one-key, two-key and VIN 5386

[James Espey <james@xxxx>]

Here's an educated guess...

Vin 5386 has an October 1981 build plate on it, but the doors say 12th
September (but no VIN like most cars) and has a two-key system. Two-key
systems supposedly went away at VIN 4200. A look at the VIN Chronology
maintained by Knut Grimsrud shows that September VINs were from about 3673
through at least 4202, at most 4213. So 4200 would have been at the very end
of September. Again, the doors on 5386 say 12th September. According to SSI,
the doors were assembled on a separate line from the car. For one reason or
another the doors were assembled but not used right away, and then they were
later installed on 5386 in the month of October.

There are also instances of cars being completed, but with VINs that are out
of sync with known build dates. So, it's also possible that the entire car
was assembled in mid-September, and then a problem arose and it was set
aside until later when the VIN was assigned after it was straightened out.
Some memo's allude to cars with emissions issues after assembly. But since
there are no markings on the doors regarding the VIN, I think the former is
more likely.

James Espey
DeLorean Motor Company



> That is what I'm thinking too. I believe that this is
> a one key system. There are some really strange things
> about this car that don't click. certain numbers I'm
> finding and other werid stuff. Who knows what was
> replaced and what is original, theres no way of
> telling. Theres like zip concrete history on my D.
> 
> These are the scribles on my doors. Passenger door:
> 130901/11R 12th Sept 14 KH
> these are above the headliner
> 
> On the Drivers door:
> 130901/11L 
> WR5085X
> 
> these are above the headliner
> 
> the S is actually a 5 now that you point it out.
> 
> Any clue what all this means?
>