From: Claude Landi <CBL302@msn.com>
Date:Sun Dec.17, 2000 4:50pm
Subject: The Never ending Bricklin Saga
For those New people that do not know about the Bricklin History this is a
brief history of the Bricklin:
The Bricklin is a gull-wing sports car that was manufactured primarily
(Body and Frame was 100% Bricklin and Design,which later were copied onto
the Ferrari 308 GTS and the Delorean) from Detroit parts in 1974 through
early 1976 (most of the 1976 models were assembled in Columbus Ohio by
Employees of Consolided International in their warehouses in Columbus
Ohio)in New Brunswick Canada for exclusive sale in the United States.
THERE WERE 2914 cars built before and after Bricklin went bankrupt.[not
2896 as most people think]An estimated 1500+or- still exist today.
Bricklin International (BI) reports 350+ active members with cars on the
road and in restoration.
The single model built was given the designation SV-1, for Safety -
Vehicle Model 1.(his only Model)
It had a built in roll cage,HIGH side guard rails for side inpact protection
and shock absorbing, 5mph bumpers that receded into the car.It also had 3
point seat belts,AND was and STILL is the ONLY mass produced Gullwing car
with TRUE opening Door Windows(no fixed windows as the mercededs gullwing or
"Toll Booth"mini windows as found on the Delorean. It was not only safe in
an accident, but had the power and handling to avoid one. The Bricklin
far exceeded safety requirements of the time.And he had the forethought of
installing NON-POWER WINDOWS,so as to be able to roll them down,if the car
was flipped,or loss of electrical power in a accident or if the doors could
not open.
Like the DeLorean which came after it, the Bricklin was a futuristic
vehicle which was well liked by owners and the automotive
press, but was never produced in large enough numbers to be profitable.
Bricklin owners have a club and Websites such as BRICKLINEWS [at
EGROUPS.COM] that lets you post Questions and get answers(and Pics and
files) to what ever problems you might have with your Bricklin there is
also the Brickline which publishes a quarterly magazine and sponsors
yearly meets on the east and west coasts.
The second distinguishing design feature of the Bricklin (besides the
gull-wing doors) is the acrylic
body. A vacuum forming process bonded color-impregnated acrylic to each
fiberglass body panel.(very time comsuming and very expensive process,there
was a 2 to 1 scrappage rate on the body panels) The Bricklin was delivered
to the customer without paint. Minor scratches would be buffed out. The
Bricklin came only in the standout colors of : Safety Red, Safety Orange,
Safety Green, Safety Suntan, and Safety White.
All the cars were black below the belt-line(The only changes below the
beltline was the front bottom air scoop for better engine cooling,on the
later 1975 Bricklins) and had beige interiors.In keeping with the safety
theme, there was no ashtray or
cigarette lighters because Malcom Bricklin believed that if the Driver
dropped a ash,He(or she)might be distracted and loose control of their
Bricklin.
The Bricklins came in two different drivetrain combo's,in 1974 they came
with a 360 AMC motor with a four barrel carb.and a Torqueflite
three speed tranny,1974 was also the only year with a four speed standard
tranny,appox.175 Bricklins were made with four speeds,in
1975 the Drivetrain was switched to a 351ci.Ford "windsor" motor with a two
barrel carb and a Ford cast iron three speed automatic tranny
(FMX)all Bricklins came only with Tan Interiors and HydroElectric operated
doors except from what I understand the last 1976 cars,the
1976 Bricklins also came with a more quiet single exhaust system witha
calatylic converter,and a much better center console.
Malcom Bricklin did not vanish in the sunset after the Bricklin went
Belly-up,he tried his hands on importing the Fiat x1/9 and the
Alfa Romero and making them into mini Luxury sports cars,that failing
after a few years,his next try at importing cars was the Yogo car,that was
only good for about a few years,then he started a business making Electric
Bikes called the E V Warrior,that seemed like it would be very
sucessfull,then for some unknown reason he pulled out of that project,as
of 12/17/2000,I do not know what he is up to,but you can bet that he will
come up with a new project,much as John Z, Delorean is as of Today.
Claude
Vin#1024and 1136 12/17/2000
|