The Tale of the Dale (Revisited): RCR Stories

[@theloseph]

This will be the forth time I've listen to the Tale of the Dale.

[@theloseph]

@@fezcarstuff5851 ha yeah I was half asleep with that one.

[@yammmit]

fourth*

[@TheMattc999]

@Krow Strife cool, so I take it it's worth listening to.

[@theloseph]

@@TheMattc999 yes

[@SHITLOADofMONKEYS]

gotta bump that up those are rookie numbers

[@anonecki]

It looks like something a nine-year-old would make in Automation

[@digitalrailroader]

And even then, there isn’t a three wheel chassis option in Automation.

[@luna454BB]

Rip instagram automation accounts

[@sunder6745]

It looks far better than most Instagram Automation creations, and this is worrying

[@chachachaudhary391]

Not really. You’ll have to wait for them to know about cars first, then they’ll REALLY know what to do.

[@DIYTFY]

Highly unlikely.

[@12ealDealOfficial]

"The Dealio with the Elio: RCR Stories" when?

[@Hymnalysis]

Yes, please!

[@dylanmontgomery3695]

Seriously! 65,000 reserves to buy one of their cars, which was set to release in 2012. And at this point, the car looks very outdated. I read an article from 2018 that said it was set to release in 2019, but this year is coming to a close very quickly.

[@aaronseverydayprojects5040]

I had just scrolled down to make an “Elio” comment lol!

[@CasualGearheads]

As long as it comes with an Aptera addendum. (They're ressurecting it.)

[@guenthersteiner8163]

Dylan Montgomery How can they still be in business at this point. Over a decade of development and still no products

[@Padgriffin]

Dude, you need to tell more stories. This is awesome.

[@mitchellbenbrook2041]

Sit me down and tell me about the BOER WAR

[@largeboseheadphone6494]

⁠@@mitchellbenbrook2041 tell me about inDIa

[@mattkaustickomments]

I first saw the Dale / Liz Carmichael case on Unsolved Mysteries years ago, like in 1989. Totally blew my mind! No one believes me when I bring up the Dale story, because it sounds too ridiculous to be true.

[@DurradonXylles]

Honestly, it sounds like the plot to an Oliver Stone docudrama, weird trimmings and all.

[@mattkaustickomments]

DurradonXylles except JFK is waaay less believable.

[@catlovermarty]

Back when the hype of the Dale was happening, Motor Trend had a big article about Liz, probably in 1973. I was 11, but remember reading the story, thinking it was a scam and that part of the the scam was the cross-dressing. It was just the beginning. Little did anyone know at the time what a mess this would become.

[@jamiee9257]

The person that portrayed Liz on Unsolved Mysteries cracked me up.

[@mattkaustickomments]

Jamie E oh man, I don’t think I’ve seen it since 1st run. Will have to go look it up now!!

[@themirrorsofmymind]

This is a very witty and interesting video. I was watching a "60 Minutes" piece about how Elizabeth Holmes conned 10 billion dollars out of investors with her fake invention "Theranos". It got me thing about that woman from _Unsolved Mysteries_ (whose name I couldn't recall) who conned millions out of investors with a "car" (whose name I also couldn't recall). Now that I know they were both named "Elizabeth" I kind of wonder if Holmes ever heard of Carmichael while growing up? "Land Yachts." *I LOVE THAT!* 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@1337penguinman]

Makes John Delorean look like a Boy Scout. At least he actually made a (mostly) working car. Also makes me wonder if this was the basis for the South Park Jennifer Lopez/Mitch Conner thing.

[@ZGryphon]

De Lorean at least had a long and mostly successful career as an executive at GM before he went and tried to Reinvent the Industry. His company's failure had more to do with overreach and wishful thinking than deliberate fraud (although it's arguable that he eventually slid _into_ deliberate fraud as the company's fortunes spiraled downward, in his increasing desperation to keep the train rolling).

[@mattcroshaw6915]

Very informative about the story of The Dale. Rich in information on the technical specs related to it. Which I was glad to learn. I first heard of the Dale on a segment on the show The White Rabbit Project which was hosted by the trio of Myth Busters alumni Kari Byron, Grant Imahara and Tori Belleci. The segment was presented by Grant Imahara. It was more flashy than yours but it was extremely concise. So I really appreciate that you presented so much meaty technical information about the Dale. Please keep making videos. This was extremely well done.

