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------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are 17 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Stainless Steel Illusion Update
From: James Espey <james@xxxxxxxxxx>
2. One Year Of Ownership!!
From: Phil Priestley <phil@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
3. Re: Weird VINs in the doors
From: "James" <james@xxxxxxxxxx>
4. Re: DMC's Plans
From: "James" <james@xxxxxxxxxx>
5. Re: Weird VINs in the doors
From: Martin Gutkowski <webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
6. Re: Weird VINs in the doors
From: "cyboexpo2002" <paul.mari@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
7. change of VIN
From: "Mads de Bruin" <debruin@xxxxxxxxxx>
8. air conditioning related overheating
From: Andrew <aos+yahoo@xxxxxxxx>
9. Re: DMC's Plans
From: "cyboexpo2002" <paul.mari@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
10. Re: Delorean Hovercraft on MG (final thoughts)
From: Jon Heese <heese@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
11. Re: Back in the Saddle
From: "Bob Thomason" <rdt7@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
12. Re: DeLorean insurance
From: "sharkywtrs" <dmc83n99@xxxxxxx>
13. Public Thanks
From: Louie Golden <louie@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
14. Forgotten Thank You's
From: Louie Golden <louie@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
15. Re: Delorean Hovercraft on MG (destruction)
From: "d_rex_2002" <rich@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
16. RE: Re: Weird VINs in the doors
From: "michael townsley" <townfour@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
17. Re: air conditioning related overheating
From: "David Teitelbaum" <jtrealty@xxxxxxxxxxx>
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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2003 21:52:48 -0500
From: James Espey <james@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Stainless Steel Illusion Update
Got the word this afternoon that the books are expected to clear customs
Thursday. Allowing for time for our freight company to pick them up and get
them to Texas, I expect that we will be shipping books the middle of next
week.
As an aside, I will be out of the office beginning Thursday, October 23 and
will not return until the morning of November 11. My email access will be
sporadic, so feel free to call or email Warren (warren AT usadmc.com) or
Julie (julie_m AT usadmc.com) if you need.
For those attending the NEC show in Birmingham on the 8th and 9th, stop by
and see me and DMC's shipping manager, Ben Shrum, at the Carcoon display.
James Espey
DeLorean Motor Company (Texas)
800/USA-DMC1
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2003 20:23:15 -0700
From: Phil Priestley <phil@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: One Year Of Ownership!!
Today marks one year since I became the second owner of vin 2105. Next
week I might post pics of the way the car looked when the shippers
delivered it compared to how it looks now. What a change! (and I have
the credit card receipts to prove it!)
Phil Priestley
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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 05:57:29 -0000
From: "James" <james@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Weird VINs in the doors
Scott -
All the cars left at the factory after the last boat "authorized" by
the US arm of DMC later became the property of Consolidated
International and according to Leif Montin, who was there at the
time, these remaining CD010XXX, CD011XXX and CD012XXX cars were given
new VIN numbers, DD015XXX, DD016XXX and DD017XXX. This was in the
October/November of 1982, and they wanted the cars to appear to be
1983 models (as otherwise the cars would have already been one model
year "old"). Supposedly, this was done at the instruction of Jeff
Abrams, mentioned in SSI as one of people from Consolidated involved
in sorting out the factory, cars, etc., after they took over.
I bet that your VIN plate on the dash is glued on rather than pop-
riveted. If you were to pop it off, you would see the holes from the
original pop-rivets still in the dash.
That would explain the V12094.
I don't think the 8.25 and 9.30 are dates. In N. Ireland and the UK,
the dates are written day/month (i.e 31 Dec or 31/12).
And I think the Metal Mikey is actually "Metal Mickey". His name has
been found on a lot of doors! Wonder who he was and where he is now?
We have several doors here in the warehouse with VIN's written in
them, that were either not installed on the cars (failed QC
electrical tests, maybe) but still carry the VIN of their intended
car. The stainless door for V20105 is here, too. 20105 was re-skinned
to become the last gold car.
