[DML] Re: DeLorean Frames

["David Teitelbaum" <jtrealty@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The sheet metal frames are NOT JZD's first choice. He was pushing for
the EPRM body. It was essentially a fiberglass unibody. Because of
crash safety, cost, Lotus's experience with the metal backbone frame,
and production time frame requirements they decided on the sheet metal
frame. The concession to longevity (which JZD wanted as part of his
ethical sports car) was to epoxy coat the frame. It did hold up for a
long time. Much longer than most other cars of the period but it was
not meant to last forever. Unfortunetly (for us anyway) it is NOT a
long term (20 years +) solution. Eventually the epoxy gets brittle,
cracks, and allows moisture to get between it and the metal. The
better choice would have been to hot-dip galvanize the frame. Even
that has it's drawbacks. It adds weight and can distort the frame. The
choice of the frame was one of the worst compromises IMHO on the whole
Delorean project. It made the car heavier than originally intended and
hurt the performance badly. Making a car that would last for 20 years
was not a priority item. Getting them into production at the right
price-point became the overriding priority.
David Teitelbaum
vin 10757


--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "content22207" <brobertson@...> wrote:
>
> Subaru's didn't have frames (still don't). Like all Japanese cars of
> the vintage, they were unit body construction...


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