Bricklin SV-1 Reviews

1974 Bricklin SV-1 360 gas from North America

Model year	1974
Year of manufacture	1973
First year of ownership	2007
Most recent year of ownership	2009
Engine and transmission	360 gas Automatic
Performance marks	8 / 10
Reliability marks	9 / 10
Comfort marks	8 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	3 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	7.0 / 10
Distance when acquired	26000 miles
Most recent distance	28000 miles
Previous car	SAAB 9000

Summary:

Best sports car I have owned

General Comments:

Car is comfortable.

Has plenty of get up and go.

I have had plenty of sports cars, and this is the best.

Can't go anywhere without 1 or 2 people stopping to ask about it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th May, 2009

1975 Bricklin SV-1 351ci Windsor from North America

Model year	1975
Year of manufacture	1975
First year of ownership	2004
Most recent year of ownership	2005
Engine and transmission	351ci Windsor Automatic
Performance marks	10 / 10
Reliability marks	10 / 10
Comfort marks	8 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	5 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	8.3 / 10
Distance when acquired	27493 miles
Most recent distance	30041 miles
Previous car	Dodge Neon

Summary:

As strong as an Ox with the speed of a Falcon

Faults:

The only thing I have had gone wrong with this car is the Air Lines for the doors go dry rotted since I live in a humid climate. The fuel gauge stopped working, but that was easy to fix, other than that the car has been awesome for me.

General Comments:

This car seriously hauls the groceries. The gauges in the car and accurate, because I have had the car doing 141 mph and climbing. So the 160 mph Speedometer is accurate, the only reason I stopped is because I ran out of straight road!. This car is seriously tough because there was an accident one time involving a Bricklin and a full size Chevy pickup, the car broad-sided the Chevy and split it in half when the only damage to the car was a only broken windshield and damaged headlights (because it was night time).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st November, 2005

28th Dec 2005, 14:52

This seems true, I've had my 74 Bricklin #690 up to 125 and she still had lots of power left, just didn't seem very safe to go at those speeds.

30th Sep 2006, 16:44

This Car Has no problem speeding past 125 MPH.

Although not recommended due to lack of braking ability at such speeds considering Vehicles weight.

I personally love my 2204.

1974 Bricklin SV-1 SV1 AMC 360 from North America

Year of manufacture	1974
First year of ownership	1999
Most recent year of ownership	2003
Engine and transmission	AMC 360 Automatic
Performance marks	9 / 10
Reliability marks	8 / 10
Comfort marks	7 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	7.8 / 10
Distance when acquired	58000 miles
Most recent distance	76000 miles
Previous car	Ford Escort

Summary:

Poor man's exotic car

Faults:

Radiator needed to be recored.

Cracks in the body.

Doors leaked.

Rear hatch did not latch.

A/C did not or ever work.

Transmission is getting sloppy.

General Comments:

I really enjoyed this car.

Despite its flaws it is a real hear turner.

The AMC V8 really was powerful, much more than the 75' models and up. (they had a ford 350)

This car has gull-wing doors, which makes it kinda tough to get in and out of. But it's worth it, trust me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 20th April, 2005

22nd May 2005, 12:54

WOW, THAT GUY WHO COMMENTED ABOVE ME MUST HAVE SOME SORT OF PROBLEM. Anyway, I also purchased a 1974 Bricklin. I had almost the same problems as this one. The body cracked, which was caused by heat and time. The doors leak, but other than that, the car performs very well. I also agree that the 74's are THE BETTER car to buy, the AMC has much more power, and is very reliable. But the best part is, the engine and transmission are very inexpensive to fix. Just a quick trip to Walmart and the problem is solved. But when it comes to the air doors, that stuff gets expensive. Many Bricklins were converted over from hydraulic opening doors, to air doors. This was because the air doors could open much faster, the system just worked better. Its too bad they only made them for 3 years!

27th May 2005, 15:15

I've got a 1974 safety green Brick, #274. While I am discovering the many little quality control issues that almost every Bricklin owner encounters, I can't wait for the day when I have it all in one piece to drive and show off! (currently the drivers door is off and slowly being reworked)

I can't tell you how many people ask me about it when they see me driving it around... even incomplete as it is! It really is an awesome car despite all the flaws!