[@lontus-racref]

Can verify that Speedway Motors in Lincoln, NE has a Dale.

[@Cheeseburger.Launch.Sequence]

The wooden one?

[@Finallybianca]

@@Cheeseburger.Launch.Sequence no actually its the fiberglass one, Bill got it from George Barris.

[@wifelikecow]

So jealous I didn't get to see it the one time I visited.

[@octaviocuesta1155]

I don't understand why people aren't satisfied with a Reliant Robin

[@pakruojezieds]

Maybe because it's as unstable as a cow on a bar stool.

[@mustberice]

Mainly the flipping floppy rolls it does ant any speed

[@CounterClaws]

The reliant robin in that top gear episode was modified so it would tip over easy. Jeremy admitted to it.

[@rufusconnolly8489]

Having the single wheel in the front of the vehicle is perilous.

[@MegaAwesomedude234]

@@rufusconnolly8489 It's actually not. The reliant robin was designed to flip, there's plenty of Goldwing and Harley trikes with the wheels in back, and reverse trikes (now with leaning tech) would make one easily doable. Plenty of trikes exist, there's plenty of room for one to be made. The US doesn't like small cars, is the problem

[@redchris97]

Just waiting on the news when Elio motors crap hits the fan, and when that happens I will be waiting for RCR to drop a juicy upload.

[@impulseimageworks6477]

Was *not* expecting a Dale redux this morning, but damn if I'm not glad to have it. Great video, Roman - I love your long-form narrations.

[@OfficialDJSoru]

That pic where Carmichael is with her hands wide open? That face just screams Amy's Baking Company

[@lewishancock3526]

I got that reference.

[@Finallybianca]

Gordon has left the building

[@MichaelD8393]

I downloaded the original cut of "The Tale of The Dale" and this just added to the story as you intended Roman. Nicely done as always, I can’t wait for "The Dealio With the Elio."

[@daleyoung87]

Back in 2001 I designed a three-wheel motorcycle. I vaguely remember my dad saying something about a vehicle from the past called a "Dale". A three-way motorcycle called a T-Rex appeared and I halted my plans. BTW, My name is Dale.

[@catchmg1950]

The original Dale Clift car has been found and is now on exibit in the Peterson museum next to their Dale. It also included another of Clift's invention, the Go Ped. A small motor unit that could be hooked onto a bicycle. The original Dale is actually a ver interesting car. I have no doubt it could easily get back on the road today. Structurally, the original Dale is significantly better than the flimsy fiberglass Dale that Carmichael produced.

[@tatwood93]

Wow, I had seen the old video, but this new information is really interesting. Allow me to reference one Alan Jackson's song "Where I Come From," a track riddled with controversy in online lyric boards and song reviews. One notable line mentions our protagonist losing a universal joint near Ventura. While hitchhiking, a tall lady stops and asks if he has plans for dinner, to which Alan replies no thanks ma'am. For years, nobody has been able to crack this lyric, but I think it may just be a subtle reference to Dale Clifft's encounter with Liz Carmichael, with the narrator politely escaping the financial scams that Carmichael had in mind.

[@Gettenhart]

I wish RCR car stories happened more often. I really enjoy them

[@Count_Smackula]

The story is so fascinating, I never skip the opportunity to list to any new retelling.

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

Interesting car story I knew nothing about! Thanks for you research and for posting!

[@quailman8760]

Great story telling! Now I’m going to watch “The lady and Dale” on HBO

[@ICrane88]

This was definitely one of my favorite Unsolved Mysteries segments you did a great job covering this

[@mougmeduro7017]

Ooh goodie! A bedtime story!...

[@akihiko4036]

Give this car a Scoug Dore

[@200PercentRad]

RCR Stories is one of my favorite series on this channel. Absolutely fantastic job with this updated tale of the dale.

[@adinsx144]

I loved the original Tale of the Dale and this one was even better! You guys should come to Lincoln and check out the museum! It's owned by the same guy who owns Speedway Motors, which I believed supplied some parts to the Vagabond Falcon.

[@nena_nezali]

Got real down the rabbit hole vibes from this. Good shit

[@GoredonTheDestroyer]

Regular Car Reviews: The official channel of having equal parts insightful documentaries on car culture, the people behind them and the misgivings inherent to the automotive industry and the phrase, "Hot Dicks", repeated ad nausea to the backdrop of a mid-90s Toyota.

