The Car

Model: UMM Cournil Entrepreneur, Built in 1984
Engine: Originally Peugeot XD2 Diesel, 2.3l with about 70PS, exchanged for Peugeot XD3T Turbo-Diesel, 2,5l with about 90PS
Gearbox: Originally 4-Speed ZF, exchanged for UMM 4-Speed
Axles: Dana 44 front and back, leaf-springs, drum-brakes

UMM is certainly not a well known brand… União Metalo-Mecanica (or short UMM) was a portuguese car manufacturer, which made 4×4 cars from 1977 till 2016, mostly for the portuguese market, but also for export to the former colonies, was well as France and England. The construction is based on a model which was manufactured in small batches in France by Cournil. Cournil took Willis-Jeeps which were left in France after World War II and changed them into tractors to be used by farmers in France. Based on these modified jeeps, Cournil started to construct his own cars using Peugeot Engines, which were fitted into small and practical 4×4 cars for french farmers. UMM took the design from Cournil and extended it inro the models Alter and Alter 2. Based on these, the design returned to France and was evolved into the cars from Auverland, which today is Panhard General Defense.

UMM participated in the Dakar Rallyes from 1982 till 1984 with some success, all cars reached Dakar. In 1984 some were disqualified because they took too long for some stretches of the rallye.

The UMM Cournil is constructed very simply and is easy to maintain. There are still spare parts available and the mechanics is easy to understand. There is no electronics involved. You probaly won’t get too much comfort in this car, but you wouldn’t expect it in a decent 4×4 anyway, ask any Defender driver.

I bought my UMM from a mechanic in the Algarve, however it was not in a good shape. Currently it is in the workshop of friends, who are restauring it. I did some stuff myself, but when it comes to the engine and stuff like the brakes, I leave it to the professionals… The car is relatively original, the body is mostly not modified and the interior is also pretty original. Some holes were drilled, the back bumper was raised to fit an additional tow ball and the side mirrors were modified.

As the original engine was gone beyond repair, I decided to fit the engine of the Cournil’s successor, the UMM Alter. This engine has a little more power and is supposed to consume less fuel. The new motor only would fit the old gear box with modifications, and the old gear box would need a new reduction gear, so the car will also get a new gear box from the Alter.

The body has been competely repainted and fitted with some sound insulation in the doors and the plates next to engine and gear box. Some rusty parts were soldered. Now it looks nearly like new…

Restauration is still ongoing and is expected to finish sometime in summer 2018.