----- Original Message ----- From: <senatorpack@xxxx> To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 5:54 PM Subject: Re: [DML] Rob Grady's new shocks > > > Dear DML, > > I just wanted you to know what a fantastic experience I had in New York > last week. I was at PJ Grady DeLorean, Long Island, NY AKA...DeLorean Heaven > (read on). > I wanted to share with you my thoughts on how well Rob Grady's famous > Green DeLorean, sounds as well as handles. And some of the new products and > kits that he is offering to the DeLorean market. > > First a little background. I was impressed with Rob and his family & > staff when I first meet them in the early 1990s. At that time and for some > time, I wanted to buy a DeLorean, but I had no clue what to look for when > buying a car. > After many disappointing encounters with butchered DeLoreans and some > intimidating people within the DeLorean circle, I made an appointment to meet > with Rob Grady. I found out through word of mouth (at a DOA event) that Rob > was the only original full service DeLorean dealership still in operation. > When I arrived at his shop, my jaw was on the floor! Years of people telling > me that parts and service were not available, DeLoreans were not a good car, > all of the myths and misnomers about the DeLorean were squelched the instant > I arrived in... DeLorean Heaven! > > Rob took the time from his busy schedule to show me his facility, meet > his staff, drive and explain the working of a DeLorean. I was not only very > impressed with Rob and his staff, but also how busy they were. (and still > are). > As Rob and I drove around and talked, I explained to him that his car > was the first well tuned and cared for DeLorean I drove. How the other > DeLoreans were (many were neglected) and how I thought they were a little > faster and better handling (as most of us do). > Rob told me that he was working on his personal DeLorean, the Green > DeLorean. He went on to say he was developing a simple kit that he wanted to > offer to increase the handling and performance of the car. Rob was working on > a Rear and Front spring lowering kit in his green DeLorean for prototype > testing at that time. (early 1990s) > > Last week, Rob showed me the New Front suspension Spring Kit and > Front and Rear Shock Kit custom made for the DeLorean. Rob further explained > that only the front spring height needed correction, (only the front was > raised at the factory) and the rear spring kit he was developing was a little > too low for his taste. > Rob explained how they were made, the geometry of the set up and how > well it improves the ride and handling of the car. The engineering and the > manufacturing of the shocks and springs comes from one of the best > manufacturers of shocks and springs. Definitely high quality and lots of > attention to detail. > For testing purposes, Rob had several (1/2 a dozen or so) DeLoreans > fitted across the country with prototype shocks and springs. Rob wanted the > testing of the kit to include different climates and road conditions. The > shocks and springs went through a one year testing period across the United > States with no reported problems. The settings and specifications for the > shocks were finalized, and the green light was given to start production. > > As a former motocross racer I know the importance of a good shocks and > springs. I noticed how well they were made, and after doing some reading I > knew what to look for in the springs and shocks and these definitely have > them. I could see that these new springs could take a beating with no > problem. I also like the fact that the shocks are totally rebuildable. > > The new exhaust kit for the DeLorean makes impressive performance and > sounds with the custom exhaust manifolds, and free flow muffler (sounds like > a Porsche 930 turbo). The engine has more pep and a confident throaty sound > from the car. Again high quality and serious attention to detail. > The new free flow exhaust at highway speeds around town and while > shifting, definitely kept me well informed what the engine was doing and how > well the engine was performing. When we were driving enthusiastically the new > free flow exhaust sounded just right and didn't seem obnoxious or too loud. > As the Rpm's were climbing in the DeLorean the exhaust hung right in there, > the exhaust note climbing to just the right pitch of a well made European > car. (I remember Rob's exhaust design and prototype for the DeLorean back in > 1995.) At this point I was ready for a serious drive with the new components. > > When I was offered to drive the Green DeLorean with the new shocks, front > springs and exhaust kit, I jumped at the chance. However, I wanted a ride in > his beautiful Lotus Esprit s4S first. We decided to start with the Lotus and > finish up the day with the Green DeLorean. I have been in some older 1970s > Esprit S2 and 1980s and pre 1993 (before GM) Lotus Esprits S3 before, so I am > familiar with older Esprit's performance and handling. > The Lotus Esprit s4S has unbelievable performance with handling to > match. The handling in the Lotus feels very sophisticated and exceptionally > engineered. I can understand why John DeLorean chose Lotus to develop the > DeLorean. I paid particular attention to the ride and comfort as well as the > lack of "sway" of the Lotus in the curves. > > The way the car stayed flat, not leaning or rolling into the curves, > proves that Lotus cars are one of the worlds best engineered sports cars > around. I am proud Lotus engineered the DeLorean. The Lotus begged to be > pushed (fast) in the long stretches of road, it also wanted and did eat up > the curves in the road. Again the lack of body roll was amazing thanks to > factory research and development. Something the DeLorean really didn't > have...or did it? > > This weekend was the second time in 5 years that I had my jaw drop to the > floor in a DeLorean! (This is where it gets exciting.) > > We put the Lotus away and the Green DeLorean was waiting for us. Rob had > the Rear and Front spring prototypes replaced with the New Front spring kit > he is now offering and stock rear springs. Rob drove first and I was in the > passenger seat. > > As we went into some S type curves, my first thought was how much of a > vast improvement the car handles from the stock set up. The DeLorean felt > light on its feet while driving. Rob took the car and went into tight curves > at 45 to 50 and the car stayed almost perfectly flat! Totally Impressive! > The stock DeLoreans mild understeer was not evident to me in the Green > DeLorean. Rob's new suspension has very much improved the stock ride and > handling to a more acceptable sports car level. The Green DeLorean has become > a First Class Tuned Performance DeLorean. > > Rob let me drive and seriously get into the turns and curves. I could > immediately feel more control in the Green DeLorean over the stock DeLorean > front suspension. The stock DeLoreans seem to sway and roll in sharp curves > and turns (the underseer) and generally feels heavy, or overweight. > As I drove, I thought of the Lotus Esprit characteristics and how the > Green DeLorean are similar. They have more similarities than differences. > The way the new DeLorean suspension is set up and constructed, it feels well > made like the Lotus. Someone driving a DeLorean for the first time would > think, this supercar has excellent handling! > > Sincerely, > Mike Pack > VIN 3713 > > > Before posting messages or replies, see the posting policy rules at: > www.dmcnews.com/Admin/rules.html > > To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address: > moderator@xxxx > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >