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Bricklin Acrylic body to revolutionize Automaking?
PHOENIX, ARIZ.--Will introduction of the Bricklin safety car to
the U.S. automobile market spark an international revolution in automaking?
Malcolm Bricklin, 35-year-old president of Phoenix-based General Vehicle Inc.,
America's newest automobile manufacturer, is convinced that his car's vacuum
formed acrylic body will be widely emulated in the near future.
In an interview Bricklin said acrylic has many advantages over traditional
sheet metal, both in safety and durability.
"All auto men are generally aware of this," he said.
"it was comparatively easy for us to adopt acrylic as a body material
because a completely new car has no expensive retooling costs."
Bricklin pointed out that acrylic is a pliable material which neither crumples
nor radiates damage. Color impregnated, it is also fade resistant and won't
peel, flake or corrode.
Scratches, he said, can be buffed out by hand. He added that the material will
shut out road noise better than sheet metal and, because of lighter weight, can
help improve gasoline mileage.
The Bricklin, a two-seat fastback powered by a 360 cubic inch, four barrel V-8
engine, is reported to deliver nearly 20 miles per gallon. It will sell in the
$6,000 range.
"We're setting precedent with the safest and most
advanced production car ever built," Bricklin said. "None of
our safety features are add-ons. Eventually Detroit will see fit to invest in
retooling. Public demand for accident protection will necessitate it."
Other safety features of the Bricklin, whose styling resembles Italy's $29,000
Maserati, include bumpers which will withstand a 10 mph crash, box steel frame
instead of conventional U steel frame, individually enclosed engine and fuel
tank and integral roll cage protection.
Unfortunately, chips and
cracks are normal for the acrylic bodies. They can be sanded out and filled
with bondo, then the areas painted.
The roofs have a tendency to sink or become
concave.
Turn ups on the headlight covers and the hood are also
common.
The body and the bumper tend to become
different colours due to the fact that the bumper is painted and the paint and
acrylic fade at different rates.
General Vehicle Inc. and Subsidiaries
General Vehicle Inc., was
formed In 1971 for the purpose of developing and producing a unique safety
automobile to be named Bricklin. Malcolm Bricklin, 35, in company founder,
chairman and president. He previously introduced the
Subaru automobile to the United States. In his early 20's he formed the
nationwide Handyman hardware store franchise system.
General Vehicle is headquartered In Phoenix, Ariz. Research and development
functions are housed in a new 33,000 square foot building in Detroit. The
reinforced concrete facility with brick decorative fronting includes 9,000
square feet of office space.
Brickin acrylic body panels are manufactured in the company's plant in Minto,
New Brunswick, Canada. A modern 130,000 square foot assembly plant is located
in St. John, New Brunswick. An additional assembly plant is scheduled for the
southwestern United States next year.
General Vehicle owns four subsidiary companies--Bricklin Canada, Ltd., Bricklin
Vehicle Inc., Bricklin Northeast and FasTrack International Speedway.
Bricklin Canada, in which the Province of New Brunswick is a financial partner,
conducts Canadian operation. Bricklin Vehicle is a national marketing arm.
Bricklin Northeast is a marketing entity for 200 opening dealerships in 12
northeastern states.
FasTrack International
Speedway is a major Southwest auto racing oval located in Phoenix. Site of the
Phoenix 150 and Arizona 150, it is also utilized for Bricklin testing.
The General Vehicle executive team is composed of veteran Detroit automobile
executives experienced in all phases of design, engineering, manufacturing and
servicing. They elected to leave positions with General Motors, Ford, Chrysler,
American Motors and Renault U.S.A. to take part in the Bricklin developmental
adventure.
General Vehicle production plans call for 12,000 Bricklins the first year,
30,000 the second, 50,000 the third, and 100,000 at the end of four years.
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