of
packaging, handling and
performance. Yet,
paradoxically, despite the superb
dynamics and brilliant use of space,
some individuals wanted to put their
own ‘spin’ on Issigonis’ baby and tap into
an entirely different market. As a result,
there were a number of Mini-based
specialist cars launched during the
1960s, including the Ogle SX1000,
Broadspeed GT and Mini Marcos. These
were good cars, with much to commend
them. But to all intents and purposes,
they were rebodied Minis. And they still
relied on the donor car’s front-engined,
front wheel-drive format.
Others, such as the Deep Sanderson,
Cox GTM and Unipower GT, also
employed the Mini powertrain and a
number of Mini-derived components.
However, this trio were boundary-
pushing, mid-engined designs. None
more so than the Unipower... and the
man behind this microsized marvel was
car-obsessive Ernie Unger.
“I was fanatical about cars from an
early age,” admits Ernie smiling. “At the
age of four, for the amusement of my
parents, I used to stand on a street corner
and correctly identify every make and
model that passed! When old enough, I
spent my school holidays working at a
local garage. I de-coked cylinder heads,
helped with the servicing, did anything
asked of me really.”It was a passion which would lead to a
highly-successful career in the
automotive industry. Never short on self-
belief or confidence, in 1954 Ernie wrote
to Lotus asking to become a mechanic
and surprised everyone, including
himself, by getting called for an
interview. “I was interviewed by Colin
Chapman and Mike Costin,” he recalls.
“The actual interview only lasted 20
minutes, but the next hour was spent
arguing about wages until a compromise
was agreed!”
Although fiscally-satisfied, Ernie
quickly discovered that Chapman
demanded his ‘pound of f lesh’. During
the day mechanics worked on customer
cars and components; at nights and
weekends they’d be looking afterThe Unipower GT was
revered for both its stunning
looks and superb handling.