A few of the doors also have HIGHER VIN's, like V21113. Built the
door, but never the rest of the car? Lots of mysteries in the VIN
system that they used on the 1982 and 1983's.
James Espey
DeLorean Motor Company
--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Scott McMullan" <mcmullan@xxxx>
wrote:
> My VIN is 17094, manufactured Aug 82.
>
> On the left door, I saw "V12159" along with a key code, as well as
the
> initials "RJC" a date of "9.30" and the number "17". This didn't
confuse me
> too much -- it sounds like it must have been replaced at some
point... but I
> would be interested in hearing if anyone out there knows what
happened to
> 12159.
>
> On the right door, I saw "V12094" and a different key code, and a
date of
> "8.25" but there were also some other interesting things, a
signature from
> "Metal Mikey Z.", and another date "25.3.82 OK RB + KS" -- this
was kind of
> cool... but what really makes me scratch my head is the VIN 12094,
which is
> too similar to my actual VIN 17094 to be a coincidence. Was there
maybe a
> batch of VINs in the 12xxx series that was reassigned to 17xxx for
sale in
> Canada (mine's a Canadian model)? Can someone else with a 17xxx
VIN peek at
> their doors and see if they see something similar? Maybe my left
door
> actually came from VIN 17259? If you think maybe I just misread the
> writing, take a look for yourself:
> http://www.sixgeeks.org/~scott/DeLorean/rh.jpg
>
> Certainly not urgent, but if anyone has any info that can shed some
light on
> this I'd love to hear it.
> Thanks!
> --Scott
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Message: 4
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 06:07:51 -0000
From: "James" <james@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: DMC's Plans
Briefly...
A. Exterior Facelift including, modified front bumper insert,
restyled front spoiler, modified side rub strips, delete rear louver
and restyle engine cover.
Headlamp washers, restyled b-post vents, defrost on exterior mirrors.
Restyled front and rear fascias.
B. Interior. Restyled intoerior trim (complete, including instrument
cluster and centre console, six way power seats, passive restraints
in the form of power operated belts.
Roof mounted radio, restyled steering wheel. Repositioned,
illuminated ashtray.
C. Increased fuel capacity by introduction of additional formed
plastic tanks.
As far as the turbo - revised engine and transmission cooling
ssytems, high capacity front brakes, revised front and rear
suspension (incl alternate tyres).
Turbo cosmetics include: Rear bumper logo "turbo", revised interior
trim (cloth inserts), rear spoilers (top and bottom back light
aperture), turbo side stripes, interior boost indicator, restyled
side sills incl air scoops.
There are also several pages on the sedan. When I get back to the
office next month I will endeavor to scan and post this document.
James Espey
DeLorean Motor Company
--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Thomas Mc Auley <mcauleydmc@xxxx>
wrote:
> What were some of the revisions? Was the turbo one of them? And,
will DMC Houston ever make a new De Lorean, as in their own car?
>
> Thanks
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Message: 5
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 10:33:37 +0100
From: Martin Gutkowski <webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Weird VINs in the doors
The run of Wooler-Hodec right-hand drive cars all start 121xx and had
may 82 vin #'s Over here, a date is written day/month/year so 9.30 is
probably not a date.
That said, the right-handers are mostly very early cars that remained
until quite late so thay tend to have early style door locks, early
underbody, grey wheels, but a flat bonnet.
Martin
Scott McMullan wrote:
>At the the fall tour, I decided to pull off my headliners and take a peek at
>whatever might be hiding back there. I was expecting to find my VIN number
>and a key code. I found a couple of weird things I didn't expect.
>
>My VIN is 17094, manufactured Aug 82.
>
>On the left door, I saw "V12159" along with a key code, as well as the
>initials "RJC" a date of "9.30" and the number "17". This didn't confuse me
>too much -- it sounds like it must have been replaced at some point... but I
>would be interested in hearing if anyone out there knows what happened to
>12159.
>
>
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Message: 6
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 11:25:22 -0000
From: "cyboexpo2002" <paul.mari@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Weird VINs in the doors
Very cool. Ds are known to have some interesting stuff written on
certain parts. Your VIN # does fit in the Canadian # series, but it
isn't on the copy of the VIN list I have. Neither are the other 2
numbers on either door. Those numbers fit into the right-hand drive
VINs, so maybe originally the car or parts of it were going to be
right-hand drive?
