Before John DeLorean decided that a sports car with gull-wing doors could become a successful endeavor, another auto guru named Malcolm Bricklin had a similar vision, with his SV-1 entering the marketplace in 1974. As with the DeLorean, financial and other problems quickly arose, and the SV-1 didn’t live up to sales expectations. It’s estimated fewer than 3,000 of these were produced before the company folded after just a couple of years, with this one here on Craigslist being car #139 to roll off the assembly line in New Brunswick, Canada. This two-seater is in Elk Grove, California, and has an asking price of $29,000. T.J., thanks for sending us the great tip here!
During my teenage years in the late seventies, there was one of these running around my neighborhood, also orange in color. I remember it well and thought the design was so cool back then, and still do! It’s a shame these cars couldn’t hang on, as not only was there V8 power but safety was also incorporated into the design. The SV-1 name is short for “safety vehicle one”, with the energy-absorbing bumpers among the occupant-protection features. The seller says his Bricklin spent 35 years in storage, and while the exterior could stand some detailing, the composite body still looks pretty good overall. The hood is a bit warbled, but the doors have already received attention, now operating by pneumatic components instead of hydraulic.
Depending on when the car was manufactured, buyers got either a Ford 351 Windsor or an AMC 360 V8, with this one having the latter, as it’s an earlier model. The owner confirms this is the original engine under the hood, and that the 30,828 miles showing on the odometer are believed to be actual. A newer electric fuel pump delivers gas to a rebuilt carburetor, and the motor has also recently gotten a tune-up. This one’s got an automatic transmission, but there’s no word on whether it’s received any maintenance since this Bricklin came out of storage.
The interior isn’t perfect, with at least a couple of visible cracks on top of the dash. However, I was pleased to find dash covers are available, such as those offered by Dash Designs. The seller mentions that the upholstery has already been replaced, but it’s unknown if the laced steering wheel vinyl covering is only there for protection, or if it’s hiding something. I’d love to own this 1974 Bricklin SV-1, and could see driving it as-is for a while or taking it up a few notches immediately both as viable options. What would you do here?
Nice! I’m with you, Mike, I could own this…. I’d wash it, wax it, shampoo the interior, spiff the engine bay, and drive it.
I had a red 75 for about 3 years, these are not a exotic sports car. Very kit car like. This could use a good cleaning. And too high on price.
Plastic marvel. I never could see the value, though they have a much better set up than the stainless steel rival.
Mike, this has the AMC 360. That is a downfall. It also needs a full detail. Then probably some other minor things.
I say the price is high. I don’t understand why people don’t clean them up spotless when selling a car.
I’m not a big AMC fan, though I have owned a few when I needed cheap transportation. However, I don’t see the AMC 360 engine as a problem. In ‘68 AMC introduced a whole new lineup of V8 engines. (290,304,343,360,390,401). Amazingly, they all shared not only the same architecture, but the same block-different cylinder bore size, and rotating assemblies yielded different C. I. D. The engines were actually designed by GM as a replacement for the venerable “small block Chevy” introduced for the ‘55 model year, but for some reason they sold the design to AMC. AMC made boatloads of 304s which found their way into not only passenger cars, but also lots of Jeeps. They are known for their durability. On the top of the scale was the 401 Police Interceptor used in the 4 door Matadors.
I’m a Ford guy, so I too would prefer the 351, but I wouldn’t turn up my nose at a 360 AMC powered example like this one.
AMC introduced the 290 for the 1966 Rambler American Rogue and that engine was offered through 1969.
The 343 was introduced in 1967 and was offered through 1969.
The 390 was introduced in 1968 and was offered through 1970 in the AMX, Javelin, Rebel and Ambassador, in the 1969 SC/Rambler, and for 1970 in the Rebel Machine.
The 304, 360 and 401 were first offered in 1971.
I’ve never heard anything about the later AMC V8s having been designed by GM. If anything I’d guess AMC copied the Chevrolet – Pontiac rocker arm and pushrod design, along with the timing cover and oil pump arrangement of the later Buick engines with distributors at the front.
Incidentally, the AMC intake manifolds for the newer dog-leg heads won’t directly bolt onto the earlier square port heads. The center intake mounting bolt locations are different.
The block deck height was raised slightly in 1970 and also the dowel bushing to properly place the head to the block was larger. I owned 2 AMXs and 2 javelins 35 years ago. Ran the 290, 360 and , two 390s.
I believe the blocks were made with a nickel alloy and were very hard. The 360 I ran was very dependable and helped me burn through a lot of tires.
I would say the AMC engine is a plus more durable and probably more power
Always liked these. Are some of the dash pieces, shifter, steering column and HVAC controls maybe seats AMC parts? Any AMC experts here know?
It’s been a while but I’ve retained most of my AMC knowledge. From what I can see, none of the mentioned parts are AMC made.
I was surprised and skeptical that the owner couldn’t find a mechanical fuel pump. Although fitting positions could change depending on the model, there’s a fair amount of these out there that one that fits this application should be able to be found.
Your earlier comment on AMC’s blocks having a high nickel content rings true. I’ve heard from machine shop employees that those blocks are rough on machining tools and equipment.
