George Hartwell commissioned his special to be professionally built by Monaco Motors in Watford during the summer of 1947. It was incredibly small both in wheelbase (5 ft) and track, allegedly so that it would fit in the back of a small truck and was one of the first cars to use the Norton engine from new. Largely as a result of these factors, it was extremely quick up the hills but lacked the stability required for success on circuits. Front suspension was Fiat derived comprising a single transverse leaf spring and lower wishbones. The Francis Beart tuned Norton engine was at the rear, to one side, driving back via chain to the gearbox. The Norton gearbox was offset to the other side of the chassis and drive is taken forward again to a countershaft running across the car. Sprockets on each end take drive back again to each independently sprung rear wheel. George attended a number of events in the later part of 1947, finishing second at the Brighton Speed Trials on the 1st September, 3rd in the 750cc class at the Poole Open Speed Trials a week later and 3rd again at Southsea on the 20th. George was also present at the Towcester meeting on the 25th October. George did a full season in 1948 before selling the Monaco to Claude Tipper for 1949.

George takes the esses at Shelsley in June 1948

The Monaco Motor and Engineering Co of Watford was started in 1935 by Ian Furguson-Connell and Peter Monkhouse, partly as a way of supporting their own racing activities.

In 1947, John Wyer (of Aston Martin, Ford GT40 and Porsche fame) joined the firm as Managing Director and would have been involved in the Monaco Commission.

The Monaco reviewed in Iota

Snetterton September 2007