Pamela Hanson/Warrior Poets & Ridiculous Malcolm Bricklin in a scene from the documentary “The Entrepreneur.”Malcolm Bricklin might be best known as the man who made a fortune importing Yugos from Eastern Europe, but according to a new documentary film, the 70-year-old serial entrepreneur went on to start a number of other businesses — not a few of which failed.
Mr. Bricklin has had a colorful history. He imported tiny Subaru 360s into the United States in the 1960s and helped start Subaru of America. He briefly produced the namesake Bricklin SV-1, a safety-themed sports car with gull-wing doors that uncannily previewed John DeLorean’s adventures. Mr. Bricklin also sold rebadged Fiats under the Bertone name, introduced the EV Warrior electric bicycle and dabbled in fuel cells.
Most recently, in the 2003-6 period documented in “The Entrepreneur,” a film directed by his son Jonathan, he almost became the first person to import Chinese cars into America in volume. His negotiations with Chery Automobile are documented in “The Entrepreneur,” but the relationship ended in recriminations. Last year, Mr. Bricklin filed a federal lawsuit in Michigan alleging breach of contract.
“I finally had to say goodbye and give up,” Mr. Bricklin said this week in a telephone interview. “If the deal had gone through, Chery would be into its fourth or fifth model introduction in the U.S. and, even in this downturn, would have a big foothold in the American market.”
The film implies that the Chinese deal was his attempt at a “last hurrah,” but he denied this. Mr. Bricklin has two current ventures: marketing ways to help existing cars increase their fuel economy, and wind power. “Wind can be adapted to cars — as you drive down the street you can recharge your batteries,” he said.
“The Entrepreneur” was a four-year commitment for Jonathan Bricklin. While the film was in postproduction, Jonathan met Morgan Spurlock, director of the documentaries “Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?” and “Super Size Me,” who agreed to become executive producer.
“The film blew me away,” Mr. Spurlock said in a telephone interview. “The guy goes nonstop. He’s testosterone unleashed, a brilliant negotiator and an incredible character.”
Because documentary filmmakers are paid in “pieces of string and some magic beans,” Mr. Spurlock said, “The Entrepreneur” is using word-of-mouth to build momentum. The 90-minute movie is being previewed free to the public on distributor SnagFilms’ Web site starting today.
Comments are no longer being accepted.