DALE (AUTOMOBILE)

In November of 1974, newspapers reported the imminent launch of a two-seater car called the 'Dale', which would give 70 MPG and sell for $2,000! This was to be followed by a $2,450 car called the Revelle that would give 50 MPG, and an eight-seater station wagon, Vanagon, for the same amount that would deliver 40 MPG. All of these vehicles were to be three-wheelers.
The company behind this was Twentieth Century Motor Car Corporation. Mystery surrounds its president Elizabeth Carmichael, 37 (in 1974), said to be widow of a NASA structural engineer, mother of five, whom newspapers reported as a 6-foot, 200-pounder who grew up on a farm in Indiana. There are also reports of Mrs. Carmichael being a transsexual, born Jerry Dean Michael. Hard to tell how all of this could be true at the same time, but the automotive tale is for real.
The Dale prototype was built by Dale Clift and the project was marketed by Elizabeth Carmichael with much bravado. Speaking to reporter Dan Jedlicka of Chicago Sun-Times in November 1974, Mrs Carmichael said she was on the way to taking on General Motors or any other car manufacturer for that matter. She said she had millions of dollars in backing "from private parties", and also talked of a 150,000 sq ft assembly plant in Burbank, California and over 100 employees on the rolls.
One of the most noted individuals to be "charmed" by Elizabeth Carmichael was Johnny Carson. She appeared on his "Tonight Show" and, though we did not personally see the show, there are reports that Carson was ready to invest in the car.
"By eliminating a wheel in the rear, we saved 300 pounds and knocked more than $300 from the car's price. The Dale is 190 inches long, 51 inches high, and weighs less than 1,000 pounds", said Mrs. Carmichael. She maintained that the car's lightness did not affect its stability or safety. The low center of gravity always remained inside the triangle of the three wheels making it nearly impossible for it to tip over. She also went on record to say that she drove it into a wall at 30 MPH and there was no structural damage to the car (or her). She said the Dale was powered by a thoroughly revamped BMW two-cylinder motorcycle, which turned out 40 horsepower and would hit 85 MPH. She expected sales of 88,000 cars in the first year and 250,000 in the second year.
The story is long and truly fascinating. Get the unabridged version here, carried by The Commercial Appeal, Memphis on Nov 14, 1974. And this extract from The Libertarian Forum Newsletter of May 1975 that talks of the great "ripoff".
Not to be…
None of the three vehicles (Dale, Revelle or Vanagon) were ever believed to have been manufactured apart from two prototype vehicles, and only one of those was able to run under its own power. It is alleged that there were rumors of fraud and the authorities began to investigate.
Clift said he still believed in the project and that he would receive $3 million in royalties once the Dale went into production. In all, he received $1,001, plus a $2,000 check, which bounced. And Elizabeth Carmichael went to prison.

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★ Dale(USA)

★ Dale