Re: [DML] Delorean 1981 DMC (trying to purchase)

[Gus Schlachter <gus@xxxx>]

Jeremiah,

For I would recommend getting the pre-install checklist:

http://www.usadmc.com/files/report.pdf

It gives you the right things to look for. If you really want to be picky, download the concours manual. At least it has photos of what your stock Lotus engine is supposed to look like. :-) Lotus did work on the Delorean project, so I'm pretty sure the engine is the original Volvo and the seller is misinformed.

If the fuel pump was faulty the car would not start. There are a bajillion other things that could cause this problem, as the evidenced by the recent thread on a similar problem.

The bottom line is that I'd take a kinda-running DMC for $4500 in a heartbeat. That's barely the price of a parts car (and I know a guy that will give you $400 for the torsion bar, lol). We need to come up with a value of a DeLorean that suffers only from neglect, and it still undamaged in body/panels/frame/glass/etc. but I think $4500 is dirt-cheap, even including the tow. :-)

I only wish to temper your excitement with a dose of reality: the car needs work. Lots of work. And unless you have a mechanic that you would trust with your life, your best bet is to do the work yourself.

Without attempting to value your free time, I'm betting that you'll spend at least that $4500 again in parts to get this car running and street legal, maybe that number again to get it comforable and attractive. Still you will have gotten a DMC very cheap.

I think Dave Stragand paid $3000 for his "car" and it took him 2 years to get it to the point that yours is at now. :-)


Good luck!

Gus Schlachter
VIN #4695
Austin, TX



enid maldonado wrote:

> hey everyone!
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> I'm looking at FINALLY purchasing a Delorean. It is a 1981 delorean DMC-12, 45000 miles. This is the catch:
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> It WILL start up. You can let the engine sit in idle, but no gas gets to the intake. In other words, you cannot drive it. We believe at first hand that the fuel is not getting to the intake, possibly due to the fuel pump needing to be replaced, or there is something wrong with the fuel pump relay. He is offering it to me for $4500 as is, or he will get it fixed (the interior [steering wheel and the vinyl walls) need some replacing, but he is WILLING to do it at no charge) and make it to where it will run and drive for $8500. My two questions to everyone:
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> 1. Can anyone verify our theories as to what may be wrong?
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> 2. Is this a good asking price?
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> He claims everything else works. I saw the car myself (while jumping up and down); I opened the doors, struts work perfectly, the interior looks intact and good. The "trunk" looks great, the engine looks very nice for being 23 yrs old. He claims it's a Lotus engine, that this was the original engine put in the car (I thought it was a V-6 Volvo?). I mention that just in case if it is a different engine, there may be a different problem than what most Delorean owners commonly would suggest. I hope to hear some ideas - I look to have this car by Dec 2003!!! If I do, I will send pics!!! (excited as heck)
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> Jeremiah