Dale (United States) - AllCarIndex

Dale was a short-lived automobile brand that operated from 1974 to 1975, founded by Elizabeth Carmichael under the company Twentieth Century Motorcar, based in Los Angeles, California, and later in Dallas, Texas. The brand aimed to introduce a revolutionary 3-wheeled fiberglass coupe, which Carmichael claimed would surpass the sales of major American automakers, predicting annual sales of three million units.

The Dale was marketed with ambitious slogans, such as "Dollar for Dollar, the Best Car Ever Built" and "The First Space Age Automobile." The promotional materials suggested that the tri-wheel design would transform the automotive industry, asserting that this innovative approach would set the standard for future vehicle designs. However, despite the grand claims, only a single prototype was ever constructed. This prototype was powered by an 850cc two-cylinder Onan engine, typically used for electric generators, and was reported to be barely functional.

The Dale prototype later reappeared in Dallas under the name Revette. In a surprising turn of events, it was revealed that Elizabeth Carmichael was actually Jerry Dean Michael, a man who faced legal troubles and was ultimately convicted of fraud in 1989 after years of evading authorities. The Dale remains a notable example of automotive ambition that did not materialize into a successful production vehicle.