--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Scott McMullan" <mcmullan@xxxx> wrote:
>
> At the the fall tour, I decided to pull off my headliners and take a
peek at
> whatever might be hiding back there. I was expecting to find my VIN
number
> and a key code. I found a couple of weird things I didn't expect.
>
> My VIN is 17094, manufactured Aug 82.
>
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Message: 7
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 06:05:44 -0000
From: "Mads de Bruin" <debruin@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: change of VIN
Hi everybody,
As of last monday I'm the new owner of VIN 02010. It's an automatic,
black interior, gasflap and window antenna.
I sold my other D, VIN 06881, to a very enthusiastic German guy that
will take good care of it.
I know the history here in the Netherlands but it looks like it got
over here with a few driven miles on it.
The company that imported the cars, imported new cars but also a few
used ones.
I just wanted to try if any of you knows about VIN 02010, where it
was from and who owned it.
E-mail me privatly at: debruin(at)dia.eur.nl
Thanks!
Mads de Bruin
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Message: 8
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 08:34:06 -0500 (CDT)
From: Andrew <aos+yahoo@xxxxxxxx>
Subject: air conditioning related overheating
Hi group. I've recently developed a sporadic overheating problem. It may
have been around longer, but since it appears to be related to the only
recently fixed air conditioning, it's only recently popped up.
Most of the time, I'm just fine. If the AC is off, my temperature gauge
is solid on the first line above the bottom and does not fluctuate at all.
If I turn on the AC, it'll move up above that line just a little, but no
more than I would expect with the additional load and heat dissipation.
But every now and then, particularly if I've been sitting still, I'll look
down and find the gauge has creeped up into the red zone. Here's the
funny part, though. If I turn off the AC, the gauge will drop back to
normal within seconds. If I turn the AC back on at that point, I'm
usually fine again, although after a while (and a few more stops), it may
start to creep up again.
This car has persistent low voltage at idle problems, but I don't think
bad enough to cause enough slowdown of the cooling fans to cause this kind
of a problem. I am fairly certain the cooling fans are running when they
should be, although since this problem only pops up when the AC is
running, I can't easily hear them. I have checked the breaker to make
sure it's the upgraded 40 A.
I'm going to be replacing my steering rack this weekend, and will check
all the usual suspects for cooling problems... thermostat, otterstat, air
in the system, etc., but I'd like to know if anyone has any specific
ideas, given the apparent relationship to my air conditioning (which is
filled with R134a, FWIW).
As a side note, #4115 just rolled over 50,000 miles the other day. It
actually went over 50K at least a couple of thousand miles ago, because I
know the angle drive was broken for its trip here from California, and who
knows how much more of its former life, but we'll pretend those miles
don't exist.
Thanks.
-andrew
#4115
Houston TX
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Message: 9
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 13:42:30 -0000
From: "cyboexpo2002" <paul.mari@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: DMC's Plans
Very cool. Thanks for the post...will certainly be looking forward to
the scanned pages...
One point I find interesting: roof-mounted radio...most of the other
things we do see in moderate to upper-priced vehicles today, proof
that Delorean was a man ahead of his times, and the car even moreso.
--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "James" <james@xxxx> wrote:
> Briefly...
>
> A. Exterior Facelift including, modified front bumper insert,
> restyled front spoiler, modified side rub strips, delete rear louver
> and restyle engine cover.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 10
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 10:43:27 -0400
From: Jon Heese <heese@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Delorean Hovercraft on MG (final thoughts)
If I'm not mistaken, there was nothing in the show that indicated that
the crushing of the car immediately followed its failed modification. I
think we kind of assumed that it was the next morning, but really it
could have been days or even weeks later. None of the builders were
present at the finale, but maybe they know more...
Jon Heese
On Thu, 2003-10-23 at 07:08, dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> > they MUST have planned way in advance that
> > it was to be crushed.
