“Carmichael’s California house of cards stood for nine months…”

-Steven Cole Smith for CAR and DRIVER Magazine, October 1990

June 1974 – Feb. 1975

• 1973 – Summer 1974

  “In 1973, defendant Carmichael, along with Comstock and Schlisman, was employed at U.S. Marketing Institute, Inc., a marketing development company in Encino.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

• June 1974

  “A mutual acquaintance introduced (Dale) Clifft to Carmichael in June of 1974. Shortly thereafter, Clifft entered into an agreement with Carmichael whereby Carmichael obtained the right to the “commutercycle” in exchange for a promise of royalties and a payment of $4,000. The total amount Clifft ever received was $1,001.00.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

  “Defendant Comstock joined defendant Carmichael in the venture in June of 1974, and assisted in forming Twentieth Century. He became the vice president in charge of sales.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

• July 1974

• August 1974

  “At the heart of the scheme was the Twentieth Century Motor Car Corporation (Twentieth Century), a Nevada corporation formed in August of 1974 by defendant Carmichael, who assumed the role of president, and defendants Schlisman and Comstock, each of whom assumed a position as vice president. Twentieth Century was never qualified to issue or sell stock in California.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

  “The first objective sign of activity by Twentieth Century was in August of 1974, when a 7,200 sq. ft. office space in Encino was leased for $5,000 per month.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

  “Defendant Farrell had no connection with any of the other defendants until he went to work for Twentieth Century in August of 1974. He was given various titles of “Expeditor,” “Director of Acquisitions,” and “General Manager.” At some point he became a vice president.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

  “During August and September of 1974, various employment opportunity ads appeared in the Los Angeles Times and the Valley News and Green Sheet. Some of these ads indicated an investment of $1,500 to $2,000 would be required. A number of persons who responded to the ads were hired.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

• September 1974

  “In September of 1974, a 15,000 sq. ft. industrial building in Canoga Park was leased for $1,500 per month…designated as a research and development laboratory.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

  “Defendant Schlisman was one of the original incorporators of Twentieth Century. He began work with the organization in September of 1974. He assumed the position of a vice president and was apparently assigned the role of establishing dealerships.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

  “It was an organization which, in spite of these deficiencies and in the face of two Desist and Refrain Orders in September and December 1974 by the California Corporations Commissioner, continued to solicit and collect money from unsuspecting investors.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

• October 1974

  “Another employee…testified that in October of 1974, Comstock asked her to work for stock rather than a salary for a couple months. This secretary testified to a conversation with Comstock in which they discussed the financial situation at Twentieth Century. Comstock stated that a favorable article in Dun & Bradstreet was occasioned by his bribing the Dun & Bradstreet reporter with a car.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

• November 1974

  Massive marketing campaign gains momentum

• December 1974

  “In December of 1974, two large hangars and other property at the Burbank Airport were leased for $13,700 per month…and apparently the facilities at the airport were to be used to house an assembly line.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

  “It was an organization which, in spite of these deficiencies and in the face of two Desist and Refrain Orders in September and December 1974 by the California Corporations Commissioner, continued to solicit and collect money from unsuspecting investors.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

  Mid-December: Reporter Dick Carlson and producer Pete Noyes from KABC Los Angeles learn about TCMCC and Liz Carmichael

  “During the end of 1974, and early in 1975, Twentieth Century opened corporate offices in Dallas, Texas.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

  December 31st: Failed first test drive in front of Japanese investors where the intent was to secure a $30 million dollar investment.

• January 1975

  January 1st, KABC Los Angeles begins the first of what would be 27 reports on TCMCC and Liz Carmichael. Later in 1975, reporter Dick Carlson and producer Pete Noyes would be awarded the prestigious Peabody Award for their coverage.

  January 22nd:

  • (Midmorning) Anonymous call made to California Corporations Department, saying that “Carmichael had tired of the Department’s ‘harrassment’, and had decided to cancel the investigation -and the investigator – by hiring a hit man”. – Motor Trend Magazine, July 1975
  • (Late morning) Carmichael family leaves Los Angeles for new home in Dallas, Texas
  • (Midday) Liz unexpectedly leaves on flight to Dallas, Texas and arrives in Dallas to the surprise of her family
  • (Early afternoon) TCMCC employee William D. Miller is murdered by co-worker Jack O’Northern Oliver

  January 25th-February 2nd: The Dale is showcased at the 1975 Los Angeles Auto Show

• February 1975

  “In February of 1975, the State of Texas placed Twentieth Century in the hands of a receiver. Defendant Carmichael departed the scene and was arrested several months later by federal agents in Florida.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

  “In February of 1975, after the departure of Carmichael, (defendant Farrell) was elected acting president.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

• June 1975

  “The representations portrayed a grandiose plan to mass produce the “Dale” commencing with the production of 500 cars in June of 1975, with production increasing to 5,000 cars per month in September 1975, and a total of 88,000 cars in the first year. Distribution was to be accomplished through 1,100 dealerships nationwide.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

  “By June of 1975, the target date for the first five hundred production models, Twentieth Century had neither the tooling nor the equipment for assembly line production. Nor did it have sufficient capital to acquire the necessary machinery. More importantly, Twentieth Century did not have an operating model that would even approach the capabilities ascribed to the car and apparently had no employee or staff member capable of designing one.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980

  “Defendant Carmichael was arraigned on June 3, 1975.” – Caselaw, People v. Carmichael, 1980