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Bricklin SV-1
Model Year: 1975
Location of Manufacture: St. 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
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
“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
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.
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.
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
Branding
The Bricklin name brand as it appeared in 1975.