Delorean Restoration

This coming Saturday my Delorean will be coming home to my garage so I can safely store her while I bring her back to running condition. A F250 Turbodiesel and a U-Haul trailer will help get her home. I will post pics of course. I am going to document every step of my work on the car.

Its funny, I have wanted one for 14 years, rode in one for the first time last month, went to DMC-FL a week ago and ended up getting a good deal on a rolling pile of Delorean parts without instructions.

Yea, the post about me chasing the dream, well, it worked out for me and now I own a 1981 DMC-12, grooved hood, grey interior, 5 speed, grey wheels. Now the task of getting it back on the road begins.

The official project name is  “Project Phoenix”

pics

“She may not look like it, but she’s got it where it counts”

I’m going to need an engine, section of the engine cradle, and some fiberglass repair, plus a frign drivers side torsion bar before she is ready to take to the streets.For those that know engines, I’m thinking SR20DET. Helluva lot cheaper than a DMC crate PRV, 1/3 the cost, and twice the power.
more pics

oh, and I can’t stop thinking…. I just bought a Delorean…this is some heavy stuff.

You may have noticed in my last post about going to DMC-FL and taking frame measurements. Why? Because I was going to buy a Delorean that needed the engine cradle replaced, just the rear portion that essential holds the rear fascia. It was a 1981, grey interior, 5 speed, dark grey wheels(incorrect for the vin) and a sub 5k VIN car( it was a high 4000 VIN). My bank denied my loan, my friend couldn’t help me because he was, ironicly just let go from his job that day, and my other friends mom had a mental fit. Sure, I’m holding $1500 in my hands right now, and all I needed was $3500 for the complete car. Heck, the torsion bar is worth $1k and the hood alone could bring in close to $1500 with the right buyer.

This car was mint, forward of the engine compartment, frikn mint! only 20k on the odometer( the angle drive could have broken at some point though). No frame rust, no dings, no dents, no scratches. The interior was complete, just not all put together. The only stainless panel that would need replacing or work was the right rear quarter panel. It was destroyed in the accident and replaced with a panel off the “Fast and the Furious” Delorean that we all make fun of on DMCTalk.com.

So, there you have it, I almost lived the dream but the dream escaped me. It is not my time yet and the right car has not found me. It shall be said, When the time comes, I will know.

Chalk this up to my first one that got away from me, probably many more to come and go before I find one. I want to say my $280 that went to the Delorean Owners Association was a waste of money, but I do have an almost complete set of Delorean World magazines now that I can read over and learn torsion bar adjustments and oil changes and door adjustments before I even get my car.

“Live the Dream”

P.S. Now I have to drive the stupid Mercedes.

My Delorean has been at DMC Florida since last week and should be finished this tomorrow. Costed a lot but i got everything i needed to get done, and got it done right. The car should be running great. I’ll report back tomorrow about what was done and how the car is running.

Will be doing the drive from Bonita Springs to Fort Lauderdale, about 125 miles.

A very large big-rig came to pick up my Delorean this afternoon to take it over to Delorean to get fixed. When the car arrived it was pouring raining. My dad, the driver and I had to push the Delorean in the rain ontop the lift then push it on the 2nd level of the truck.

deloreans looks really good when it’s pouring raining.

I should find out what needs to be done to the car sometime tommorow from Delorean.

Been out of town the last 3 weeks backpacking Asia. While I was out of town I found out my dad went to get my cars upholstery fixed which kind of scared me because I don’t like anyone driving my Delorean but me.

They couldn’t figure out how to open the bonnet and I went over there yesterday and opened it for them. The car will be ready today and I’m going to pick it up after work. I’d take some pictures but unfortunately my camera fell into the ocean on my backpacking trip but I will try to figure something out and get picks up right away.

One thing to note, the headliner boards were warped and the guy is having a problem fixing them. He is going to see what he can do but they might be warped to much to fix which means ill have to order new ones from Delorean.com

The breaks are not working as well as I’d like and will be ordering new stainless steel brake lines along with the clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder.

Found a local upholostery shop that does good work in Miami that is willing to install my DMC leather seats, replace the deloreans headliner, and re-dye the delorean’s dash for $300.00.


I will be getting it done once i get back from vacation. Once I get my work done I’ll post pictures and foward you his information if any local Delorean owners need to get some upholstery work done.

Ordered lots of stuff from Delorean.com including new leather seats, bulbs, leds, identification labels, and some other misc stuff to restore the Delorean.

The Delorean is running great and is so much fun to drive. Can’t wait to get the new seats in, fix headliner, and install the other Delorean parts.

A week after I got the car I made a Delorean maintenance sheet of things i wanted to replace. Here is the updated version of that sheet.

Engine

• Bosch Spark Plugs + Wires
• Change Oil
  • Castrol GTX 20w50
  • Purflux Oil Filter
• Fix Oil Leak
• Replace/Bleed All Other Fluids

Brakes

• Front and Rear Brake Pads
• Bleed Brake Lines
• Inspect Rotors, Calipers, and Brake Lines

Electrical

• Relay Kit + Fuses
• Fix Headlights (ordering parts today)
• Fix Taillights (ordering parts today)

Air Conditioner

• Fix A/C  (fixed belt, still needs freon)

So far I’ve also replaced all the Delorean belts, and replaced the Delorean clutch line with a braided steel clutch line from SpecialTAuto.com. I’m going to order new lightbulbs for every bulb in the car and a couple packs of new screws. Here is my new Delorean maintenance plan.

• Replace All Bulbs
• Fix light in Instrument panel
• Replace delorean’s leather seats
• Replace Delorean’s headliner
• Fix Delorean’s eyebrows
• Paint Bumpers + all flat black items
• Add Freon To A/C

The first thing I want to get started on in my Delorean Restoration is fixing the headliner. I think it’s a little warped and I’m not sure if it can be fixed easily. Currently it’s the biggest eyesore especially since when the door opens everyone can see the headliner.