If I said that I was about to tell the story of an American classic featuring gullwing doors, panel material that never required painting, and a drivetrain from a third-party supplier, the minds of many would turn to the DMC DeLorean. However, Malcolm Bricklin beat DeLorean to the market with his SV-1, which shared a few other features with the DMC. The first was that the company’s quality control could best be described as gruesome. The sticker price was considerably higher than initial projections, the cars never emerged from the factory in the anticipated volume, and both the SV-1 and the DeLorean sent their creators broke. However, time heals all wounds, and ongoing work by dedicated enthusiasts means that survivors have generally had the bugs eliminated. That is the case with our feature car, a turnkey proposition that has been meticulously maintained. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder PRA4SNW for spotting this beauty.

It is hard to know where to start the story of the Bricklin SV-1. It was the brainchild of Malcolm Bricklin, the same man who gave us the Subaru 360 and the Yugo GV. None of those vehicles were particularly good, but surprisingly, all now enjoy a dedicated following. This SV-1 rolled off the line in 1975, with its first owner ordering it in Safety Red. There’s even a story behind the paint shade names. Bricklin conceived his gull-winged wonder as a sports car, but it hit the market when insurance companies twitched uncontrollably at the mention of those two words. Therefore, the man behind the machine emphasized its safety credentials to avoid a backlash. The body features color-impregnated resin that never needs painting, which means that fading isn’t an issue. The presentation of this SV-1 is first-rate, with no evidence of repairs or other problems. The resin shines like a mirror, and the distinctive alloy wheels feature new lugnuts and center caps. The gullwing doors were one of the key selling points but were also prone to failure. Pump failure and other issues often rendered them inoperative, but the seller permanently addressed the problem so it will never rear its ugly head again. The doors and pop-up headlights now feature air operation, which works faster and is significantly more reliable.

The spotless presentation of this Bricklin’s interior is unsurprising because it recently received new seatcovers, carpet, and a console. The timber is excellent, and the dash hasn’t suffered at the hands of UV exposure. The beautiful leather-wrapped wheel is free from wear, and with the air conditioning now charged with R12 refrigerant, it blows ice-cold.

The saga of the SV-1 can best be summed up by its drivetrain. Like DeLorean, Bricklin sourced its drivetrain components from a third-party supplier. Cars built in 1974 featured AMC’s 360ci V8, but those produced the following year derived their power from Ford’s 351ci V8. There was always conjecture about why the change occurred, but many people believe that AMC was rude enough to ask for payment for its components and that Bricklin didn’t have the funds. The 351 produced 175hp and 286 ft/lbs of torque, which feeds to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. However, a few more ponies may be available because the seller recently installed an upgraded intake and carburetor, significantly improving the engine’s breathing. That is the tip of the iceberg, with the seller adding an aluminum radiator, a stainless steel exhaust, new belts and hoses, a master cylinder, an engine wiring harness, and a fuel pump. The list goes on, but I think you probably accept that they have lavished it with TLC. They have only clocked around 200 miles since work ended and say it runs and drives perfectly. All someone needs to do is hand over the cash, and they can hit the road in this beauty.

When it was new, the Bricklin SV-1 was an epic disaster, but those that survive tend to be free from the gremlins that plagued them initially. This 1975 example is listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Atlanta, Georgia. The seller set the price at $30,500, which is competitive in the current market. It is believed that around 3,000 of these classics rolled off the line before the ax fell, and company records confirm that 2,062 of those carry 1975 VINs. How many survive? Estimates vary between 1,500 and 1,800 cars, which is a surprisingly high percentage. Now that you know the recent history of this one, would you consider pursuing it further?