[@elephantsintheforest]

Some striking similarities to the story of Theranos.

[@ExtraKawaii]

I listen to these when i cant sleep c: thanks roman.

[@Aschmorr]

Dr. Snuggles he’s got a smooth jazz radio voice

[@IStarryZz]

Dude same. I've probably heard the history of Pontiac like 5 times

[@zacoutant]

Love these RCR stories! Just cranked out a lab report for my micro-fabrication class with this insane story in the background

[@michaelfritts9839]

I missed this the first time. Thanks for giving me another chance to check it out. great job!

[@nattiedraws]

ya really should do more stories, this was incredible. I expected a typical scam story but this just kept being so very fascinating with each new turn. Very entertaining story! I really did not expect each turn, this was very well made!

[@scofab]

Wow... this was a new one for me. Fascinating and thank you.

[@voidhead78]

I heard of this story before but I got to say nice job on giving it this light, that is some crazy stuff by some intresting people!

[@crustycurmudgeon2182]

Masterpiece story-telling. Loved it.

[@69Misterpickles]

This was the best thing I’ve seen since “Chernobyl” and I’m not kidding.

[@threeparots1]

Just as enjoyable as first time around. Thank you for the update and good telling of this extraordinary tale. So many layers of wierdness

[@TweetFPV]

What a incredible story, thank you for all you do. This is excellent!

[@doofino]

Yep, I was waiting for you to reference the elio.

[@matmoome]

If only people weren't so harsh on the Tucker and a little bit more suspicious of the Dale.

[@dr.danchallice3888]

It is said that GM named the Trans Am in honor of Carmichael.

[@definitelynotpewdiepie]

Aw, you took out the quote where the sherrif said she took pills that could "put tits on boar." That was the best part!

[@fitz12]

The Roman's beautiful voice to send me to sleep.

[@Muserschmitt]

He doesn't speak up as to not disturb his neighbors, a true gentleman.

[@nitehawk86]

Except that the topic is far too interesting to fall asleep to.

[@ZGryphon]

It's always refreshing to hear about someone who makes Malcolm Bricklin come across as a Legitimate Businessman. I mean, he at least _tried_ to build actual cars. More or less.

[@A_Wild_Yeengirl]

I'm really glad you changed your language surrounding Liz Carmichael to be more about how she was a con woman and less about invalidating her gender. I really do appreciate that, even if a lot of other people don't.

[@herbiehusker1889]

*conman

[@skinnyboii1619]

@@herbiehusker1889 shut up transphobe

[@herbiehusker1889]

@@skinnyboii1619 your Marxist BS doesn't work.

[@markloren2133]

I'm not big on flea markets, but About 12 years ago, I saw a set of plans/drawings for the Dale,. about 2inches thick and un bound, Price, 25 $ I had not enough to get it. Somewhere in north Georgia someone has a great find. for me, it was the one that got away.

[@meatbeansandcheese]

Dale leveraged his future on a 3 wheel vehicle and in the end he defended his honor with a 3 legged easel. Seems as if old habits die hard.

[@luna454BB]

I am so glad this is back up, such an interesting tale of the automotive world!

[@doooley]

I came back to watch this again after watching The Lady and the Dale

[@honkytonkinson9787]

When I was a kid in the 80s there was one of these things parked at a major intersection in front of a shopping center. No one I knew knew anything about the car. It wouldn’t be until years later that KZbin was able to explain what these things were Or maybe I only saw something that looked like the Dale. It was yellow with 2 wheels in the front and one in the back. I lived in Missouri so this was not the parked prototype

[@connorbonstein4048]

Holy shit how had I never heard of this? Absolute insanity and great story telling

[@craigstrunk4575]

Such great story telling. I love this channel!

[@Megabob777]

This has to be one of the best stories ever told

[@nimeshchokshi1921]

You should do a video on Jean Bugatti. He was in his 20s when he designed cars like the Bugatti Type 55 and Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic. Sadly, he died at age 30 in 1939.

[@thomas_2285]

The 1970's was such a weird, awful time in history. It's amazing how much the oil embargo affected everything for such a long time. I want to learn more about it because I think it's relevant to what's going on today with various other things. Hopefully history doesn't repeat itself.

