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Bricklin SV-1

Model Year: 1975

Location of Manufacture: St. John, New Brunswick

Photograph of young workers at the Bricklin Plant, Saint John, New Brunswick

Young workers at the Bricklin Plant

Saint John, New Brunswick
ca. 1975

The Bricklin SV-1, like the Manic GT, was a car that attracted young men, not just as buyers, but also as committed builders. This image shows a group of young workers at the Bricklin plant in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Credit: Serge Ouellette

Photograph of the Bricklin SV-1 assembly line, Saint John, New Brunswick

Bricklin SV-1 assembly line

Saint John, New Brunswick
ca. 1975

The production line problems of the Bricklin SV-1 have been well documented. Bricklin attempted unsuccessfully to bind fibreglass to acrylic plastic to create the body of the car. This resulted in poor quality, a high failure rate, and increasing costs – all of which contributed to the collapse of the company.

Bruce Flynn, Library and Archives Canada, National Film Board of Canada / Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, Office national du film du Canada, PA-183763

Satirical cartoon of Bricklin project featuring New Brunswick Premier, Richard Hatfield – published in the Edmonton Journal, 30 September 1975.

“The engine appears to be flooded”

Edd Uluschak, Edmonton Journal 
30 September 1975

This cartoon shows former New Brunswick Premier, Richard Hatfield, seated on a sinking Bricklin. A small worm taunts him by saying “Must be a large car to take a whole province for a ride.”

This refers to the $23 million that the Hatfield government gave to Bricklin over a two-year period to keep the company afloat. Despite this public funding, fewer than 3,000 cars were produced.

Library and Archives Canada, Edd Uluschak collection / Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, collection Edd Uluschak
cr 0015215  

View from the rear of the car

View from the rear of the car

Like the Manic GT, the sharp slope of the Bricklin’s roof line prevented passengers from sitting in the rear of the car. A small amount of space was left for cargo.

View of the dashboard and interior

Dashboard and interior

The modern dashboard and interior passenger space simulate the feel of racing car. In models built in 1975 and 1976, only automatic transmissions were available.

View of the gull-wing doors

Gull-wing doors

The signature gull-wing doors were automatic rather than manual, however they often failed, leaving the passengers to lift the 90 lb doors on their own.

Canada Science and Technology Museum, 750622

View of the Bricklin brand mark

Branding

The Bricklin name brand as it appeared in 1975.