1909 UNIC Taxicab

edited by David Barth, 30 January 2009.
Courtesy The Forney Museum of Transportation at 4303 Brighton Blvd., Denver, Colorado.
Photos were taken in February 2009.

George Richard founded UNIC in 1906 after leaving the Richard-Brasier Car Company. Societe anonyme des automobiles, UNIC, was located in Puteaux, France and procuded both two and four cylinder models. The 1943 cm3 12 CV four-cylinder model was extremely successful, in production for 20 years. The UNIC automobiles were primarily used as taxicabs.

All French taxicabs available during World War I participated in the "Battle of the Marne." Marne is in northeastern France, named after the Marne River and site of one of World War I's most horrific battles.

This taxicab was commandeered by the military to haul soldiers to the Battle of the Marne from Paris. On return trip, the taxicab was loaded with the wounded to be taken to Paris hospitals.

This taxi is in original condition. It has never been restored. The car has a 4-cylinder, L-head engine. It has been reported that it was driven over 500,000 miles.