Factory Photos

[Dangermouse]

Yes, I know we did this before, but please post your factory photos from whatever source.

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5565&d=1317228427
http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5563&d=1317228424
http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5564&d=1317228426
http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5565&d=1317228427
http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5566&d=1317228428
http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5568&d=1317228429

556255635564556555665568

[dvonk]

i like this thread already! :thumbup:

[Domi]

Here, you can find a lot of interesting pictures :)
http://www.dmc-delorean.de/innerhalb.htm

[Dangermouse]

Matthew Harte, in the UK, who's dad worked in the factory, recently posted these great pictures from a stash in his parents garage (Thanks Matthew)

Factory being built

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=6167&d=1319129380

and test track with PRV equipped Renault Alpine on a run:

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=6165&d=1319129372

GKN Bilston (dampers) promo shot

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=6168&d=1319129384

[Rich W]

Dermot (and Matthew),

Thanks for getting these rare, early photos posted here...all of them are great.

I really like seeing bare DeLorean frames in the background of the GKN photo.

At least two can be seen (both upside down) hanging from the gantry cranes
on the Left side and the Right side of the photo, in the background.

And its always great to see photos of the Test Track in its infancy, with only
"sticks" planted around the track, that would eventually become today's forest.

Later,
Rich W.

[nick sutton]

Dermot/Matthew,
I worked closely with Shaun Harte during his tenure at DeLorean. I occupied an office on the first floor overlooking the site. When Shaun came to work for the company I was booted out to another less spacious accommodation.
About six/eight of us would take the ‘plane to Lotus every two weeks to attend the programme meetings. We did this routine for two years so I got to know Shaun very well. He was one of natures gentlemen.
You know of course that he was the only main board member on site when the Receiver (Sir Kenneth Cork) arrived and he is shown greeting him in Car Crash the documentary.
He went on to lead a pan European sales drive during Receivership and left the company summer of 1982.
I’m still in Northern Ireland if Matthew would like to meet up.
Regards
Nick Sutton

[Sidaries]

Here are my pictures.

[Jimmyvonviggle]

Can't help but wonder looking at all these old photos if one of those cars is mine. It would be so cool to see a shot of ones car on the assembly line.

[Domi]

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/Domi73/DeLorean/Historic/04_308.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/Domi73/DeLorean/Historic/06_161.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/Domi73/DeLorean/Historic/07_165.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/Domi73/DeLorean/Historic/05_179.jpg

[matt clark]

Wow, great find! That's Pilot 25 if I remember right.

[thirdmanj]

I want one of those conveyor thingies. On a side note, I wish there was an option in this country to put a eurostyle plate on ones car. I don't feel they spoil the front end.

[john 05141]

the Windshield came in very early in the production. The dash was already in there at that time. There is a picture where you can clearly see the windshield being installed at http://www.dmc-delorean.de/innerhalb.htm

John

[Dangermouse]

Wow, great find! That's Pilot 25 if I remember right.

RIA 7124 is Pilot 25.

RIA 7126 is MIA (missing in action)

[Dangermouse]

the Windshield came in very early in the production. The dash was already in there at that time. There is a picture where you can clearly see the windshield being installed at http://www.dmc-delorean.de/innerhalb.htm

John

John, I think this is a response to a different thread :)

also, when I click on you like, my virus software goes made

"This web page at www.dmc-delorean.de has been reported as an attack page and has been blocked based on your security preferences."

