Math

["theshovel1224" <theshovel1224@xxxx>]

It has been previously discussed that the DOA's production figure of
8,583 is most likely innaccurate, & that nobody really knows how the
DOA arrived at this figure. The 1981 production figure would seem
to be fairly straightforward. We all know that the first DeLorean
produced was #500. The last 1981 model was #7199. This is in the
parts manual, various service bulleteins, as well as the DMC
Production Chronology, found at
http://www.dmcnews.com/faq/n_chron.htm
Assuming no vin skips, the production figure for 1981 models should
be 6,700 even. Yes, I know 7,199-500+6,699. 7,199 vins minus the
first 499 vins (remember to count #500) equals 6,700 1981 models.

Ok, now on to the more complicated stuff. The first 1982 model was
#10001. The highest vin for a 1982 model that I have come across is
#11786. The highest one listed in the Chronology is #11784. I got
#11786 from post #4575. Then there are the 12000 series vins (RHD
conversions & others) 12171, 12173-12177, 12179-12181, 12199, 12345,
12451 (found in message #15435 & the chronology) There could be a
#12172 & #12178, but they aren't listed anywhere. So the production
figure for 1982 models is at least 1,798. (1,786 consecutive vins
plus 12 12000 series cars, possibly 14, if #12172 & #12178 are
included, which would push the figure to 1,800 even)

About the vin skips: I personally do not believe that any vins were
skipped other than between serieses, & in the 12000 series cars,
except for maybe in the 15000 series. This comes from looking at the
Chronology and seeing only 13 vins reported out of 1,000, as opposed
to 78 for the 16000 series. But, looking at the 15000 series vins,
the reported #'s are fairly evenly spaced & go up to 15990. So maybe
there was just an absence of vins reported. The skips are mentioned
again later.

Now for the 1983 models. http://www.dmcnews.com/faq/h_83s.htm
As we all know, there were 4 different serieses of 1983 models. 
According to the above link, the 15000 series cars were built by DMCL,
the 16000 series cars were handled by Consolidated International 
(now KAPAC), the 17000 series cars were built for the Canadian market,
& the 20000 series cars were assembled by the plant managers before
the final closure of the factory. Assuming no skips in vins, here
comes the production figure for 1983 models.
1,000	15000 series cars
+1,000	16000 series cars
+168	17000 series cars
+1	#19874 (in the Chronology)
+105	20000 series cars
=2,274	1983 models

Anyway, what brought about this post was something that I read in
Stainless Steel Illusion.

On page 137, John Lamm writes:
"Initially, Consolidated bought 1,174 De Loreans for $12,500 each,
and 200 more De Loreans a few weeks later."
On page 145:
"Remember that Consolidated had taken control of 1,391 De Loreans in
April and May for a payment of some $17.4 million as a means to give
DMC some financial breathing room. DMC still owed Consolidated almost
$9 million. Now Consolidated was allowed to take control of the
remaining 649 cars DMC had in the U.S., plus the inventory of parts
and a good share of the company's future."
Later on page 145 :
"The Ohio company purchased the De Loreans that were overseas,
including 1,041 that had been completed and 53 that were in the
process of being built. Most of these cars were 1982 models, though
there were some that had been converted to 1983's, plus 100 cars built
to meet Canada's automotive regulations."
Also on 145, the caption of a picture of Sol Shenk, the president of
Consolidated, with a DeLorean:
"Sol Shenk. In total he bought 2,487 De Loreans."

Now no matter how hard I try, I cannot get the above numbers to add
up to 2,487. When I add 1,391+649+1,041+53, I get 3,134. Does anyone
know where 2,487 came from? Maybe this number comes from the same
dimension as 8,583? What cars did Sol Shenk buy/take control of?
All of the 1983's? All 1983's & some 1982's? All of the 1982's and
1983's?

The total production figures of the DeLorean, as I see it, could be
anywhere from 9,187 (6,700+2,487) to over 11,634. (6,700+1,800+3,134)

So, did anyone get this far before falling asleep? Have any comments
on this huge monstrosity of a post?

John Yeoman