While top-tier examples aren’t exactly cheap for enthusiasts searching for a cool gull-wing two-seater, the Bricklin SV-1 still remains more affordable than the DeLorean, although it didn’t have the advantage of being featured in one of the top movies of the eighties. However, this 1974 Bricklin SV-1 here on Hemmings is said to have been used in a Calvin Klein commercial with Justin Bieber and SZA, so it does have a couple of fun celebrity ties going for it! This one’s an older restoration but still a beauty, and though it’s presently located in Mentor, Ohio, the seller says it spent many years as part of a California car collection. The Bricklin can be yours instantly for the asking price of $39,500, but the owner is also considering offers, so it might be worthwhile to try and negotiate.
We’d like to thank Barn Finds reader PRA4SNW for sending us the tip here! As interesting and futuristic as the car was for the period, Malcolm Bricklin was faced with the hardships of mass-producing the SV-1 and turning a profit, and the auto met its demise after a three-year model run with fewer than 3,000 made. Also ahead of their time were some of the incorporated safety features, such as the energy-absorbing bumpers, with SV-1 being short for “Safety Vehicle One”. The seller doesn’t go into many details about what his Bricklin looked like before the restoration, but anything that’s been done outside seems to be of high-quality workmanship, as the body and finish present very nicely all the way around.
All Bricklins came equipped with a V8 engine, but it was when the car was manufactured that determined whether buyers got a 360 AMC motor or a 351 Ford Windsor. The 1974 examples got the American Motors component, which is what’s still under the hood here, with the owner stating that it runs great. Most of the ’74 models came with an automatic transmission, but it’s good to find that this one’s also equipped with a 4-speed manual.
The interior appears to be in fine condition for a driver, and a nice bonus is that the side of the dashboard has been hand-signed by Malcolm Brickin, with his signature additionally appearing on the air cleaner assembly. He also wrote a number underneath his autographs, with the number indicating that this one’s the 647th car from the entire run. According to the Bricklin International Owners Club website, an estimated 1,500 SV-1 cars are still remaining, so these aren’t all that easy to locate, and I’m guessing this one will find a new home rather quickly. What are your thoughts on this 1974 Bricklin SV1?
This is the best looking and cleanest Bricklin I have ever seen with documentation and pictures of Malcolm Bricklin in them signing with the car number and it is a 4-speed. Another piece of history saved!
This is one of the cleanest Bricklins I have ever seen with documentation and Malcolm Bricklin in the pictures signing it with the number 647. I is nice that it is a 4-speed. Another piece of history saved.
Thanks for adding the Owners Club link. I had to look to see if any of the owners cars were from my area. (Upstate NY.) I drove tow truck in my area for a time about a decade ago and upon completing a tow of a vehicle back to an owners home, I was invited into their pole barn to see close to a dozen of these lined up inside. If they’re getting even close to this much money these days, he’s sitting on a gold mine.
The #1 Bricklin expert (After Malcolm) lives in Scottsville, NY, A short drive from the Rochester airport.
I had a red 75 for a few years, these are not a exotic or a sports car. Very kit car like. Yes the 74’s are more rare with a manual.
The cars were not painted.
Yes, they were painted. You are thinking of DeLorean I think. They were stainless
No, The Bricklin SV-1 had a color-impregnated acrylic resin bonded to fiberglass body, which meant that the car did not need to be painted. Minor scratches could be buffed out without the need for additional paint.
I agree with Don. They were not painted! The color was in the gel coat much like a fiberglass boat. Deloreans were also not painted with their stainless steel bodies.
Heavier than I thought 3500lbs+. Probably the 360 equipped w 4sp. Should be a nice performer 220hp/315lb-ft, 3.54 gears.
I’ve always had an affinity for these since they first came out. I did entertain buying one but it had more issues than I wanted to deal with at the time. Can’t recall exactly but something about the door mechanism and other mechanical problems. It resembles the Nissan 300zx which i did own one
Quite possibly one of the worst cars I’ve ever driven was like driving a Gremlin,you could tell was built in New Brunswick.
The Bricklin used AMC Hornet suspension which is the same as the Gremlin’s so not too much of a surprise. The Bricklin used AMC pieces in the interior as well.
In an interview Malcom Bricklin talked about why he changed from AMC to Ford engines, though of course it’s a very one-sided view (warning, strong language):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Ndu90g9rQ&t=552s
Leonard 😲 🇨🇦
Having worked at a Bricklin dealership. Other than an owner, I have spent more hours than most, driving, working and repairing these cars. I agree with the previous comment about a kit car. Solid, almost bullet proof mechanicals with low quality kit car like everything else. I have never seen one that did not have holes drilled in the floor for the place to drain the rain/water that leaks into these. (Even at the Bricklin convention in South Lake Tahoe). I also have never seen a manual gear box car. I still like them.
I still find it hard to believe that anyone drove or parked these outside in bad weather. Same with the ’68-’82 corvettes – & their hidden unprotected birdcages.
I remember when Car and Driver did an article on the Bricklin. I don’t remember exactly what they had to say about the car but I do remember a picture of the interior after a rainstorm where there was so much water sitting in the foot Wells that they had little yellow rubber duckies floating around in it.
I never understood the problem with the nose of these cars. I’ve always liked the body shape of the Bricklin. Thought they were very sporty and unique. I’d rather have one of these than a Delorean.
We were a Pontiac-Honda-Bricklin dealership. After getting our first one ready for the showroom floor. Somehow I was designated to drive the car onto the showroom. Our dealership was on the corner in town. So I had to drive out onto the street, drive down the 60-75 feet to then drive into the showroom. Since I was used to Trans Ams, GTOs and the like I goosed it to checkout the throttle response. The throttle responded well as somewhere in the roof, 5 gallons (approximately) of water come down and drenched me. I continued to pull in the showroom and climbed put of the car. The sales staff had no idea why I was dripping wet! Not a wonderful experience!