[@chrislemaster2695]

This was aired on Unsolved Mysteries in 1989.

[@timothycoyne5874]

Thanks for a great story. I’d never heard of the Dale. I’m glad now I have, and know its wacky history, too.

[@OptimisticPessimist]

I never actually listened to the first version of this video, but I’m glad to have heard it now!

[@locomotivebreath9364]

Ooooh, man! I was wondering why do you guys deleted this one from your channel. Thank you for uploading!

[@Wombats-1]

How incredible the episode of shark tank woulda been, imagine her trying to sell all those broken dreams to the sharks.

[@angryshoebox]

How about H-M Vehicles’ Free-way, another 3-wheeler with high mpg claims? The Free-way did get produced though. Some people bought them. 700 built from 1979 to ‘82.

[@lane6542]

Holy shit, this video is so much better than the original.

[@yodazjockstrap2767]

Yeeeeeees , long long time watcher and I swear this was good the first time around and of course I'd like seconds

[@TheKaisarwilhelm]

I HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE JUNE FOR THIS! THANK YOU ROMAN! Sorry for the all-caps, but I am THAT excited.

[@jameswiz]

I would just like to jump in and say something. The parts when talking about the AC and 20amps... There are TONS of PCB's that can support well over 20amps, and they existed even back then. Also, there are AC/Heater units that don't work off pressure differential. Peltier also knows as TEC or Thermoelectric Coolers work my moving electrons though metal. I don't understand the physics of how they work, but I know they can get cold enough to make ICE on themselves. Well, Atleast 1 side of the plate. The trade off is that the other side of the plate gets extremely hot. This type of system would make perfect sense for a Heating/Cooling solution in a small car assuming you could find a way to dissipate the heat outside of the car when using the AC, and dissipate the Cold outside the car when using the heat. Small versions of these units are sold for PC Processor cooling as well as some 12v Cigarette Lighter port powered coolers run off systems like these. I've personally experimented with making my own cold plate for making icecream using a plate of stainless steel lined with TEC coolers on the otherside, using waterblocks, a large pump and 2 480mm PC Radiators w/ fans to dissipate the heat. it worked. The downfall of these systems is that they require a TON of power to run. So they aren't the most efficient method of making this stuff happen. I can see these coolers working as a setup for AC in a car, and using my waterblock method, along with an upgraded 200amp alternator could probably work to make a decent "aftermarket" cooling system, with some holes for cooling tubes to go thru the cabin into the extra radiators mounted outside.. Much like the current AC systems do using the Evaporator to cool the cabin air and the condenser to cool the Freon after its compressed.

[@Miata822]

I just now saw this through a link on Reddit, the Elio subreddit. I used to follow Regular Cars, well, regularly, but I drifted away after it seemed to develop a sameness that was uninspired and frankly not entertaining. This episode changes that. This post, it's presentation, it's research, the thoughtful handling of a complex story, sheer genius. Call it "deep dive" or "investigative," whatever. This is the kind of nuanced thoughtful reporting this world needs more of today. Sure, it is an entertaining story, but the way it is handled and the level of detail in the background... RCR here is punching far above its weight. With slightly less clipart it could be on 60 Minutes back when 60 Minutes was good. I came here expecting Elio. What I found was Tesla, and a story I thought I knew that turned out to be so much more.

[@asyourgm]

I've been to the Museum of American Speed, but don't recall seeing the Dale there, though they tend to rotate exhibits on a regular basis as many museums tend to do.

[@Finallybianca]

It was warehoused for decades and was on a rack on the distribution centers racks.

[@thestarlightalchemist7333]

I almost want to start a company that becomes what the Dale and 20th Century wanted to be. Producing motorcycle-powered gas sippers. Not sure if it would be successful, but it's worth a try. Edit: oh wait, the Elio exists...

[@TheSlipperyBrick]

Roman is an excellent story teller.

[@danevans3333]

Isn't the Elio a car they had on early top gear once? Apparently it was really good fun to drive and even Clarkson loved it.

[@mattcroshaw6915]

Also, I wanted to mention that I happened upon your video because far too much about the Elio car sounded frighteningly like the Dale.

[@Rune3D]

Why do I get the feeling this whole story should have been a Martin Scorsese film?

[@starvalkyrie]

How many of histories disasters had someone who knew better sounding alarms and being ignored?

