General Delorean

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.

Today I “chilled” with my friend Elliot Hansen, FL’s Delorean Owner Association Chapter Director. Later in the night after an hour of Rock Band and Guitar Hero he said, “Come with me”, and we went to the garage. We got in the Delorean and set out for a ride. I’ve ridden in Corvettes, Ferrari’s, Mercedes Benz’s and the lot but nothing is like a Delorean. His car has the Eibach suspension on it so it rides like its on rails, which allows the driver to really thrash the car around, if you know what I mean.

While out cruising I spotted a Lamborghini going the opposite direction, it was dark out( 10:10 pm) and couldn’t tell which model, but it was newer model. Immediately Elliot turns into the nearest spot to turn around and whips the rear of the Delorean around and punches it. We catch up and just cruise in front of the Lambo, hoping for a red light. But alas, the owner of the Lambo, whose left tail light was out, turned… oh well and we continued on the cruise.

I’ve sat in Deloreans, I help work on a few, as well as drool over them and plan on owning one but never have been in one as it moves. Every Delorean I have seen was behind a rope or what have you. Ever since joining the local Delorean club (DCF) as well as a great forum I have made tons of new friends that are open to a person like me that yearns to learn about the stainless steel wonder.

A little side story.

My first Delorean spotting in the “wild” was when I was 6 or 7 while at my grandma’s house. Across the street sat a painted car with weird doors. The grill read DMC and the bumper said “Delorean.” Instantly I was hooked on this  car with weird doors. The owner of the car was in the shop and saw me on my bike( this was when it was safe to ride around, lol) and opened the door for me to look in and even let me sit in it…. I was hooked! Later that day I asked my gear head uncle about the car and he told me everything he knew about them and then we watched Back to the Future. What a day!

The second Delorean spotting was in traffic in the NYC area and I saw a Delorean with a flat on the side of the road. My step dad said, “it must stink that the owner cannot buy parts for it anymore.”

The latest Delorean spotting in the wild was just two weeks ago on my way to work. I saw a Delorean in the left lane traveling west on I-4 in Florida…. Three times in my life I have ever seen a Delorean in the wild.

I can’t wait to own a Delorean!!!

This one has class. I am a Mercedes guy, a classic Mercedes owner to boot so I have a soft spot for the three pointed star of course.

Not many do know about the Mercedes Benz CIII research vehicle which did come with gullwing doors, a wankel(rotary) engine, then a super tuned diesel and some serious aerodynamic work. Sadly, it was only a research car for Mercedes Benz and would never be produced, even though they went through four reincarnaitons of the car. Each one sporting the classic gullwing doors.

Read on here

The facts surrounding the Mercedes-Benz SLC supercar are scarce, but one thing’s for sure gull-wing doors are included. Imagine if it was also stainless steel.

Gizmodo recently published an article featuring classic pieces of artwork that have been updated.

Here is my favorite.

Does anyone know what the original name of this painting?

I contacted James Espy at Delorean about getting a new delorean. A new Delorean base price is $57,500.00. If you want all the extra bells and whistles like the high performance engine, xenon headlights, alpine stereo, gps navigation system, backup camera, be prepared to spend $72,287.25

Currently a 4 month waiting list for a new Delorean

I called Delorean and they are looking at my car and will give me an estimate later on today.

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.

Finally had time to dedicate to get the Delorean started. I had to replace the battery because it wasn’t charging anymore. I drained the battery a few times so it was probably a for the best. The tank has been empty so i filled it up. The Delorean gave me a little bit of a hard time getting it to start which i assume is the WUR. After a few minutes i got it to start and run good.

I called Delorean and scheduled to get my car towed over to them to get some much needed work done.

A short Delorean and Back to the Future delorean time machine video about the car for some TV show overseas. They talked a lot of crap about the Delorean but it is worth a watch.

I definitely want a Delorean cake for my next birthday.

[click to continue...]

Maybe it is because of the economy or maybe it is because of the Delorean attention from DCS 08 but as of today there is 16 Deloreans for sale on ebay.

Delorean prices and bids ranging from $200 to $49,880 for a 1981 Delorean with a stage II upgrade. Not a good time to consider selling your Delorean on ebay but maybe a good time to get one at a good price.

Deloreans on Ebay

Downoad DMC font