Wow, where to begin. Many thanks to John Dore for his comments. I've always written basicly just my thoughts and feelings about the certain subjects. I am glad to know that others do agree with me. In all honesty, it means alot to me that it all ment at leat a little something to someone. I just hope that I've helped put certain things into new perspectives for others to see. Once again, thank you very much! Why hasn't JZD been able to attend any conventions before? Well, my guess for one is that he's been pretty busy trying to fight his legal battles for one thing. Amongst others, I would imagine it would have to be that perhaps he has been unsure of the climate. Yes, both the internet and the DML have come to spread an enormous amount of information about the car. And I would imagine that it has also helped to inform JZD about how the majority of owners feel about their cars. So I think that in that respect, it has worked both ways for JZD and us owners. As far appriciation, certain jokes and the like, I'm going to say this. These are obviously two very sore areas for myself. And to be honest, I am quite hesitant as to comment other than to say I absolutely hate any kind of slander or disrespect twards the car, company, or man. I don't want to get into what an owner should or shouldn't be. I would like to think that ALL owners respect all 3 equally. It really is my feeling that if you own a DeLorean, you owe it to yourself, the car, and others to ask you questions to be as knowledgeable about all 3. Reading all available print and material about them is an absolute must. If nothing else, the benefit to yourself of understanding more about the car is at the very least priceless. On a more somber note, history has a way of repeating itself, and I don't want to divide anyone by trying to say that one person is a better, or more "loyal" owner than the next. With every marque, there are those that may simply own a car to say that they do. And even then, some may speak of owning in passing, while others may be complely indifferent, and not care as to what they say about the car/marque. I don't want to divide owners into "North and South", or "Who's Living the Dream vs. Who's simply daydreaming the idea". But at the very least, I do belive that telling a "coke jokes" @ a DeLorean convention is quite tasteless. That would pretty much go beyond simply being a "Turd in a puchbowl". That's more like a Porta-Potty in the middle of the Vatican... Now, onto other subjects! As far as KAPAC is concerned, if they hadn't of been around, someone else would have picked up the slack. Granted, parts may not have been as centralized, but they still would have been available some how, some way. The local mechanic who works on my car is DeLorean Certified. And according to him, after JZD was arrested, phone calls all across the country were made in efforts to keep both parts and service available. As well as all info to owners. I can't remember who exactly, but it was a groups that was working with the at the time current owners club (NOT the DOA). Efforts were made, and paid off. A network of service centers became available, and parts were kept plentiful. KAPAC was the source of parts because they had the remaining stock, but they did not establish the network that lasted quite a few years to sustain our cars. No matter what, a way would have been found. Did Back to the Future save the cars? That's a yes and no question. It ranks right up there with "Which came first: The Chicken, or the Egg." BTTF has done quite it's share of making the car known. But the majority of people who own DeLoreans, reguardless of where/when/how they first learned of them do so because they fall in love with the car. Probably not because they want to be Marty McFly, or Doc Brown. A question that will probably never have a 100% black and white answer... But to say that they simply didn't have interest, I can't fully agree with. As far as car buffs are concerned, I disregard their "professional" opinions. A while back, there was a specal on the Discovery Channel I believe. It was about how auto mfg's design cars. And there was a very interesting quote from a test driver down in Southern California who worked @ the Nissan design studios. His job is to drive the cars thru a daily routine, and see how they perform, and function. He only gets to drive the vehicles for a couple of weeks at a time. He basicly said that when he has a car he is uncomfortalbe with, he always looks forward to turning it back in. But he hates it even more to drive a car he likes. By the time he finally starts to get used to it, or even enjoy it. it gets taken away... So, to summerize, what could a "Car Buff", or even a "Professional" possibly know about the quality/performance/ enjoyability of my car when they can't even take the time to truly get familiar with it? Everytime I've seen a "Professiona;" do an article on the DeLorean's performance, they're out on the track", and only for a few hours at the most. I've yet to see someone put it thru a real world test. As far as where all the rest of the DeLoreans that are MIA are at, try looking in people's backyards and garages. As far as social gatherings and the like go with my car, I'm mostly a recluse. If you happen to see me on the street, consider yourself lucky. It's easier to find Waldo than it is me. And I've met a few owners by chance, and they are the same way. The local garage where the DeLoreans in town are all serviced doen't share info with others about the cars. Not even between owners! All this time, and who knew that 4 other DeLoreans were all within a 10 mile radious of my house! Those missing cars aren't wrecked. They're just hidden! :) -Robert vin 6585 "X" p.s. Congrats John, I hope the car works out!