Usable Delorean probably wanted...

[RichardKC6]

I've been turning this over in my head a lot, and considering alternatives like maybe a Corvette or 911 for sheer 80s-cheese, or a VX220, since I liked the Elise I've driven...

Any of those options will take me further from owning a Delorean and are just a distraction.

If anyone knows of Deloreans coming up for auction in June/July (after June 19th I think, as that's when the house sale is all finished off, done and dusted) I'd appreciate a heads up. Likewise, I cannot afford the asking prices for the "mint" and "specialised reseller" marketed Deloreans I've seen. If I can get one with a higher mileage, a solid chassis and MOST things working - working well enough to have an MOT and do the occasional decent length of trip - then I'd be perfectly happy with potentially needing to replace a bendy fascia, dinged panel or replace and tinker with bits. As long as I get the initial fix of being able to use the car for a few months. My preference is for a grey interior and automatic (since, though she's scared of LHD and indeed, driving anything that belongs to anyone else including me, my gf could legally drive it then). Messed-up registration dates so it's on an A-prefix would also be hugely desirable to me since I have an A-prefix plate I was given when I passed my test.

I can definitely afford £10K. I can maybe push to £12K. Once I break that level I really struggle to justify it at this stage, as we've also got a house to buy!

I'd also be perfectly happy to pay an amount to "borrow" one for a year, or a summer. Joining a Classic Car Club would cost me £3,000 and none of the ones I've seen are a: local or b: have Deloreans on their stocklist, so I'd be pretty comfortable writing off £3K and not actually owning something. I've lost more in less time on considerably less interesting cars. I have a garage, and would assume to be responsible for maintaining the car and insuring, etc.; I also have a very good lawyer friend who could draw up an appropriate contract, if required.

TBH, I'm not expecting that idea to appeal to anyone, but if you're maybe losing storage or similar, it might suit someone.

Of course, if there's no chance of getting a Delorean in that sort of budget (the cheapest I've seen recently is the appealing-but-in-NI C-plater) then I'll wait until I've got fewer other demands on my money.

[A Van]

You can borrow mine if you fancy doing the following.

Remove and respray fascias.
Replace evaporator core (not very nice job).
Remove auto gearbox and repair leak (not a very nice job)

[RichardKC6]

A Van Wrote:You can borrow mine if you fancy doing the following.

Remove and respray fascias.
Replace evaporator core (not very nice job).
Remove auto gearbox and repair leak (not a very nice job)

Heh, the core maybe, the auto box - well, I'd certainly consider paying someone else to do that, but I doubt I could do it myself. Is the evaporator a "dash out, rip out the interior, cry at all the bits" sort of task? Tedious, precision and patient restoration and repair of interior stuff I can do, particularly if the headache is largely "buying new parts and fitting them". I see lots of nice R134a upgrade components online which seem to work out at about $1,000 or so (parts) to convert the whole AC system.

This is, of course, assuming you're being serious Since I've never tried to fix an autobox before, and wouldn't want to start learning on a Delorean, then I'd just end up paying a specialist to fix it, which I'm sure any car owner would prefer to have the control over who and how it was done.

Fascias - since they need plasticiser in the paint, I'd expect Lab-tab would be the guys to talk to about having those done right. They do lots of paint and coatings.

If you are being serious, does the gearbox prevent it being driven safely (and by that I mean safely for the components as well as the occupants and other road users), and how long could I borrow it for :twisted:

[steve.s]

hi

as i said before mine may be coming up, but is a black manual!.

would be less than £16k though!.

just changing fuel filter, plugs and battery, as its been sorned for 5 months!.

labtab did my wheels, but rubbed down also and 2 pack+laquer for the exact colour!.

Steve
vin 1621

[A Van]

Quote:Heh, the core maybe, the auto box - well, I'd certainly consider paying someone else to do that, but I doubt I could do it myself. Is the evaporator a "dash out, rip out the interior, cry at all the bits" sort of task? Tedious, precision and patient restoration and repair of interior stuff I can do, particularly if the headache is largely "buying new parts and fitting them". I see lots of nice R134a upgrade components online which seem to work out at about $1,000 or so (parts) to convert the whole AC system

The entire system is R134a and brand new, the only thing that hasnt been replaced is the core...and it does need replacing as there is ...it isnt too bad of a job just time consuming!

As for the gearbox, its ok to drive it...its actually the main seal between the engine and gearbox which is the problem..its not flooding out...but once it gets worse then it will have to be sorted...I know of at least three other owners whose also leak in exactly the same place!

As for the fascias I have only seen one place do them properly, as mine were sprayed by someone who clearly didnt know what they were doing...they will need to rubbed right back...the only place I would get them done is PJ Grady Europe.Chris makes them look like they are straight from the factory!

[RichardKC6]

Having seen what you've done with the car so far, it seems that it's really close to being an absolutely mint one. I did wonder if it was an end seal. Is the engine difficult to remove? I've done Beetles, CXs and Capris before, but they're relatively easy (CXs are just about being patient with the pipework and wiring).

I'd be perfectly happy to take the fascias to PJ Grady for painting - I was just thinking about what would give a good result that is easily accessible to me.

Mostly, I'd be really amused if you ended up being the route to me getting to "have" a Delorean somehow, having had the red one which I'd been going to get when the last house sold!

Steve - I'm not so fussy about the spec that any particular aspect is going to put me off significantly, it's more "whether I can afford it without ruining my savings". Our house sold for more than we'd originally sold it far (then it fell through, this time it's sorted) so I feel I can play for a bit (and indeed, I don't see a Delorean as an investment but I do see it as "not losing much money" so if I find I need that extra bit of cash to buy this place, then I can sell it). I should really come up and see your car!