DeLorean Limousine - Fiberglass Fabrication Phase Photos

[Rich W]

Again, looking through my DeLorean Project Photo archives, I came across
some fiberglass fabrication photos, taken in three phases, back in 2009.

P1 photos are Phase 1, P2 photos are Phase 2, and P3 photos are Phase 3.

Phase 1 was underbody (pods) arrangement and alignment.
Phase 2 was underbody (pods) attachment and fabrication.
Phase 3 was underbody (single entity) finish work and paint.

Attaching first sets of photos below, for all three phases, and more may be
added at a later date, using the P1, P2 and P3 designations.

Thanks,
Rich W.

[Rich W]

Phase 1 was the arrangement and the alignment of the underbody pods.

This was made easier by the use of my full steel deck, 36ft flatbed trailer,
to use as a relatively uniform base to align underbody pods on my SS frame.

String alignment was used on several areas of the car (top and both sides)
for reference alignment. (strings were moved out of way, with doors open)

Reference photos just before fiberglass fabrication was to begin, April 2009.

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5183

Later,
Rich W.

[Rich W]

Phase 2 was the primary fiberglass fabrication process phase, creating one
DeLorean Limousine underbody from the three donor underbody pods.

Of all three of these phases, this phase may have the most photos added,
moving from the floor/tunnel sections, to side wall sections, to roof sections.

The first set of fiberglass fabrication photos show the raw fiberglass sections
completed, prior to any final detail work and prior to most fiberglass painting.

Reference photos just after fiberglass fabrication was completed, May 2009.

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5185

Later,
Rich W.

[Rich W]

Phase 3 had work begin on the DeLorean Limousine underbody as a single
underbody entity, and the first steps were to apply some black paint.

The exterior raw fiberglass was painted first, followed by the floor section,
the side wall section and the roof section, but NOT the tunnel section.

Drilling and installing the tunnel underbody bolts would be "easier" with raw
fiberglass rather than painted fiberglass, since light passes through this raw
material (using a flashlight), making the alignment for drilling much easier.
Paint will be applied to the tunnel once the underbody is fully attached.

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Later,
Rich W.

[thirdmanj]

This creation is my favorite to date. I can't wait to see its completion. What power plant will you be using, and will it still be rear mounted?

[Rich W]

The DeLorean Limo has retained all the stock locations for installation
of a PRV drivetrain, so that it still the initial intention for a powerplant.

I have not yet decided whether to install my custom 3.0L PRV engine
built by Marty Maier or save the engine for my Roadster engine upgrade.

I do not intend to "race" the limo, so as long as the engine has plenty
of torque, like a SuperCharged PRV, that should be more than enough
to help the limo "get out of its own way" and up to expressway speeds,
but most of its driving will most likely be low speed cruising anyway.

Thanks,
Rich W.

[Ryan King]

The DeLorean Limo has retained all the stock locations for installation
of a PRV drivetrain, so that it still the initial intention for a powerplant.

I have not yet decided whether to install my custom 3.0L PRV engine
built by Marty Maier or save the engine for my Roadster engine upgrade.

I do not intend to "race" the limo, so as long as the engine has plenty
of torque, like a SuperCharged PRV, that should be more than enough
to help the limo "get out of its own way" and up to expressway speeds,
but most of its driving will most likely be low speed cruising anyway.

Thanks,
Rich W.

I just don't see a stock PRV being able to push around so much weight..especially when loaded down with a Limo full of people.

[Rich W]

Who said anything about stock PRV?

First paragraph was about stock engine location,
retaining the rear engine configuration.

Engine options were both based on PRV, but the
options were custom 3.0L PRV or a SuperCharged
PRV (more specifically either 2.8L or 3.0L PRV).

No mention of stock PRV here.

[Ryan King]

Who said anything about stock PRV?

First paragraph was about stock engine location,
retaining the rear engine configuration.

Engine options were both based on PRV, but the
options were custom 3.0L PRV or a SuperCharged
PRV (more specifically either 2.8L or 3.0L PRV).

No mention of stock PRV here.

Sorry Rich, I failed to see that you said that. Carry on. :)

How do you plan on hooking up the linkages to the front of the car?

[stevedmc]

The limo looks like it is coming along great but I foresee one problem. Rich probably won't be completing the limo any time soon if he needs a new binnacle from DMCH. I can see it now, a brand new and shiny limo riding around with no binnacle. Ouch!

[Rich W]

Sorry, took a few days off from daily Internet use, working on a few
projects over a three day weekend. Lots done, but little rest.

Luckily, I do have a few spare used parts that should work just fine,
in case new parts are unavailable (or too expensive) to replace some
or most of the good, used parts I have "reserved" for use in the Limo
project. Of course, I have plenty of custom interior parts that need
to be fabricated as well, so recovered or reconditioned binnacles and
dash covers are pretty low on my list of parts to worry about having.

One part that I do not currently need, but I will have a little difficulty
fabricating myself (if needed) would be a new replacement windshield.

Again, I hope I will not need one or more soon, but it would certainly
be comforting to know that part is once again available, in quantity.

Later,
Rich W.

[john 05141]

Hi Rich,

Always impressed with your work and skills.
All that would not be allowed on the European (certainly not on Belgian) roads. Deloreans are normally not allowed either, that is why we drive so called "prototype" Delorean-cars.

But what I was wondering is if you will take this limosine to DCS in Orlando? I would really like to see it.

john

[Rich W]

Hi John,

Thanks for your comments about my DeLorean Projects. I build my creations
for myself and others to enjoy, so I try to plan to have at least one or more
of my projects (or other unique DeLoreans) at the DCS Events and DCS 2012
will be no exception...even though I need to traverse the Smokey Mountains.

The plan is to have the DeLorean Limousine at DCS 2012 as a Work-in-Progress
(whether it is completed or not), as long as I have the required vehicles to do
the transport. I have the trailers and I have at least one truck, so far, and I
hope to acquire another tow vehicle soon, either a full-size RV or a bigger SUV.

The DeLorean Roadster Convertible may also be ready as a Work-in-Progress for
DCS 2012, in its new, latest form (with or without a top), but like the D Limo, it
will depend on time and funds available to get this project and the D Limo further
toward completion. I do not think the D Rex will traverse the mountains this time.

However, if all goes well with planning of DCS 2014, there will be a good chance
I could have the D Rex, the D Limo, the D Roadster and others, all on display then.

Later,
Rich W.

[stevedmc]

Someday I want to fly into Chicago and be picked up in the Delorean limo. Now that would be sweet.

[john 05141]

Hi Rich,

It is great what you can built.
I can immagine it must be quite a trip from Chicago to Orlando, especially with a "stretched" Delorean on a trailer. I hope you can make it with the limo, time will tell.

john

[Rich W]

Hi John,

I know there are many DeLorean enthusiasts waiting to see this project
in person, so I plan to have it there, either done or as a work-in-progress.

If the complete exterior is done, I may consider transporting it on my 36ft
open trailer, but depending upon a number of other factors, I may decide
to transport it in my 32ft enclosed trailer (kind of "hidden" until the debut).

Doing an open transport (like with the D Rex) draws all kinds of attention
and can make for "security" issues when stopping over for a night along
the way, so we will have to wait and see where we are by next Spring.

Thanks,
Rich W.

BTW: Yes, the 1200 miles, each way, will be a very long transport.