Happy New Year to all automotive enthusiasts! Let’s kick off the year by diving into the story of a unique and fascinating vehicle: the Bricklin Car. Conceived and brought to life by the ambitious Malcolm Bricklin, this automobile aimed to revolutionize the market by focusing on safety and distinctive design.
An original Bricklin car advertisement highlighting its innovative design and safety features.
For many, the first encounter with a Bricklin car was a memorable moment. Its striking design, most notably the iconic gullwing doors, immediately captured attention. Malcolm Bricklin, through his vision and determination, introduced fresh perspectives to automotive design, earning appreciation from enthusiasts and the industry alike.
Malcolm Bricklin, the entrepreneur and visionary behind the Bricklin car project.
The Bricklin project began in 1971, with Bricklin collaborating with Herb Grasse Design and Advanced Vehicle Concepts (AVC) of Michigan by 1972. AVC played a crucial role in building seven of the initial eight prototypes. Herb Grasse (1945-2010), a graduate of the prestigious Art Center College of Design, was instrumental in the Bricklin’s development. His impressive background included automotive illustrations for major brands like Chrysler, Ford, and Nissan. Grasse also famously contributed to transforming the Ford Lincoln Futura concept car into the Batmobile for the iconic “Batman” TV series. Many automotive historians credit Grasse as the primary designer behind the Bricklin SV-1, which garnered significant acclaim and numerous awards for its innovative design.
A 1970s Bricklin car illustration by Herb Grasse, showcasing the sleek lines and futuristic aesthetic of the vehicle.
Further bolstering the Bricklin project’s engineering expertise, Tom Monroe was appointed as Chief Engineer. Allan Cross, leaving his position at Ford Motor Company’s engineering department, also joined the venture, adding significant industry experience to the team.
The Bricklin sports car made its grand debut in the 1970s at New York’s distinguished Four Seasons restaurant. Another high-profile unveiling followed at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, aimed at introducing the new Bricklin model to West Coast dealerships, investors, and Bricklin’s Scottsdale team. These events underscored the ambition and high expectations surrounding the Bricklin car.
The Bricklin car factory assembly line, depicting the manufacturing process in Saint Johns, New Brunswick.
Production of the Bricklin SV-1 models took place in Saint Johns, New Brunswick, under Bricklin Canada. The car’s body was constructed from fiberglass-reinforced acrylic resin, resulting in a seamless exterior free of wide seams and gaps. The distinctive “safety colors” offered included Safety Red, Safety Green, Safety White, Safety Orange, and Safety Suntan, reinforcing Bricklin’s safety-focused branding.
A Bricklin car promotional image, emphasizing its sporty silhouette and unique styling.
The gull-wing doors were a defining feature of the Bricklin, adding to its futuristic appeal. These doors were operated by an optional electro-hydraulic system, highlighting the car’s innovative engineering. Inside, the Bricklin offered a driver-focused environment with contoured bucket seats, a tachometer, oil pressure gauge, and an AM-FM stereo radio. Powering the Bricklin was a robust 360 cubic inch V-8 engine equipped with a four-barrel carburetor, providing ample performance.
Another Bricklin car promotional shot, showcasing the car’s interior and overall design.
Safety was paramount in the Bricklin’s design philosophy. Malcolm Bricklin himself described his creation not just as “a new car, but a new kind of car,” driven by a commitment to safety shared by his team. Bricklin aimed to produce a durable, affordable, and easily serviceable vehicle. His focus on the smaller sports car market stemmed from the recognition that while sports cars offered superior handling, they often lacked in safety. The Bricklin was engineered with a bumper system designed to exceed existing government safety standards for impact absorption. In the 1970s, U.S. safety regulations required vehicles to withstand 5 mph impacts with minimal damage to safety-related components.
Bricklin car advertising material, promoting the vehicle’s safety and innovative features to potential buyers.
Research into Herb Grasse’s contributions consistently reveals a positive image of him as a kind and charismatic individual, alongside his exceptional talent in automotive design and illustration. From 1973 to 1975, Grasse operated his own design firm and served as the chief designer for the Bricklin sports car, leaving a lasting mark on the automotive world.
A Bricklin car advertisement, cropped to highlight the vehicle’s distinctive gullwing doors and styling.
In conclusion, while Bricklin dealerships were primarily located in the United States and production spanned from 1974 to 1976, the Bricklin car has secured its place as a sought-after classic among automotive enthusiasts globally. Today, Bricklin models command prices ranging from $13,650 to $42,900, reflecting their rarity and unique appeal. The Bricklin sports car remains an enduring symbol in automotive history, remembered and admired for its bold design, safety innovations, and the ambitious vision of Malcolm Bricklin.
References
Fransen, Joseph. “1974-75 Bricklin SV-1: Safety Vehicle and Sports Car.” Collectible Automobile, December 1992, Page 26.
Bricklin Automobile sales catalog. Bricklin Vehicle Corp.
Branch, Jon. “A Brief History of the Bricklin SV-1: Everything You Need to Know.” Silodrome Gasoline Culture, February 6, 2020.
Strohl, Daniel. “RIP Herb Grasse.” Hemmings.com, August 31, 2021.