>
> No, originally they were going to drop it from a helicopter over the
> Arizona desert.
>
>
> > You don't just call the Navy and have them crush
> > a car on short notice!
>
> Apparently you can!
>
> Dan
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Message: 11
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 10:57:52 -0400
From: "Bob Thomason" <rdt7@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Back in the Saddle
Louie....don't forget the part of our deal where you promised to call me first if you ever decide to sell the car! I already miss it but I know it's in good hands.
I'm going to miss owning my Delorean. It was my daily driver and I can honestly say that every morning when I drove it out of my driveway I'd think to myself, "damn, this car is fun to drive". How many cars can do that to a person? Thanks to all of you all for keeping up the flow of information on this list. I read it religiously and its been a big help. Thanks to Dave Swingle for adjusting my doors----for free no less! And you ETDOC guys were a blast to be with on the Tail of the Dragon trip last year. This is a great community and that's half the fun of owning the car.
I will own a Delorean again. Unfortunately, time and family pressues necessate a different vehicle for now. It'll be something totally boring, I'm sure. I'll tough it out as long as I can, but I know I'll be back in the saddle someday. Once possessed by the dream, it never really dies!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Message: 12
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 17:01:17 -0000
From: "sharkywtrs" <dmc83n99@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: DeLorean insurance
For anyone who has not heard of this group, I sincerely suggest that
everyone go to www.esurance.com. They have all of my vehicles, and
because no one works on commission, nor do they have bonus fees they
pay on policies, their rates are VERY reasonable. By adding this
car to my current policy, it raised my rates 30 dollars a month.
They currently write 81 and 82, but do have to do a good amount of
work to get an 83 written, as like many others, they don't recognize
it as a model year.
Scott
016738
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Message: 13
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 10:30:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: Louie Golden <louie@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Public Thanks
I just wanted to take some time to publicly thank some people in the DeLorean community who have been so kind to me over the years. First I'd like to thank Darren Decker. He's been a great friend to me for almost 4 years now, and he's taught me so much about the cars. He's also went and inspected several possible purchases for me. Secondly I'd like to thank Bill Robertson. He's also been a great friend to me over the past two years, and has gotten me out of some major pinches that #10115 threw at me. Both of these guys are true first rate people, and are a great asset to the DeLorean community.
I'd also like to thank Bob Thomason. He loaned me his car so that I could go to SEDOC about a month ago after I wrecked mine. He has been the most patient and kind guy to deal with while I waited for my insurance payment as well. I promise I'll take care of your car! Next I'd like to thank John Hervey. I'd had some problems with my 150amp alternator, and just recently he sent me a BRAND NEW one, even though I think the alternator may have been out of warranty. He's a truly friendly guy, and I'm glad there are people in the DeLorean community that are out there like him. A big thanks also goes out to Ken Koncelik who got down on the ground and got himself all dirty to check out a potential buy for me at SEDOC. Luckily it wasn't in vain... I bought that car yesterday... LOL.
And finally I'd like to thank my parents. They have been so awesome about this whole DeLorean experience. They helped me buy my first DeLorean, and kept it on the road when I'm sure they wanted to run it over with a tank too... LOL. They even let me get a second DeLorean after I was plowed over by a Cadillac in my first one. They have just gone above and beyond, and I can't thank them enough for it. Owning a DeLorean has been one of my life's goals since I was a little kid, and without them I wouldn't have one now. Owning a DeLorean has been one of the most exciting AND frusterating things in my life... but first and foremost it's been the biggest learning experience. Thanks for everything guys!!!