[@ZGryphon]

Pretty much all of them. The classical Greeks had an allegory about that exact thing for a reason...

[@71MercuryCoupe]

You should do a detailed vid like this on the tucker

[@thatruinedmedia6625]

this is fucking nuts. I've heard about the Dale story in a few books, but never in this detail. Everything just got more and more messed up as time went on. So crazy.

[@scatered1]

I didnt watch the entirety of the original so hey I'm all for this

[@goodial]

a really interesting video, thank you for creating it! Unfortunately, there is now another three wheeled project that seems to be a scam: The estonian Nobe GT100. This one at least had a really cool retro design, which makes it even sadder that it didn't succeed ...

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

You need to fly back over to the U.K. and do a review of a reliant robin. They were an 800kg-ish three wheeler that existed mainly because people could drive them on their motorbike licenses. As soon as the EU made us close that loophole, and the generation that grew up when learning to ride and owning a motorbike was actually cheaper than learning in a car, the company died.

[@fixman88]

There was actually a four-wheeled version of the Reliant Robin called the Reliant Kitten (yes really).

[@rcfp2006]

Please do one on Vector.

[@mattmayo3539]

Came here after watching “The Lady and the Dale”. What a life!

[@montesaatchi5874]

Nicely written and orated Mr. Roman. I've enjoyed your stories in the past and hope for more. Perhaps the best contributors to KZbin are those with stories to tell; first hand and historical. Hey! put more time into your rcr intros, add more fullness to your comic musical sketches horns, strings, percussion, thicker harmony ..you gotta band dontcha? like get them playing .for a fun change from the singer/songwriter style strumming. RCR's awesome! love you both!

[@DiamondHell]

I see Motor Trend have been taking notes and now produced a lightweight version of your great piece here.

[@bobwalsh3751]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH a whale of a tale is the Tale of the Dale!

[@DeltaOps3]

Ellio motors! We talked about that at work IN 2009 and we were waiting for it. My dad even convinced my brother he should get one. But its never gonna come out

[@mashinglesboutons6220]

Fascinating story, just surreal.

[@mattkaustickomments]

Came for the Dale, subscribed for the jokes & snarky asides. Edit: oops I’m already subscribed. But would subscribe twice if I could!

[@barovelli]

What about a story on the Corbin Nose . . er Sparrow, another 3 wheeler. Since they were somewhat local, I seen them all the time. Then they vanished.

[@keith_5584]

Painful story, but glad you told it to us.

[@peter2945]

Not sure it has been said on this comment section before, but Buckminster Fuller invented the 3 wheel vehicle with incredible gas mileage called the Dymaxion.

[@wicko3294]

you could make this story into a movie

[@iron1349]

we stan a queen?

[@nobecarsinvestigation]

Nobe Cars investors can learn something from this story.

[@jordanm2984]

This was incredibly interesting! I never knew about this

[@zacharyhassan6352]

When are we going to get a Dale movie! Stranger than fiction!

[@ronaldschild157]

It's coming to HBO in a day or two, as of this writing. The HBO promo spots led me to this video. I vaguely recall seeing it on "The Price Is Right" showcase back in the day. It appeared at least twice on that game show - the first time the contestant lost the bid.

[@beitgorski7296]

The HBO docu-series is excellent, strong recommend!

[@jseden]

Its like a Kickstarter scam before the internet

[@areasevenpro]

RCR Did It for Dale.

[@mondomoleno.3404]

The Dale is such a fascinating story. It has a bit of everything that would make a great drama film: Idealism, exploitation, a charismatic figure, murder, scandal, shady characters, and the whole part with transgender rights would be a strangely modern twist on something based on a true story from the 60s and 70s.

[@EpicB]

A Liz Carmichael biopic could totally work.

[@beitgorski7296]

Check out the 4-part series on HBO “The Lady and the Dale”

[@75aces97]

I first read about Liz Carmichael and the Dale around 1989 in Car & Driver. I can't remember whether first story was before or after Unsolved Mysteries. It was always fascinating. Does anybody else think this should be a Paul Thomas Anderson movie?

[@shoobaru_wrx2974]

I can’t believe I watched this all the way through.

[@vincedenais2612]

My Dad named Dale was a NASA engineer in the 60s. The “Lady and the Dale” HBO presentation showed him as Liz’s husband using NASA footage. CRAZY