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Show 00 Chnrtr taxing JXI ooiwwl, iMlhw, Cd KKMn, 2 to otnoM, 01 VW Jetla. oustom wheals, only , 11k muss, $14606 1O0SO r I U J .". 'V I I ' I l ; I I I I. ,1 m m 'in -t i ar -i -u i m f n i i i m M i: I '-'I II: ' . r r ... : "At , ' - r . ' 6 f L v::;,.. - .-iinw-wM.riiin ,t r M F -V, ' , mi"4 By MALCOLM GUNN WHEELBASE COMMUNICATIONS A fiberglass-bodied hatchback with a burbling V8, pop-up headlights and 'gull-wing doors sounds like a high-performance exotic that can't miss. However, the car in question ques-tion is the Bricklin SV-1, a quirky, yet affordable-for-the-time Canadian-built coupe that lasted less than two years before disappearing disappear-ing under a deluge of debt and disappointment. Much nas been said and written about just how big a failure the Bricklin turned out to be. But the idea behind this GT-style sports car was actually ahead-of-its-time brilliant. It was in the execution that things went awry. Malcolm Bricklin conceived con-ceived his namesake in the early 1970s as an inexpen-, sive two-seater that could withstand significant collision colli-sion damage and protect its passengers in cocoon-like safety (the model designation designa-tion SV-1 stood for Safety v Vehicle No. 1). The front and rear bumpers were built to absorb a 10 m.p.h. whack without hurting the fiber- , glass body and the bolt-on body panels hid a protective safety cage with side guard rails that were built to withstand with-stand rollovers and side v ' impacts. Some of these fea-' tures are considered normal today, but they were groundbreaking ground-breaking 30 years ago. Bricklin, a former building-supply v chain-store mogul and North America's first Subaru importer, was actually on to something with his concept. ; The Bricklin SV-1 made its pub-lie pub-lie debut on June 25, 1974 in , KTjm. VmIt Piu tintlt tion beginning shortly after. ; Along with its safety fea- tures, the Bricklin's skin was made using an advanced . F I N E LINES BRICKLIN SV-1 vacuum-forming- process that mixed the paint into the gel-coat in much the same way boats and personal watercraft are made. The body was then bolted to a steel frame that could be easily eas-ily detached . for quick :pairs, u necessary. ror the sake ot simpuci- Bricklins were only avail- ile in nve exterior shades: red; orange; green; white; and tan, all using the safety drefix. An eignt-inch-wide Mack strip was painted along toe bottom of the doors and fenders, supposedly to make the car appear lower and to bide stone chips and assorted assort-ed road jgrime. 1 Inside its electrically operating swing-up doors, the only trim color, to be found was beige. ..- :C v. " ' The Bricklin was actually; similar to the Chevrolet Corvette in most key dimensions dimen-sions and, with its rear; hatchback, promised greater' practicality compared to the stowage-starved plastic levy. ' v Even before the Bricklin itered production, enthusi- ;t publications began trush- ig over the car. One popular ltomotive magazine proud ly trumpeted that "...Bricklin will have no trouble selling all the cars than he can build." and went on to refer! to it as "a tangible threat to me (jorvette .. First-year 1974 can, 780 in total, used a 220-horse- power 360-cubic inch V8 and related automatic trans mission and suspension! components supplied oy American Motors Corporation (an available tour-speed gearbox, howev er, came from Chrysler). The 2,117 '75 SV-ls came with Ford's 351-cube Windsor V8 that generated 175 horses hors-es and used that company's automatic transmission. Regardless of power- plant, all Bnckiins were fully equipped with air con ditioning, tilt steering wheel, AMFM stereo radio, digital clock, tinted glass, front disc brakes and alloy wheels. The only key item lacking was a spare tire, . a potential disas ter well before run-flat tire technology and cellular phones had been invented. - The actual production volumes were nowhere near Malcolm Bricklin's pie-in- the-sky plans of 12,000 units to be built in the first vear. 30,000 in the second, $0,000 in the third and 100,000 by the end of 1977. . Problems immediately surfaced when the first batch of cars arrived at dealer showrooms. Most had second-rate door and hood-panel hood-panel fit, missing weather-stripping, weather-stripping, electrical problems prob-lems and a host of other glitches. What was to be a leading-edge Grand Touring machine seemed more like a poorly constructed kit car. Price also became a bone of contention. Originally, dealers were told that each Bricklin would sticker for around $6,500, $2,000 below the Corvette. But the final list was closer to $ 10,000, further negating the SV-l's competitive edge. . The Bricklin plant , teetered along until September of 1975. By that time, the tiny Canadian province of New Brunswick, which had sunk millions of dollars into the project, finally final-ly had enough. Funding was cut off, the company placed into receivership and hundreds hun-dreds of employees were suddenly out of work. Some Bricklin die-hards argue that, with a bit more time to get its act together, , the car could have become a financial success. That's doubtful, since there never was, nor will there ever like-ly like-ly be, a high demand for the kind of two-seat fun-mobiles that Malcolm Bricklin envi-' envi-' sioned..;''i'.' -i.',:-'?'1 Its safety legacy lives on, ' but lacking sufficient quality, quali-ty, practicality and the necessary nec-essary price-point advan- tage, the Bricklin dream was destined to become a night-' mare. " v...;:.::,t.' W Malcolm Gunn is . W h t el b a it Communications' chief road tester and historic, writer. Wheelbase is a world-wide supplier of automobile news, ' renews and features. John MtthwnttJmmynN , ToH frM M 241-9444 00 Dodo 2600 oxL cab 4X4 SLT, eummfn total, right color 4 rrtlef, $24866 ? John Mochant at Jaramy ax It Toll traa M 241-0444 00 Dodga Caravan, clean, right , mM, only $7,906 John Mecham at Jaramy axlt ' Toll traa (M 241-0444 00 Ford F-160, XLT 6upar-cat. Off-Road PKfl, two-ton, $18896 . John Macham at Jaramy axlt Toll traa MO 241-0444 , 00 Honda Civic, dean, low rrutea, fcOOQK John Macham at Jaramy axlt : Toll frao 860 241 4444 iftttl ' John Macham at Jaramy axil ' Ton traa 000 241444 00 Oubearu Foraatar t, laathar, low mHa, naw ttraa, $14600 , -Hp. tioh UCtMfT1 it JfaWTry Mil - , jtelt traa 000 241-0444 "i I ; .,- 01 Audi A-4 Ouattro, baautlul value va-lue , graat mtaa, $26606 - John Macham at Jaramy axlt . Toll Iraa See 2414444 - 01 Dodga Dakota Quad Cab, VS. ' axtmclaan, $16060 eeai John Macham at Jaramy axrt ToN Iraa SOS 241-0444 , 01 Jaap Orand Charokaa LTD, aH cptlona. 2 to ohooaa Irom, ataitno 6200B9 , John Macham at Jaramy axlt Toll traa see 241-0444 Custom & CImoIcs 'Our Quality Shows' High qually oMtoratlon aarvloaa and ttraal rod anglnaarlng taiorad to your taste. Experlancad, proteeslonal craftamen In our lull aarvlce lacmiy provide discreet and personal attention for your special protect. Early classics a specialty. Customs ft ClaHica - 4674 S. Brown, SLC, UT 84107. 801-288-1863. anma.cuaioi , 1 ... , tops, pwr windows, 1 o) a Hnd, . $18006 ' EB ) ' John Moctafii ! Jawff , Ton Ires SOS 241-0444 t , r ? " 01 SUBARU LEOjACY Outback WON, 6 tpd, air, low nHlaal Sale $16,000. Cl 0404136 ,f , - 02 Dodga 2600 Quad-cab, dtaaeL upgraded wheats A Urea, $27806 John Macham at Jaramy exit ToN free 60S 241-0444 02 Dodge Chrysler $00 M aun-roof, aun-roof, leather, right miles, $16606 - e e e e e - i : John Macham at Jeremy exit . : Toll free SOS 241-0444 : 02 Dodge Durango RT, al options. op-tions. Extri dean, 625,965 . tin John Mecham at Jeremy exit Toll tree SS6 241-0444 . ; 02 ' Dodge . Durango'a, 2 to choose, teen mles, S pass, rear. ac, starting $20096 I III! John Macham at Jeremy exN ' Toll tree SOS 241-0444 02 Jeep Orand Cherokee LTD Factory Exec car, aide air bags, ed , S249M John Mecham at Jeremy exit - Toll free see 241-0444 v, 03 Dodga Heml OC, save $$$ . over new, SZ7W0 , ; e " e e e e e John Mecham at Jeremy exit ToN wee 60S 2414444 ' 1063 TRIUMPH TR4 call Ed tor details. 435640-0463 1066 FORD BRONCO II 4x4, 30 000 on new angina Call Taml after 2:30. 436457-0370 1002 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE, 4 WD, only 80k one owner mHee. Loaded. New tires, brakes, etc. Excellent Ex-cellent cond. $6250. 616-962-7710 1804 TOYOTA LAND Cruiser 4X4, excellent condition, all options, new Mack paint, $3500 stereo system, sys-tem, new Ores, leather Interior, sun roof, $15,760 436 616-7165. 1006 FORD EXPLORER 125K ' highway miles, 4 WD, naw tires, ' tow package, great condition. $5900OBO.435-613-7111. , 1006 JAGUAR VANDENPLAS 40,000 miles. Excellent condllon. ' $23,000. Call 307-742-6608 ' stacker, healed tea 2001 AUDI A4 Ouattro 23K miles, loaded, $23,500, 436 645-7707. SUMMIT COUNTY SURPLUS VEHICLES FOR SALE 1 2000 Ford F-160, 32000FordF-150, 4 1999 Ford F-1 50, -8 2000 Ford F-1 50,' 7 1998 Ford F-160, ' 8 2000 Ford F-1 SO, 5 1997 Ford Explorer, R1 1990 Ford Ranger, R2 1997 Ford Ranger, R9 1997 Ford Ranger, 1996 Chevrolet Blazer, 1993 Ford Taurus, 103984 rrttas, 99749 miles, 61608 rnlss, : 77772 miss, 86973 mies.Mln. 82470 miles, , 10186 mlles.Mln. 72997 miles, 72014 miles, 96972 miles, . . 91553 miles, 83203 mlles.Mln. Mm. Bid $7600 Min. Bid $8000 Mln. Bid $5500 Min. Bid $7500 BKJJ6500 Mln. Bid $6100 Bid $5000 - Mln. Bid $5600 Mln. BkJ $4500 Mln. Bid $3500 Mln. Bid $2600 Bid $1500 For detailed Intormation call 435-336-3016, 435-783-3016 or 435416-3016. , The are available to view at 1 755 So. HoytsvMe Road. Maid Bid to: Summit County Auditor P.O. Box 128 Coalville, Utah 84017 BIDDING WILL CLOSE ON SEPT. 8th. 2003 O 5:00p.m Vehicles are sold as Is. Al sales are final. e e e e e John Mecham at Jeremy extl ' Toll free $06 2414444 ' 02 Jeep Liberty Ltd. Leather Wd. seats, Cd stacker, low miles, $20966 - mil John Mecham at Jeremy exit Toll free $ee 2414444 02 Jeep Liberty Sport choose, starting O $13996 2 to it ' John Mecham at Jeremy exit Toll tree 666 2414444 08 JEEP ORAND Cherokee, (up country) 4 dr. 4x4, pwr windows, AC, remote lock. Well maintained. Silver, 105K miles, $8000, priced below low Hue book. Cat 435449-9866 435449-9866 or 901-1985. ' SPENCER Auto Sales I00D CC3 654-1931 Psrts 46 East 200 South Heber. Utah www.8pencerautQ8ale8.com Call Toll Free 1-888-653-5969 SS RANOE ROVER excellent shape, brand new Ursa, low mlee, V8, 4WD, AM FM tape, AC, $5000 OBO. 436648-7008. 82 TOYOTA 4 runner - red with leather, , V6, original owner, new engine, clutch and transmission, $6,000 OBO. 666-8670 83 FORD EXPLORER XLT, Auto-matic, Auto-matic, 135K, loaded, tow pkg., 4 WD, looks and nine great $4196. 4364454032. 93 Jesp Wrangler, hard top, tow mles, graat shape, $7995 e e e e e John Mecham at Jeremy exit Toll free 666 2414444 86 FORD EXPLORER XLT, 4X4, 103K Hwy. Air, cruise, Yakima rack 6 CD, moonroot. $5400. Call after 6pm 435447-0183. - 86 Chev Tehoe 2dr, extra dean, low rmiee, $11950, e e e e e - John Mecham at Jeremy exit Toll free 666 2414444 96 Pontiac Sunllre Convertible, leather Interior, loaded 7600K mi, $4,600OBO 4356164951 97 6TH WHEEL Trailer 4 door, 5 passenger seat, dleeel engine, auto au-to transmission, perfect condition $46,995, 800 826-6844, ext 116 87 JEEP ORAND Cherokee LTD. V8, loaded, heated leather seats, tow pkg , low 55k ml. $11,995. Call 435445-7830. . ,, , 86 FORD EXPLORER XLT, 4x4. Green, 96K mi., new tires, nice, clean. Below blue bk $7000. 435-763-5541 or cell 435440-1306. 08 Chev Crew Cab 4X4, SLT, 7.4 V8, leather, -new 17" mags and oversize tires, $21995 in . John Mecham at Jeremy exit Toll tree 866 2414444 88 Ford F460 Super Duty power-stroke, power-stroke, Super cab, extra clean, shell,$17995 . r mil John Mecham at Jeremy exit Toll tree 666 2414444 SUV'S FOR SALE: 66 Toyota Landcruleer, 4-spd, 104K, $8400, 03 Jeep Wrangler, 5-spd, 29K, $9100, 91 Jeep Cherokee Sport, 4-Door, 93K, $5400. All 4 WD, appointed, ap-pointed, maintained, garaged. Private Pri-vate party: 435-668-4900. nni nnl Place an ad in The Park Record classifieds and get your classified on-line at vmw.parkreco rd.com |