1974 Bricklin SV1 Coupe

The Bricklin is a gullwing sports car designed by legendary designer Herb Grasse and manufactured in St. John, Canada, for exclusive sale in the United States by General Vehicle Corporation. Production at the plant began in mid-1974 and continued through late 1975 with 3 model years resulting (1974, 1975, & 1976). There were 2,854 cars built before Bricklin went bankrupt. There were 772 produced in 1974 with a 220 horsepower AMC 360 cubic-inch V8. The 1975 model year saw 2,062 cars come off the assembly line. Bricklin went into receivership in September of 1975 with 12 cars left on the line. These had 1976 VIN plates and were considered 1976 models.

The Bricklin was given the designation SV-1, for Safety Vehicle 1. It had a built-in roll cage, side guard rails, and shock-absorbing 5-MPH bumpers that receded into the car. It was not only safe in an accident but had the power and handling to avoid one. The Bricklin far exceeded the safety requirements of the time. It was America's first safety sports car.

This particular Bricklin was the 222nd of the assembly line Its frame was built on 10/1/74 and was launched down the line on 10/3/74. VIN 222 was the pilot 4-speed production car and the first 4-speed built. Bricklin only assembled 144 4-speed cars, making it extremely rare and the most desirable option. VIN 222 was also the Road & Track test car featured in the April 1975 Issue of Road & Track magazine. It graced the cover and the subject of a detailed 8-page article.

This particular car was not only dealer-ordered, it was ordered by General Vehicle as a promotion car for Bricklin Northeast and shipped to Whippany, New Jersey on 11/21/74. VIN 222 went through a ground-up restoration process in 2007 and was restored to its original factory condition in June 2008.