DeLorean stuff to do in Belfast?

[Ade B]

I'm in Belfast for another day and just wondered if there's anything DMC related to visit?

Anything worth seeing at the factory?
(anyone know the actual address, I can't seem to find it).

[Rissy]

...you'll not be able to visit the factory without prior arrangement (and even then, only if you're lucky without a huge gathering type arrangement which was last done in 2011 for the 30th anniversary event in Belfast)

You can get to the entrance to the factory compound (now split up into various smaller company properties) but there is obviously now no longer any DMC sign there to tell you that you're there.

Anyway, the address for the compound entrance is:

just on the A512 where there is a round about junction where McKinstry Road and Creighton Road and Stewartstown Road meet.

The GPS coordinates are: 54.545553,-6.026972

The start of the test track is at: 54.547569,-6.014376 (But you cannot in anyway get to that without getting through security gates with prior special arrangement organised through the company now operating in that part of the compound.)

Enjoy your last day in Belfast.

[Ade B]

Thanks for that! Looking on google maps there seems to be two entrances, one general, and one for Montupet....
Wonder if there is anything at all accessible, or even worth seeing still in reality if I swing by later today?

Is the test track still complete?

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=utf-8 ... CDAQ8gEwAA

[Rissy]

Ade B Wrote:Thanks for that! Looking on google maps there seems to be two entrances, one general, and one for Montupet....
Wonder if there is anything at all accessible, or even worth seeing still in reality if I swing by later today?

Is the test track still complete?

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=utf-8 ... CDAQ8gEwAA

Nothing is accessible. Every road you look at in the compound, trying to get to the test track (the only thing worth seeing out doors nowadays) you can see the dark shadows of the security gates which you CANNOT get past. You cannot see the track without entering the restricted areas of the compound. I simply gave you the closest one to the track location for an idea.

The test track is still in one piece as can been seen on Google maps, but the last time it was cleared of debris and vegetation growth from the surrounding trees etc was for the 2011 30th anniversary gathering. To my belief, it's never been touched since, and it's probably growing over again since there is no interest for anyone to keep it clear except for us DMC fans who indeed cleared it in time for May/June 2011. There has been talk of the track being destroyed, flattened, and houses etc built on it, and only the suffering economy I think has been the thing that has saved it to this day...

[Chris Williams]

Quote:There has been talk of the track being destroyed, flattened, and houses etc built on it, and only the suffering economy I think has been the thing that has saved it to this day...

Yes I dont think your wrong on that one, if Irelands house building had continued as it was going then I'm sure it would have been gone by now.
Chris

[Ade B]

Well I've just had a wander around the old factory site! Popped in late, gave the guard a wave and I was in!
Got right up to where the track starts, but that area was sadly locked!


Still good to see in the factory though, and have a general nosey!


Also earlier in the day I found that there was a DeLorean exhibition in Belfast's city centre.
Very small, but the guy working said there was plans to expand it significantly in the future.
They even offered tours of DeLorean areas of interest in this car for £40, but apparently business was slow at this time of year so they're having a break. Good to see, but I'm also very surprised that there's not much more made of the DeLorean in Belfast. Seems like a tourist oportunity going to waste!

[Guinney1971]

glad you got to see *something* DMC related in Belfast.

Are you an overseas visitor to the UK?

[Rich Hanlon]

It#s long been suggested that more could be made of the history of DMC in Belfast - Chris P once wrote on here that he'd done the open-top bus tour and there was no mention if it, even though when specifically asked, the tour guide was quite knowledgeable on the subject.

I'm pleased that you found some reference to the DeLorean story in Belfast though - where was this car displayed?

The other premanent DeLorean exhibition is at the Ulster folk and Trasnport museum in Cultra - just follow the coast-road out past the harbour/ George Best airport. They have one of the endurance test cars on display with the inset front driving lamps - they also have a couple of early fibreglass mockups tho' they're usually in storage. The car itself is in disappointing condition, unfortunately.

When I was last there (on DeLorean-related activities) in 2011, there was also one on display inside Eddie Irvine's go-karting place, but not sure if that was just there for the 30th Anniversary celebrations or not...

[Ade B]

Overseas visitor? Well, to Belfast yes, lol. I'm from Glasgow :wink:

The DeLorean experience, ino here:
http://www.qype.co.uk/place/2415823-The ... op-Belfast

Shame I didn't hear about the Ulster folk and Trasnport museum exhibit earlier, I would have dropped by that too.

Have to say though going to the factory was great..... Just knowing that's where it all happened was quite a buzz. They really should make an attraction of it though. And it's a massive waste that the legendary test track is just sitting there going to waste :roll:
Imagine it as a tourist attraction where you can pay to be taken a blast around the track and be able to see the car steering itself around the banked corner! I bet that would have plenty potential...

[dmc4087]

The work the guys did clearing it was brilliant.

Its probably back to the old state by now.

[Ade B]

Wow! That's one hell of a transformation!

Terrible that it's just been left to be reclaimed by nature by the current owners :roll: