I’m not going to say that the Bricklin SV-1 (“Safety Vehicle One”) was ahead of its time, but putting an emphasis on safety wasn’t a hot topic in the 1970s. Malcolm Bricklin certainly made the safe sports car he envisioned, with its impact-absorbing front and rear bumpers, and rollover protection system, but his car is but a footnote in the North American auto industry.
With gullwing doors, fiberglass/acrylic body panels and a pronounced front bumper, the SV-1 looks like a sports car from a low budget movie produced by Roger Corman. It’s not subtle or for everyone but, if one is inclined to be a maverick and engage a crowd at Cars and Coffee, then an SV-1 is for you.
The Pick of the Day is a 1974 Bricklin SV-1 listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Beaufort, North Carolina. (Click the link to view the listing)
“The dash is signed by Malcolm Bricklin and Herb Grasse, the car’s designer,” the listing states. “There were only 772 of these cars built in 1974. This is # 586.”
This SV-1 is powered by an AMC 360ci V8 engine paired with an automatic transmission. The seller states that the vehicle has 78,000 miles and the drivetrain is believed to be original. Judging by the photos in the listing, the SV-1 appears to be in solid condition with expected wear and tear. Most importantly, the 90-pound gullwing doors work properly.
I have a soft place in my heart for the SV-1. It was the DeLorean before DeLorean, and Malcolm Bricklin is an interesting historical figure in the automotive world. The SV-1 wasn’t a hit but give Bricklin credit for making the car he thought the world needed.
The listing price for this 1974 Bricklin SV-1 is $24,500 or best offer.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
I was in the market for a vehicle in the same genre as the Bricklin when it hit a few limited showrooms. One of which was in Houston. My wife and I went to inspect one on the showroom floor of that dealership. It was poorly made and the gullwing doors were so flimsy they flapped like a true gull’s wing when opened. Owning a Bricklin would be a good way to get a conversation going but do not expect it to be durable.
I knew someone that could never keep their Bricklin running. It is a nice looking car so if it was to be garage kept, it probably be fine.
Car mags of the day listed the 360 AMC engine in the first 280 vehicles. Supposedly #281, and beyond, had the Ford 351.