Let’s talk about The Dale

[Guardian]

I don’t see much talk on here about this case, probably because it is solved and it is a fraud case (I generally find fraud cases to be among my least favorites personally), but I just saw this one on Amazon while rewatching.

As I understand it, only two prototypes of the Dale were produced (at least to near completion) and of those two, only one was able to run. I am curious if the technical specs that the Dale was reported to have were in fact correct in any way. I realize that a fiberglass car will not take the damage that the Dale was supposed to be able to withstand, but I mean the gas mileage and so on. Was there ANY truth to this story at all?

[Todd Mueller]

In short, no.

This was never a viable project and it was a scam from the start. While some of the engineers claimed to “believe in the car”, it was not based on science and would never work as advertised.

You can search for it on Google and there are lots of articles about it and the fraud it was.

[Chichester Crowe]

Tesla Motors is running a similar Ponzi Scheme today.
Basic math exposes an unfortunate truth: there isn't enough Lithium on the planet to make their EVs a viable reality on a wide scale.

[drew790]

Originally Posted by Chichester Crowe

Tesla Motors is running a similar Ponzi Scheme today.
Basic math exposes an unfortunate truth: there isn't enough Lithium on the planet to make their EVs a viable reality on a wide scale.

But I want a flame thrower

[Labonte18]

Originally Posted by Todd Mueller

In short, no.

This was never a viable project and it was a scam from the start. While some of the engineers claimed to “believe in the car”, it was not based on science and would never work as advertised.

You can search for it on Google and there are lots of articles about it and the fraud it was.

I wondered this, too, because the engineers didn't seem to be idiots.. So.. My question on it was the one they interviewed.. I think it was Dale Clifft? Was he in on the scam, or was he just.. A high functioning idiot?

Yes, I'm being a bit mean about that because I've kinda convinced myself that he was in on it, but Carmichael scammed him, too. Scammer scammed the scammer?

But.. If I relax just a bit and think about it.. Sometimes the engineers or people who come up with the ideas put on blinders and just believe in their ideas so much that they can't see the issues with it, and that's a possibility of what happened with him.

[Chichester Crowe]

Originally Posted by drew790

But I want a flame thrower

Well at least that seems legit. As far as I can tell Space X is legit, too (Though I haven't done any diligence on it).

Tesla Motors is a scam IMO.

[Chichester Crowe]

Originally Posted by Labonte18

I wondered this, too, because the engineers didn't seem to be idiots.. So.. My question on it was the one they interviewed.. I think it was Dale Clifft? Was he in on the scam, or was he just.. A high functioning idiot?

Yes, I'm being a bit mean about that because I've kinda convinced myself that he was in on it, but Carmichael scammed him, too. Scammer scammed the scammer?

But.. If I relax just a bit and think about it.. Sometimes the engineers or people who come up with the ideas put on blinders and just believe in their ideas so much that they can't see the issues with it, and that's a possibility of what happened with him.

Sociopath "Cult of Personality" types have that magic touch. They can seemingly convince anyone of anything, mostly by preying on human weaknesses.

[Guardian]

Most of what I have read online about this, and I’ll admit that I haven’t gone down the rabbit hole on it at all, says the entire thing was a scam and notes the “prototype” that was found was not functional. This seems to be the same version noted in UM. However, a couple of sources, including Wikipedia (which is the word of God of course lol) state that there were two prototypes that were made that looked complete on the outside and of those one would actually “run” and function in some capacity as a working car. Apparently a rebuilt/repurposed motorcycle engine was what it used, but the info I found stops short of saying if this was merely to have a working model or if the super qualities the Dale was supposed to have were due to this rebuilt engine (hopefully I’m making sense here).

[Chichester Crowe]

Originally Posted by Guardian

Most of what I have read online about this, and I’ll admit that I haven’t gone down the rabbit hole on it at all, says the entire thing was a scam and notes the “prototype” that was found was not functional. This seems to be the same version noted in UM. However, a couple of sources, including Wikipedia (which is the word of God of course lol) state that there were two prototypes that were made that looked complete on the outside and of those one would actually “run” and function in some capacity as a working car. Apparently a rebuilt/repurposed motorcycle engine was what it used, but the info I found stops short of saying if this was merely to have a working model or if the super qualities the Dale was supposed to have were due to this rebuilt engine (hopefully I’m making sense here).

You could try contacting the Museum of American Speed in Lincoln, NE.
It appears as though they have a replica or one of the original prototypes.
They too write about a working prototype on their webpage. I'm not sure who else would have accurate info on this. Perhaps, Liz Carmichael? LOL.

[DazzlerSparkler]

I still don't get how nobody knew Liz was male....

[rusty spike]

Liz had charisma. She obviously made a lasting impression.

[bell83]

Hot take: Liz made a real car that did everything that was promised, but "They" wouldn't let it get out, so they killed it. The ACTUAL Dale is currently at Area 51. George H.W. Bush, being the head of the CIA, personally drove it there. The only gas that was in it was in the fuel filter, and it's STILL got some in it. It's currently parked next to a functioning water engine and Bob Lazar's UFO.

The truth is out there...

[Mike82]

Originally Posted by Labonte18

But.. If I relax just a bit and think about it.. Sometimes the engineers or people who come up with the ideas put on blinders and just believe in their ideas so much that they can't see the issues with it, and that's a possibility of what happened with him.

I originally thought that since Engineers are so intelligent, if they say it's a real car I have to trust them. This is further compounded by the fact that cars aren't nearly as efficient as they could be and it's absurd how we are still using such outdated technology but I won't get into that conspiracy.

Now, as an adult with an Engineer brother and knowing many Professional Engineers, they can be some of the most blind and naive people around. As an example, my brother was once in an advanced engineering class: they had to work on a major group project that was the magnus opus of their schooling, spent literal months on it day and night..... and there was a major typo on the front cover.

[Labonte18]

Originally Posted by Mike82

Now, as an adult with an Engineer brother and knowing many Professional Engineers, they can be some of the most blind and naive people around. As an example, my brother was once in an advanced engineering class: they had to work on a major group project that was the magnus opus of their schooling, spent literal months on it day and night..... and there was a major typo on the front cover.

[sharonite]

One thing that always stood out to me about this segment was that its treatment of Liz Carmichael’s gender identity was surprisingly sensitive for its time (use of female pronouns, no transphobic remarks, etc.). I do believe her transition was genuine, even if her business plan wasn’t.