NOT ANOTHER EDSEL, NO SIREEE!

An Article by Charlie Russell

I've been trying to write an article for the Brickline since I became a member of the club in 1992, but didn't know where or how to begin (Oh, that God had given me the writing talents of Steve Cox).

Yes, I'm the one who wrote and recorded the song about the Bricklin.

I am first and foremost a satirical songwriter, like Mark Russell in the U.S., but he makes a load of money at it! Well, here I am in this little Province in Canada known only for its fish, lumber, unemployment and Social assistance -- got the picture?

Okay. So out of the Conservative blue comes Premier Hatfield telling us that New Brunswick is going to build a car; not a Boxcar mind you, but a trendy Sportscar!! Hell, at the time only the Premier himself could afford to drive one! The only tradesmen we had were loggers and fishermen. Well, even if I had been a Conservative supporter (which I wasn't, that Premier had defeated me in the election in 1970), this venture certainly deserved a bit of my song writing satire.

I had very little research to do because the press was filled with daily facts and the Bricklin was the hottest topic in the Legislature ever! I couldn't resist it, I sang the song at every public event throughout the Province and finally recorded it. Hell, hadn't our own Anne Murray had a million seller with Snowbird? Why not me with a Gullwinged car? Would you believe the song became a "hit"? Yep, Number 17 on the Top 100 Country Chart across the nation, and every time Bricklin became a news story the song was played in the background on National Television. The Bricklin had become a political football and the opposition critics were obsessed with killing it, and eventually they did.

I suppose, however, the fact that this tiny Province had invested $23 million in the Bricklin project might have had something to do with its demise, also considering the fact that not many in the work field at the time could relate to the word MILLION, let alone in terms of dollars!

I won't dwell on the history of the problems with the construction of the Bricklin. Terry Tanner can fill you in on that subject extremely well. I stopped to visit Terry in his shop in February, 1992, figuring I would spend a half hour or so. Would you believe about four hours later I was back on the road again? Boy, I wish Terry would write a book on the car, he knows her from conception to abortion.

Although I had a musical affair with the car (and coveted her for years), I still did not have one of my own. After talking to Terry, I joined the club when I returned home. In April of 1992, I shared one of the issues of the Brickline with a buddy of mine who dealt in used cars. "Do you want one of those?" he asked. "Sure, but where would I get one?" was my reply. He told me he would get back to me the next day. He did, and gave me a number to call in Florida. I called, and the guy who answered reminded me that he worked with me thirty years ago in Moncton (a city about a 3 hour drive away). He would, indeed, be interested in selling the Bricklin to me for $2,000 less than he had quoted my friendly used car dealer! His son had sailed some guy's yacht to Florida and damaged it severely. He needed the money to return to college so Dad convinced his son to part with the Bricklin (Dad had financed for him). Did you ever see big boy cry?

On April 2, 1992, I adopted VIN 2792. Please note the date; I purposely waited one day. She was almost cherry...only 335 miles, all original except for belts and hoses. Although it was working perfect(?), I hired a truck to carry it for the three hour trip back home. Although I pointed out the fact that this was April 2, get this! The driver/owner of the truck had just started in business and wanted to get a promotion picture of his new tow truck with this beautiful car on it. He hauled up in front of the local newspaper office! Okay, picture it! My hometown (population less than 5,000), me the local celeb with the car that had become a national issue ready? The total newspaper staff was there (Charlie bought a Bricklin), cameras ready and snapping. Then!! Publisher says, "Pop the doors open and sit in it, Charlie."

My big moment! Push the button...no noise! NO action! I could hear the publisher (a strong supporter of the Government who financed the car) whisper something philosophical like "satirical justice", then broke out in a snicker. You see, I owned the radio station across the street from the newspaper and for years we fought for the same advertising dollar. He Finally had me! We both laughed and I consoled myself with the thought that he might have had his laugh, but I have my Bricklin and I love it!

I retired September 1, 1992, after 23 years in the broadcasting business. Now I spend my time with song writing, traveling, and showing off VIN 2792.

Perhaps when I see all of you at a future meet, I might have a new version of the Bricklin song -- I hope! By the way, I'm looking for a Mini Brick for my grandson. Got one?

To be continued... someday!

Charlie Russell,
Woodstock, N.B.
Canada

(Ed. Note: Sorry to say that as of April 1998, Charlie is leaving the Bricklin family. But we all thank him for his wit and song. Good luck to you Charlie, Via Con Dios.)