Louie Golden
VIN 5252 Charlotte, NC
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Message: 14
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 11:18:32 -0700 (PDT)
From: Louie Golden <louie@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Forgotten Thank You's
I knew I was going to forget someone in my thanks post. I can't believe I forgot to thank Dave Swingle though! He took time from his vacation to his Mother's house in South Carolina two years in a row to adjust my and other owners torsion bars. Not only did he take time from his vacation to do this, but he did it for free. Dave is a super nice guy to boot. Thanks for everything!! I need to thank Bob Miller as well... he did a ton of work on my car over the summer, but made it so that I didn't bust my wallet. Everyone give yourself a pat on the back... people in the DeLorean community are the best! :-)
Louie Golden
VIN 5252 Charlotte, NC
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Message: 15
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 20:04:33 -0000
From: "d_rex_2002" <rich@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Delorean Hovercraft on MG (destruction)
Dan is exactly correct. The first plan, discussed minutes after
the build failed, was to have the hovercraft fly and the general
feeling was to use a big helicopter to lift the hovercraft into
the air and drop it from a few thousand feet up. The helicopter
that was to be used was fighting forest fires in northern CA and
Oregon and was weeks past overdue on its expected return.
As Dan knows, the Delorean Hovercraft was still intact two months
after the build and less than two weeks before the episode aired.
Apparently they did go for Plan B and called in the Marines with
less than two weeks left until the air date, to destroy the craft.
As Jon implied, yes, there may be days, weeks or even months that
go by before a build is given its final test or its destruction.
Later,
Rich W.
--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Jon Heese <heese@xxxx> wrote:
> If I'm not mistaken, there was nothing in the show that indicated
that
> the crushing of the car immediately followed its failed
modification. I
> think we kind of assumed that it was the next morning, but really it
> could have been days or even weeks later. None of the builders were
> present at the finale, but maybe they know more...
>
> Jon Heese
>
> On Thu, 2003-10-23 at 07:08, dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> > > they MUST have planned way in advance that
> > > it was to be crushed.
> >
> > No, originally they were going to drop it from a helicopter over
the
> > Arizona desert.
> >
> > > You don't just call the Navy and have them crush
> > > a car on short notice!
> >
> > Apparently you can!
> >
> > Dan
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Message: 16
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 16:05:32 -0400
From: "michael townsley" <townfour@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: Re: Weird VINs in the doors
MY D is VIN # DDO17043, a 5 speed, and was manufactured in September of 1982
however it is titled as a 1983. It is a 3 owner car which I believe has
always been registered in Connecticut although I do not know where it was
originally shipped. I thought I saw a monthly production chart which
indicated that September 1982 was one of the last months of relatively high
production and after that the monthly production figures were fairly low for
the remainder of the year.
And yes, there are no pop rivets showing on the VIN tag....it could be just
glued in place. If these cars were not shipped as DMC (US), is there any
information on when they were shipped?
Michael Townsley
townfour@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: James [mailto:james@xxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 1:57 AM
To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [DML] Re: Weird VINs in the doors
Scott -
All the cars left at the factory after the last boat "authorized" by
the US arm of DMC later became the property of Consolidated
International and according to Leif Montin, who was there at the
time, these remaining CD010XXX, CD011XXX and CD012XXX cars were given
new VIN numbers, DD015XXX, DD016XXX and DD017XXX. This was in the
October/November of 1982, and they wanted the cars to appear to be
1983 models /
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Message: 17
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 20:45:52 -0000
From: "David Teitelbaum" <jtrealty@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: air conditioning related overheating
When the A/C is running it is that much more heat for the cooling fans
to have to dissapate so it is harder on the cooling system. Check all
the usual suspects. For instance:
Make sure BOTH fans are running
Make sure they are both running in the correct direction ie, toward
the rear
Make sure the fans are tight on the motor shafts and not slipping
Check that there aren't any leaves or debris blocking the condensor
core or radiator
Bleed the cooling system at the radiator (loosen the small hose at the
top right side).
Make sure the intake grills are clear (don't stick the license plate
over one of them, it makes a big difference)
You might need a new otterstadt switch (one that turns on a little
sooner). When you run the A/C it overrides the otterstadt switch.
You could also check the drive belts, if they are too loose they could
be slipping.
David Teitelbaum
vin 10757
--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Andrew <aos+yahoo@xxxx> wrote:
> Hi group. I've recently developed a sporadic overheating problem.
It may
> have been around longer, but since it appears to be related to the only
> recently fixed air conditioning, it's only recently popped up.
>
> Most of the time, I'm just fine. If the AC is off, my temperature
gauge
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