Legendary automotive visionary Malcolm Bricklin will lead the unofficial kick off to this year’s Sweet Sixteen celebration of RetroFest.
The 77-year-old Bricklin will discuss his career in a special event at the Capitol Theatre Wednesday night and will make special appearances at Chatham Chrysler and Victory Ford the following day.
Bricklin began his career as founder and owner of a hardware store chain in Florida in the 1950s. His love of, and fascination with, automobiles began in the 1960s when he recognized the coming need for smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles.
He founded Subaru of America but, ever restless, he sold his stake of the firm in the 1970s to develop an auto manufacturing industry in New Brunswick.
There he produced the iconic car that bears his name.
Some 3,000 of the gull-winged vehicles were sold from 1974 to 1976. At one time it was considered a credible threat to the Chevrolet Corvette.
Production difficulties forced the company into receivership but the car remains hugely popular with collectors.
The two-seater spawned Bricklin clubs and has been featured in a number of movies.
Like it’s creator, it has been the subject of plays and documentaries.
Bricklin set his sights on Europe and became involved in production of the Yugoslavian import known as the Yugo.
One of the fastest-selling cars of its time, it was imported into the U.S. In 1988 Bricklin sold his interest in the company.
Decades before the current trend, Bricklin experimented with electric vehicles and eventually partnered with a number of other entrepreneurs throughout the globe.
Bricklin’s life in the automobile industry will be portrayed in a documentary to be screened at the Capitol Theatre at 7 p.m.
The 92-minute feature was filmed and directed by his son, Jonathan Bricklin and produced by Morgan Spurlock.
Bricklin will be chatting with the audience after the movie.
