I will agree with some of that, but a lot of people's cars are works in
process. I will add another perspective, ironically using the Lamborghini
as well.
I pulled into the Luxor hotel parking lot in Las Vegas and saw about ten
Lamborghinis, a Maserati, and a couple of Vipers parked in this roped-off
section of the parking garage. At first I thought it was a little car show
to attract attention so went to check them out. Since this was near
midnight, the security guard came over and checked us out as well.
I noticed a Lamborghini Diablo that had near bald tires, faded paint, and
the front was peppered with rock chips like I have never seen on any other
car. I couldn't believe someone would be out in a car like this. Then, I
spotted a business card stuck on each car and picked one up.
This was a group of people in a Lamborghini Driving Club out of California
that take road trips in their cars. The wear and tear on the car was from
use. That changed my opinion on how that car looked and actually really
impressed me. How many people spend that kind of money on a car and really
drive it? You would expect to see a pristine Lamborghini because most, I
would think, are in someone's garage and get driven around the block every
other year. What a waste. I would drive mine.
Jay Leno once said something I thought was pretty cool. When asked about
his cars, he stated he likes to fix them up, drive them for a bit, and then
fix them up again. After all, they are cars that were designed to be
driven.
I do really enjoy seeing De Loreans that are pristine as well and I
appreciate those people keeping their cars that way. Ken's 170 mile car was
stunning to me. I would be too tempted to drive it though.
Greg
-----Original Message-----
From: Videobob Moseley [mailto:videobob@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 1:37 PM
To: DMCForum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [DMCForum] Re: DMCH open house...
Robert, (vegas),
this is not a direct reply to you but rather a statement to everyone, so no
offense.......
I am not about to argue restoration vs. original paint and these opinions.
I agree, an early 1900's Harley or Indian with original paint (cracked,
faded) is worth more
than one with a stripped restored paint job....
but I don't think that this same thing applies.....not when there are a
thousand brand
new painted fascias stacked up at DMCH.
....a few hundred years from now when there are none to be found, and you
have the
the only real fascia on the planet and everyone else has replaced theirs
with a reproduction
then your faded paint will have some value and respect.
Until that time when someone looks at your car and sees the paint falling
off they will think...
"Gee, the paint is falling right off the car! What a piece of shit".
At least, that's what I think.
There are plenty of 20+ year old cars with all the paint in tact.
There is no reason the car should be looking bad when there are simple and
CHEAP
solutions for all of these problems.
If the fascias were hard to get, expensive and hard to put on I could
understand
the reasoning for not replacing it, but you can order one from DMCH or a
refurbished
one from Josh or others, get it in a few days, and put it on in MINUTES.
I think it only took me about 10 or 15 minutes to put it on.
Considering what it would cost to replace the front bumper fascia on my
Taurus or any
other new car, the price for replacing the fascia on the front of a classic
exotic sports car
is more than reasonable.
Ever priced the front bumper of a Lamborghini?
You can't get one for $700.00 I tell you that.
Speaking of Lamborghini's, I am going to tell my story of the first time I
saw one (again)
so that maybe you would understand.
......as a kid, I worshiped the Lamborghini Countach.
I had posters everywhere.
I told my mom that when I was old enough I was going to get a tattoo of a
Lamborghini on
my arm, and the Bull Logo on the other.... (thank God she would'nt let me!)
When I was 16, I saved up the money to buy one of the kit-cars, and sent IFG
a $1000 deposit.
Once I realized I would never be able to complete it I had to forfeit the
money.
....so anyway, one day I am driving down the road and I see a white
Lamborghini Countach
parked outside a business. Until then I had never seen one in person.
I screeched to a stop and ran over to it, the owner came out to show it to
me.
It looked like SHIT. I asked, "is this a replica?".
"No" he says, "let me show you the engine". He opens the engine lid and the
engine
was crusty looking, he fired it up and it sputtered and puffed smoke and
sounded like
a Volkswagen bus.
The interior was all ripped up, cracked, looked like hell.
I couldn't believe it.
I was so disappointed. It left a bad taste in my mouth that is nothing less
than bitter.
I never forgot it.
This is the equivalent to meeting your favorite star and asking for an
autograph
and being told to "fuck off". Imagine how you would feel?
For most people, when they see our cars it is the first and maybe only time
they
will ever see a DeLorean.
It is our responsibility as DeLorean owners to make sure they are
presentable and
reflect the "dream". JZD's "dream" was not to have the car known as a
"lemon".
We have so many hurdles to overcome with the public awareness and
misinformation
about cocaine, and that the cars are lemons, and unreliable...etc.
The last thing that I want is someone to see one of our cars looking badly
and
and the person will forever say,...."yeah, I saw a DeLorean once, it was a
peice of shit."
So, I know some of you out there can't afford to to spend money on the car,
but as long as you understand my point of view and at least make plans to
repair
and upgrade then you are on the right track.
Here are the most common things that look bad and can be repaired or
replaced easily.
* Dash & Binnacle:
Can be purchased from DMCH or recovered by any upholstery shop.
Josh sells recovered dashes, binnacles, knee pads, etc.
* Headliner:
You can recover these yourself very cheap, any auto headliner place can do
this.
* Seat Covers: $599
The new DMCH seat covers are one of the best investments you can make.
I have them and I always get compliments on them even from people who have
never seen a DeLorean, they can't believe how fluffy, soft and supple they
are.
They are worth every penny. Most auto seat cover places can install them for
under $100.
* Switches: $40 each, (less than $180 for all of them)
You can replace your window and defroster switches real cheap, and the dummy
switches can be replaced with working rocker switches that you can use for
other uses.
I have seen tons of cars with faded grey and even green moldy switches.
Many previous owners have drilled holes into the dummy switches and
installed
goofy little toggle switches.
Replace them and wire those switches to the new rockers.
These are only about $40 each - not a big price for an exotic sports car.
While you are replaceing them you can straighten out the metal part that
they
mount to so they will all be even and straight.
*Carpet:
You can pull the seats out easy and replace the whole lower carpet for about
$300 or so.
* Faded Black:
You can tape off and paint all the little black parts on your car real easy.
If they are faded gray or white then give them a hit of flat black.
They will have a nice texture and look new again.
(I used the Kent Ureolastic Black Bumper paint that Don Stegar sells.)
*Fascias:
Replace or repaint them. If they are badly warped, replace them and
reinforce them to
prevent it from happening again.
* Lenses:
If your taillights are faded and the color is missing, REPLACE them.
If your headlights are yellow and foggy, replace them.
* Rims:
You can repaint your rims yourself, but it is best to have them powder
coated.
I have Don Stegars chromed rims and I get lots of complements, however if
you want
to keep everything original, you can buy new rims that look new cheaper than
you would think.
Much cheaper than custom rims would cost you for your low rider.
I could go on and on but I think you get the point.
I have said this before and I always get shit about it, but it's the way I
feel.
If you want to have a DeLorean it is your responsibility to keep it up and
make it
look good, if you can't afford to drop a few grand into the car to fix it up
then sell it
to someone who WILL appreciate it and fix it up and buy yourself a Chevette.
Then you can drive a piece of shit and no one will care.
If you dissagree then get out of the "community", our togetherness is fueled
by our love for the cars, you don't neglect something you love.
- Videobob
VIN#5278
PS: Robert, this was not an attack on you personally, just a general
statement :>
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