RE: [DML] On Buying a DeLorean (best year to buy)

["JDL" <jdl@xxxx>]

Mike is essentially right, but a VIN can tell you a bit more. For example,
the earliest VINs were from cars assembled just after the production process
got started. If you recall, many of the first 500 or so cars
(pre-production) were assembled in order to get out the "bugs" in the
production process. As time went on, through late 81 and early 82, the
workers became more proficient and the assembly line sped up. Correct me
if I'm wrong, but late 82's- through December- morale was lower and, as Mike
said, many of these cars sat on docks in New Jersey and elsewhere waiting to
be sold. On the other hand, improvements in some of the cars initial
deficiencies were taken care of, particularly from a major components and
safety standpoint- changing out the underpowered alternators, for example.

So you can make some judgments of the quality of car from where it started.
But again, to Mike's point, the care of the car in the intervening 20 or so
years is probably more important, particularly for a car that has seen some
use.

David
jdl@xxxx

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Substelny [mailto:msubstel@xxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 11:56 AM
To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [DML] On Buying a DeLorean (best year to buy)

I caution all subscribers to take this type of advice with a grain of salt.
Do not to be
lulled into a false sense of security! Simply knowing a DeLorean's VIN (or
build date)
tells you NOTHING about its value or its viability!

Consider that daily drivers are not necessarily the most valuable. Concours
quality,
gold plated, and other very special DeLoreans would be unlikely candidates
to become
daily drivers.

- Mike Substelny
VIN 01280, 8 years


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