What Killed The Bricklin SV-1 | The Bad Blonde

Today we talk about a car company that wanted to make the safest car on the planet and what killed the Bricklin SV-1… What Killed The Bricklin SV-1? | Bad Blonde #AUTO History First let’s discuss the man, Malcom Bricklin a man with just as many success as failures under his belt, a man with enduring persistence, and a love of business. Malcom’s father operate a chain of successful Handy Man stores, but Malcom would be the one to take it to another level and develop that chain into a nationwide franchise. That success made him a wealthy man in his 20s. Malcom’s first leap into the automotive industry was a bold one. He introduced Subaru to the North American market with the Subaru 360. The clever Malcom Bricklin found a loophole within federal law with the weight of the Subaru 360 being only 900lbs and did not classify as a vehicle…. This was a sharp endeavor and it would have done pretty decent except that Consumer Safety Reports pulled the rug out from under the tiny car. You see the Subaru 360 being less that 1000lbs was exempt from normal safety standards and regulations. Consumer Safety Reports crashed the Subaru 360 against the larger American cars of the late 1960s and naturally it didn’t stand a chance. People didn’t want the little car after that. Undeterred, he then set his sights on crafting a car that would capture the imagination of car enthusiasts and challenge the status quo. Malcolm Bricklin dreamed of creating a revolutionary sports car that combined style, safety, and innovation. He went from trying to sell a tin can, to trying manufacture and sell the safest car in production. You see, it was not just the government but also now the American public paying attention to their vehicles safety. Safety bumpers, three point seat belts were now a part of a common cars design. The Bricklin SV-1, which stood for "Safety Vehicle One," was designed with safety as its primary focus but it also had the looks. The SV-1 looked like the Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Corvettes of it’s time. It featured a robust steel safety cage, integrated bumpers, roll bar and gull-wing doors to add a bit of zing. The doors were designed to open even in the event of an accident, in theory allowing for a quick and safe exit. Though I will say, they were very heavy and relied on a hydraulic pump and if that broke you were in trouble In addition to safety, the SV-1 boasted a sleek and futuristic design. Its aerodynamic shape, low profile, and distinctive gull-wing doors made it stand out on the road. The car was available in a range of vibrant colors, further accentuating its unique appearance. The fiberglass body had an acrylic top layer with the color molded which was more complicated process but it meant less likely to have a scratch or issues with small fender benders BUT this complicated process meant more issues in the factory. Under the hood, the Bricklin SV-1 offered a choice of engines. Initially, a Ford 351 Windsor V8 engine powered the vehicle, delivering respectable performance. However, as the project progressed, a decision was made to switch to an American Motors Corporation (AMC) 360 V8 engine, known for its durability. The production of the Bricklin SV-1 began in 1974 in a purpose-built factory in New Brunswick, Canada – New Brunswick had been struck by a natural disaster and were offering sweet deals for manufacturers to boost the economy. However, challenges soon arose. Delays, cost overruns, and quality control issues plagued the production process. The quality issues in large part to unskilled workers who were part of an Canadian unemployment program. You only had to work 10 weeks and then you’d receive social welfare for a year. So you had a lot of workers that didn’t care to be there working with complex machinery and materials. These difficulties, coupled with the economic recession, Canadian government pull out and lackluster sales, put a strain on Bricklin’s finances. Despite the hurdles, around 2,800 Bricklin SV-1s were produced between 1974 and 1976. Each car carried the hope and aspirations of Malcolm Bricklin and his team. However, the company faced financial difficulties, Canada pulled their resources, and the dream had to come to an end. The last SV-1 rolled off the assembly line in early 1976, and Bricklin filed for bankruptcy later that year. While the Bricklin car venture was short-lived, the SV-1 left a lasting impact on the automotive world. Its focus on safety and unique design elements made it a collector's item among car enthusiasts. The story of the Bricklin car serves as a reminder that even though some ventures may not achieve lasting commercial success, they can still leave a mark on an industry and inspire future innovations. Notes: IAI International Auto Importer attempt, rebadging fiat under Pininfarina and Bertone

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