I knew a guy who owned a ’72 Gremlin X with the 304 and three speed stick. He had found a 4-barrel intake in a salvage yard Javelin that worked perfectly on the 304 other than for the intake bolt alignment incompatibly, which indicated he’d found an older Javelin. Still, with that swapped intake, headers, traction bars and a recurved distributor that Gremlin would flat out scoot down the road.
Those were the days!
Pawn Stars just turned down a yellow one who’s owner was asking $15K and needed a bit of work. From what I remember, these were dogs in terms of performance. Fantomworks had to rebuild the doors on one a few years ago and it was nightmare.
I have always considered these to be just a notch above a kit car, and not a very big notch. I have never considered them to be even remotely attractive and the quality feels a great deal like they were put together in somebody’s garage.To quote Shark Tank, for those reasons I’m out.
I’ve worked on these cars from the time they came out to this day, and I own 2 of them. While they’re certainly not for everyone…but then again, I think that can be said for lots of things, they are very misunderstood and misrepresented machines. My history with them can, in fact, attest to the following:
1) They are not even close to a kit car as many who have no real knowledge
or experience with them seem to always say. No, they weren’t without
their issues and the factory that built them in New Brunswick was far from
up to the big 3 standards. But then again, Bricklin managed to go from
concept to production, including building a factory in a ridiculously short
time. That in mind, what they accomplished was miraculous. Sure, the
looks are a matter of opinion, as all are, I shall now reference the Cyber
Truck. Ugliest vehicle to ever hit the road in my opinion, but I certainly
don’t knock anyone’s desire to own one.
2) They are not “dog performers”. They are quite responsive and handle
very well…certainly on par with the average Corvette of it’s day. I can tell
you that they are a blast to drive.
3) They are easy to work on and parts are available. There really aren’t any
“nightmare” situations on these cars, they’re relatively simple and any
good mechanic would have no trouble. There are dedicated Bricklin
specialists that can go through a car and make it a good functioning and
reliable car.
4) They are not worthless, values for these cars are steadily increasing
having doubled in the last 10 years.
5) I have seen people comment that gullwing doors are stupid because if
someone parks close to you in a parking lot you can’t open your doors.
In reality, because the doors on a Bricklin are hinged near the center of
the roof, the swing of the door only requires 11 inches clearance to open.
I defy anyone to open any regular car door 11 inches and try to get in or
out of it.
6) They did not go out of business because of lack of sales. In fact, they
were getting more orders than the factory could produce fast enough
which led to not enough incoming revenue to keep the lights on. Bricklin
tried to secure a 20 million dollar loan from the Canadian government to
carry them until production could be increased but was denied. This
sealed their fate.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to convince anybody as to why they should like them if they don’t. But I do think if you’re going to comment…on these or any cars for that matter, do so when it is something you actually know something about or have experience with. If you’ve owned, driven, been in one or next to one, fine. If you haven’t and you’re knocking or promoting a type you’re just doing a disservice to any others who don’t know.
I can understand how one might take offense to negative comments being made about something that they are passionate about. That is a natural reaction. I based my comments (opinions) on my first hand experience with not one, but two of these cars, and while I am sure that there are many other folks that would disagree with me, those are simply my personal opinions.
Agree wholeheartedly coming from another former Bricklin owner! Mine was Safety Tan.
Bricklin’s certainly aren’t without their issues, but they are far from a kit car.
Eclectic Collector, thanks for this post. It’s good to hear from someone with some real-time experience with the subject.
Feel free to copy and paste it every time a Bricklin is featured here.
Thank you, Sir! As I’m sure we can all agree, all car types offer a different and unique experience from one another. This is what makes the hobby so great.
Some just require a little more understanding than others.
I remember back t the time they were being sold, one of the Dealers was Geo. Byers and Sons., located in Columbus, Ohio. A friend of mine worked in the Parts Dept. When They stopped production, Byers purchased the left over inventory, and actually finished assembly of a few that was still in the assembly process. They proceeded to sell remaining parts and one of the workers came up with the idea of converting the workings of the gullwing doors to be more reliable.
The Bricklin SV1 was introduced in ’74 and continued through ’75, going bankrupt and into receivership at the end of that model year. There were 20 cars produced as ’76 models utilizing remaining parts at the factory.
8 years ago I took a tour of this private collection. the owner and his wife have since passed away and I guess this foundation assures a history of the collection.
https://www.amesautomotivefoundation.org/visitor-information
The story is that he wanted to join a local indoor tennis club, but they had no openings. So he built his own indoor tennis courts. That was the current building.
He liked cars with very low mileage.
This is his Bricklin.
https://www.amesautomotivefoundation.org/visitor-information
I just visited the website, what an impressive collection of originals.
I had heard of this collection and sorry that I never tried to visit while living in NH.
Awesome private car collection in the video you shared CeeOne! Everyone that likes any kind of car should watch this piece of history!!
Steve Ames had an engineering degree from Columbia. He started going around to Chevy dealers in the northeast and buying NOS parts and selling them at swap meets. But the Chevy parts were competitive, so he started buying up NOS Pontiac parts. Then he began making Pontiac parts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1MtZqNoBX4
This was a Cobra replica with an overhead cam 427
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hMyfXLowPQ