Re: [DML] Fiberglass Lotus Deloreans

["Donald Ekhoff" <ekhoff@xxxx>]

I made a pilgrimage to the Lotus factory in Norwich, England about a dozen
years ago. I was hoping to get a factory tour but was they were suspended
because of a high security consulting job they had going. As I had nothing
to do with what remained of the day I had scheduled, I just hung out in the
area. At dinner I mentioned to a friendly chap at the next table my plight.
Turns out he worked at the factory in the paint and body finishing
department. We talked for about two hours about his experiences and in
particular the DeLorean experience. He stated that the cars you mention
were deskined and reskined in stainless (once skins were available) for
checking panel fit, on the road chassis testing and inspection of resulting
wear and tear, training aids, crash testing and ultimatly disposal. He
stated that they had just a few months prior been instructed to throw quite
a sizeable pile of these fiberglass DeLorean panels away as they had set
around for years and were of no value. Also the molds made for their
production were thrown away at the same time. I couldn't get much of a read
as to what he thought of the DeLorean experience as it related to Lotus
Cars, but I did get an ear full regarding VAT Tax (All negative).

Don Ekhoff
Vin 6543


----- Original Message -----
From: "John Elgersma" <delorean@xxxx>
Subject: [DML] Fiberglass Lotus Deloreans


> I am reposting this message as there must be somebody out there with
> information:
> I noted a picture in Stainless Steel Illusion, page 113, that 18 test
> vehicles with fiberglass panels were built by Lotus. Are these orange
> Deloreans still in existence or where they scraped??