Originally intended to document my experience of DeLorean ownership, focus is often radical and strange, boring and obtuse.

Friday, June 02, 2006

The Bricklin

Cars go vroooom!

The weather has been so fantabulous lately that the streets are overflowing with slippery collector cars blinding me with their wax-jobs. And I was lucky enough to snap a couple of pictures of this awesome Bricklin SV-1 the other day. But why is the Bricklin so awesome? Partially because it's Canadian-built, and partially because it's kinda like the DeLorean's long-lost twin.

In fact, the similarities between Malcolm Bricklin's creation and the DeLorean are undeniably bizarre.

You think I'm on crack? Well, I'll tell you who's on crack - Those crackheads who regularly mistake my DeLorean for a Bricklin simply because they share the same exotic gull-wing door feature.

But that's not even the half of it. Both the Bricklin SV-1 and the DeLorean DMC-12 were designed primarily as "safety vehicles" with impressive, ahead-of-their-time life-saving devices.

The 'SV' in Bricklin's SV-1 actually stands for Safety Vehicle, and the DMC-12 was originally named the DeLorean DSV, or DeLorean Safety Vehicle. Sadly, some of the DeLorean's safety features, like airbags, did not materialize on production cars. But others, such as side-impact bulkheads that protect passenger's hips and lower torso have been recently adopted by Volvo.

The Bricklin's ass is sweet.The similarities continue with the fact that both cars were 2-seater rear-wheel-drive sports cars that came with amazing, ground-breaking standard features such as a see-through windshield, tires, a wheel for changing directions, and the reverse gear, which came in handy when trapped inside a garage or horse trailer.

The final similarity is how both companies failed - Bricklin after producing approximately 2,857 nifty vehicles, Delorean after producing around 8,700. Which makes Mercedes-Benz the only mainstream company to still exist, that once offered a factory-built gull-wing door car.

People seem to either love or hate the Bricklin. The one I saw here had ill-fitting doors, but otherwise looked immaculate. Although the exterior is deadly, I've never really been a huge fan. Upon viewing the vomit-coloured interior option borne of the 70s, (which is totally cool in a bizarrely retro way) some fans become non-fans. Still, the Bricklin is a totally awesome car, at least on the exterior, and a super-radical collector car due to its low production run.

But people are all entitled to their opinions (even if they're crazy).

I've been told by uninformed people that my car is an interesting part of Canadian history. I've been told that I had been ripped off because my DeLorean didn't have the original 351 Ford V-8 or the AMC 360. I've even been corrected, and told that my car was built in New Brunswick, not Ireland. And I've been told that the Staypuff Marshmallow man and Bib, the Michelin Man, are the same guy.

It's quite strange what people tell me.

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11 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Martini, did you stop & introduce yourself as a fellow car nut or does the hapless Bricklin owner think that he is being stalked and photographed by a scary person. (scarier that you)

3:31:00 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am the scariest of all! I will destroy that Bricklin!

5:38:00 PM

 
Blogger Joseph said...

I don't quite understand why you bold the first 2 or 3 words in every paragraph you post. It is very disorienting. I expect to see a medieval illumination spin around endlessly somewhere.

5:51:00 PM

 
Blogger Louisiana said...

some times people just need to talk. most times people shouldn't. blahing away doesn't make them smarter or wittier and with that i'm finish...;)

cool pic...

6:49:00 AM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

I am trying to come up with smart-ass remarks about Canadian made cars and I may need you help...so far I have.

1) Did the beavers build them too?
2) Are the parts stuck together with maple syrup?

What do you think?

7:45:00 AM

 
Blogger Rainypete said...

You forgot to mention that our Canadiuan built cars of old are far safer than today's automotives for the simple reason that while the amount of steel in today scars diminishes with every year, yesterday's Canadian cars are constructed of solid maple.

7:47:00 AM

 
Blogger Martini said...

Joseph - I'm a boldaholic. I need help. Will you sponsor me?

SJ - you crack me up. We used to just spit on the parts and cross our fingers, then discovered that maple syrup is much stronger!.... plus the cars smell way better.

11:26:00 AM

 
Blogger Rowan said...

Bib? That's his name? Re-he-he-lly!

Hrmf! You never know with some folk.

11:31:00 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'd just like to know who Martini is and why he is stocking me and my Bricklin. Kinda makes ya wonder what DMC people do other than wish for a Bricklin.

Owner of Brick999

Note: Images Used Without Permission

8:40:00 AM

 
Blogger Martini said...

Hi anonymous,
I'm sorry, but you appear to have taken offense to my post about your car and I'm confused by your confrontational remarks.

The post was not intended as a personal affront in any manner. If you read carefully, you'd see that alongside that one interior comment, I also stated that I love the styling of the Bricklin as well as its rareness.

The word awesome means good, not bad.

As for the photos, since I took them using my camera, on a public road, I do not require any persmission to use them. However, that being said, I'd be glad to blur out the plates for you if you like.

I'm not out to make enemies, just trying to offer some interesting and exciting posts for my readers. And your car was certainly both.

3:49:00 PM

 
Blogger Martini said...

Dear Annonymous. I have removed your licence plate even though I have every right to leave it there. What, no thank-you? Well sir, I certainly hope all Bricklin owners aren't as rude (or unaware of the law) as you are.

11:28:00 AM

 

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