BaT Auction: 1974 Bricklin SV-1 4-Speed

This Bricklin SV-1 is reportedly one of 772 examples produced for the 1974 model year. Originally conceived by Subaru of America founder Malcolm Bricklin, the “Safety Vehicle One” was designed by Herb Grasse and featured an integrated steel roll cage, large impact bumpers, and gullwing doors. This example is finished in Safety Green and powered by a 360ci AMC V8 mated to a 4-speed manual transmission. The car was reportedly refurbished in the mid-1990s, while more recent work included installation of new hydraulic door pumps and relays. The car has spent seven years at the AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which will receive all proceeds of the auction. This SV-1 is offered with a clean Pennsylvania title in the museum’s name.

Approximately 3,000 SV-1s were built in New Brunswick, Canada prior to the company’s closure in 1976. Their fiberglass bodies featured a bonded acrylic coating that was impregnated with one of five “safety” colors over black lower panels.

Turbine-style 5-lug wheels wear BFGoodrich Radial T/A white-letter tires. Braking is from power-assisted discs up front and drums out back.

The gullwing doors weigh 90 pounds each and are raised by hydraulic cylinders, new pumps and relays for which were recently installed.

Interior features consist of brown cloth upholstery, a 3-spoke steering wheel, an AM/FM stereo, and air conditioning. VDO instrumentation includes a 160 mph speedometer with a 5-digit odometer indicating just under 26,500 miles, a handful of which were added during current ownership.

The 360ci AMC V8 features a single 4-barrel carburetor and was factory rated at 220 horsepower with 315 lb-ft of torque when new. Of the 772 examples produced for 1974, just 155 were reportedly equipped with the BorgWarner T-10 4-speed manual transmission seen here. An oil change was performed in 2013, while previous records are unavailable. Videos of the doors and lights operating are viewable below.