PastImperfect:the strange story of the Dale
The history of motor fraud is littered with strange tales, but perhaps none is more bizarre than the story of the Dale and its originator, Mrs Geraldine 'Liz' Carmichael. She first made headlines in November 1974 when she circulated a press release to American car publications announcing the forthcoming production of the "revolutionary Dale car" - a two-seater lightweight three-wheeler promising to do 70 miles to the gallon and to sell for less than $2,000. Mrs Carmichael, president of the Twentieth Century Motor Car Company of Encino, California, claimed the car, a unique wedge-shaped design, would be constructed from "rocket structural resin" - whatever that is - and would be "stronger than steel".
The magazines were sceptical but reserved judgment until they had a chance to road test the promised prototype. Liz Carmichael, however, had undeniable presence and portrayed herself as a 37-year-old widow with five children.
Twentieth Century began taking deposits even though a prototype had yet to run. Eventually, a prototype appeared and gained widespread publicity for Twentieth Century. However, when things seemed to be moving forward, California's Department of Corporations issued an order preventing the company from selling further stock without a permit. At the same time the Department of Motor Vehicles announced that it was investigating the firm for selling dealerships and cars without a manufacturer's licence.
Then Twentieth Century PR man William Miller was found shot dead and the chief suspect turned out to be another employee, Jack Oliver. Carmichael moved the company HQ to Dallas, but on February 4th, 1975, the Dallas Police filed civil charges against Twentieth Century and an injunction was issued against the sale of Dale cars and a receiver appointed to seize the company's records and assets. The following day charges were filed against Carmichael and nine other employees for attempting to commit grand larceny.
Now the tale becomes truly bizarre, for when police arrived at Carmichael's home to take her into custody, they found she had fled, but instead found numerous wigs and false breasts. 'Liz' Carmichael turned out to be a 45-year-old man named Jerry Dean Michael, who had been a fugitive from the FBI since 1962 when he jumped bail on a counterfeit charge.
Jerry/Liz was arrested on April 12th, 1975, in Miami, Florida and went to trial late in 1976. Eventually he and five co-defendants were found guilty on 137 of 155 charges.