[DML] Re: sorry, what car

[Senatorpack@xxxx]

Another list member, J. Brad Vincent and I were invited to a serious Bricklin 
collector in Rochester New York. The facility was incredible. This 
particular collector was a used car dealer/science teacher that sold 
primarily used Bricklin cars. I believe he had 15-20 Bricklin in stock. He 
had a DeLorean with 1000 miles and a yellow 1980 Corvette.
All were in what he describes as perfect condition. One particular car a rare 
4 speed manual transmission Lime green color, most were automatic 
transmission, could not get the door open. It took 4 of us to get the car 
door open. 
There are major differences between the Bricklin and the DeLorean. First 
the powertrain are Ford 351 Windsor or American Motors engines. ((I think 
this is where a lot of people ask if the DMC has a Ford engine. Also the 
DeTomasa Pantera has a Ford engine, this car has been confused with the 
DeLorean before.))
In addition there a major differences in the quality of the Bricklin vs. 
DeLorean. The DeLorean has the cozy feeling of a well engineered interior. 
The "look" of the DeLorean interior is pleasing to the human eye. On the 
other hand the Bricklin, in my opinion, the engineers focused more on the 
exterior design than the ergonomics of the interior. The Bricklins interior 
was, as described earlier, "kit car" or unsophisticated.
Additionally, The fit and finish of the acrylic body panels on the 
Bricklin was questionable. The cars with little to no miles on the odometer, 
less than 10,000 miles were the cars that still had the new car look. Cars 
that were repainted or driven over 10,000 miles had stress related cracks due 
to body flexing, and panel failure in the area of the "T roof section and 
front fenders." However the door alignment and front fender alignment on the 
early DeLoreans were questionable. The DeLoreans had to have a Quality 
Assurance Center, rework the cars to make them up to the standards of quality 
production car status. The Bricklins were manufactured in St. John New 
Brunswick Canada an area with a high number of unemployed. DeLorean assembly 
was in Dunmurry Northern Ireland, an area with a high number of unemployed.
The Bricklin and the DeLorean both were attempts by eccentric, self 
promoting people to make a dent in the American Automotive industry. Malcolm 
Bricklin has a sales background. He was given credit for the Dealership 
network for the Yugo and the Subaru Motor Company. His latest attempt to sell 
electric bicycles failed a few years ago. He marketed the Bricklin as a 
safety vehicle. Designed into it was a steel "bird cage" The name bird cage 
came from the sea-gullwing door openings. The car owner was told to hand wash 
the car, a car wash would damage the acrylic finish. The car didn't have a 
cigar/fag lighter, smoking while driving the Bricklin was not permitted.
DeLorean had an education in Automotive engineering and a MBA. This 
combination along with a successful marketing plan of his name while at 
General Motors gave him the track record needed to start his own company. 
DeLorean was one of the greatest money raisers in our industrial history. 
DeLorean first marketed the car as the DSV or DeLorean Safety Vehicle. The 
car was reengineered from serious safety car to serious sports car to finally 
a luxury production car of equal status symbols to that of a Mercedes Benz or 
Porsche 924/924.
I believe politics, mismanagement of the companies and a serious lack of 
a business plan helped both companies collapse.
Brad if your not busy give us your feedback. You own both cars. What is 
your opinion?

Senator