[DML] Re: Fast Car?

["Dan" <djdanwilson@xxxxxxxxx>]

--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "tuxr" <tuxdarby@xxxx> wrote:
>
> I have people ask me the usual questions...but I 
> don't know the answer to one of them: is 
> it considered a fast car?  

That's subjective, and it can depend on how you look at it. I
personally see a difference between "quick" and "fast". Is the
DeLorean quick? In the grand scheme of things, no. I've read that
stock it ran the 1/4 mile in like 16.5 seconds when tested, then later
I read that was the 170 hp version without the emissions equipment
that ran the 16.5. That time is lousy. Add the emission equipment, and
I'm afraid to ask what it would run. Tamir's Web site says that the
Legend twin turbo prototype ran a 14.7 when tested. 14.7 is "good",
but far from great. I had what most would consider a "slow" '79 Vette.
It ran a 14.8 needing a tune up. So, is the stock D "quick"? I'd have
to say no.

Is the DeLorean fast? I've read the top speed of a stock D is 130 MPH.
If you were driving a car at 130 MPH would you say that you were going
"fast"? Probably. So, is the DeLorean fast? I'd have to say yes.

The DeLorean is fast, but since it's not quick it will take you awhile
to reach it's top speed.

> How fast? Would it be passed by a Toyota 
> Pruis?  A mustang?  Corvette?  Had a Lamborghini blow by me today on 
> the interstate, didn't even think about trying to speed up a little to 
> check it out.  How does it compare to other cars out there?

Is the DeLorean a sports car? Yes. Is the DeLorean a high performance
car? NO! The DeLorean is fast, but not as fast as many other sports
cars that are high performance. You would never catch up to any
Lamborghini who didn't allow you to. Would you be passed by a Prius?
Doubtful. Would you be passed by a Mustang? Depends on the Mustang,
but any V8 will, and a lot of V6s could too. A Corvette? If it was
produced after '55, without a doubt.

Keep one thing in perspective. The DeLorean was produced at a time
when performance in all cars was all but eliminated in the U.S.
primarily due to emissions regulations among other things. I mean, a
government regulation required our DeLoreans to have an 85 MPH
speedometer! Even though the "clamp down" started in the early '70s,
by the '80s the technology to compensate still didn't exist like it
does today. All late '70s - early '90s cars were slow compared to
performance cars from the Muscle Car era of '64-'74, that JZD started,
and to the cars of today that can be high performance, environmentally
friendly, economical and safe. It's not fair to compare a DMC-12 to a
C5 Vette, or a '67 Vette. You must compare it to an '81 or an '82.
Those two model year Vettes were still faster than the DMC-12, but the
DMC-12 could out handle an both of them. The DMC-12 was faster than
the Cross Fire Injected Trans Ams and Z28s available at that time. At
least, that's what I've read.

If I'm incorrect on any of this, somebody help me out.

How's that for too much answer to a simple question? I appreciate the
car for what it is, and try not to care too much about what it's not.
All my friends with C5s can smoke me on the pavement, but at a car
show they have nothing on me. Their cars are depreciating. Mine is
appreciating. There's more to loving a particular car than just being
able to go faster than the next guy.

Dan W.
VIN 16192
AZ-D








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