[Domi]

A few more:
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/Domi73/DeLorean/Historic/lastcar.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/Domi73/DeLorean/Historic/lastcarrear3.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/Domi73/DeLorean/Historic/stickers.jpg

[nick sutton]

This is a nice shot of the transition from the body shop to the assembly area. It's my understanding that due to traceability requirements the VIN number was allocated in the body shop and the associated paperwork attached to the body. Regrettably I've lost track of ownership of the copyright but likely Matt Sommer/ Tony Swann or Robert Lamrock.18193

[Domi]

Thanks for sharing this picture Nick ;)

[Rich W]

This is a nice shot of the transition from the body shop to the assembly area. It's my understanding that due to traceability requirements the VIN number was allocated in the body shop and the associated paperwork attached to the body. Regrettably I've lost track of ownership of the copyright but likely Matt Sommer/ Tony Swann or Robert Lamrock.18193

This is one of the photos from Tony's collection. Tony and I located a large group of factory photos a number of years ago,
but since Tony had the larger collection already at the time, it was just easier to make them part of Tony's official collection.

(I did get to keep a scanned version of all the original photos, which is all I really needed anyway) Great reference Nick.

[arepb]

23409

[Rich W]

Photo of JZD at Factory (without watermark)

23411

[nick sutton]

Taken in the training building. Brendan Mackin is on John's left
Nick

[Rich W]

Taken in the training building. Brendan Mackin is on John's left
Nick

Thanks Nick. Adding a couple more (sorry, the second photo is very low resolution)

The first one has Gene Cafeiro on the right. Any clue on the others?

23416


The second one has Mike Loasby? (wearing the tie) Any clue on the others?

23417

[DMCNI]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/07/ny7uhanu.jpg

What is the fixture & fitting with the DMC logo in the back ground? And what became of them when the factory closed and do any exist today?

[nick sutton]

Thanks Nick. Adding a couple more (sorry, the second photo is very low resolution)

The first one has Gene Cafeiro on the right. Any clue on the others?

23416


The second one has Mike Loasby? (wearing the tie) Any clue on the others?

23417

Gene is clearly in posing mood. The other two people are probably high profile visitors. Not factory workers. The other photo with Mike - I have no idea and neither does Phyllis, Both photo graphs were taken in the training building.
Nick

[dmcnorway]

Taken in the training building. Brendan Mackin is on John's left
Nick

And I remember seeing Brendan Mackin in at least two documentaries; "Car Crash" and "Our Century".
Now, the gentleman on John's right? Who is he? I've seen also seen him in DMC documentaries...

Best wishes
Stian Birkeland

[louielouie2000]

What is the fixture & fitting with the DMC logo in the back ground? And what became of them when the factory closed and do any exist today?

I believe those things helped cure the fiberglass underbodies. Seems like they were some sort of oven?

[DMCNI]

Cheers Louie, I had a suspicion they might have been something related to drying out the fibreglass.

If they did blow out air it cant have been that warm as I've seen tv footage if people walking under them and pushing the bodyshells...unless they were turn off at certain times of the day.

[nick sutton]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/07/ny7uhanu.jpg

What is the fixture & fitting with the DMC logo in the back ground? And what became of them when the factory closed and do any exist today?

This is likely to be the curing oven. The structure is 100 feet in length. You can just see the lozenge shape entry at the far end of the structure. The black bodies were conveyed on a moving track. The photograph was taken during the start-up phase of the company the oven was unlikely to be operating at the time of the photograph. I’ll get confirmation of these facts later this week – If I’m wrong I’ll let you know – but I believe I am correct. The oven – as with all other factory contents was sold in the factory auction organised by the liquidators Henry Butcher and sons.
Nick

[dmcjohn]

The oven ended up being offered for sale recently on the Irish forum, I think it was used as a spray booth up until recently, looks like tie is still in good shape...

http://delorean.ie/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2034&hilit=Oven

Pic attached also.

John

23446

[DMCNI]

Gentlemen thank you for the information, its greatly appreciated.

Good to see the oven was/is still about after all these years :)

[DMCH James]

That first photo with Gene is reportedly a dealer and his wife who were visiting on Holiday in NI. See this:

http://www.entermyworld.com/cat/prop/newsletters/newsfall80e1x1.jpg

James



Thanks Nick. Adding a couple more (sorry, the second photo is very low resolution)

The first one has Gene Cafeiro on the right. Any clue on the others?

23416


The second one has Mike Loasby? (wearing the tie) Any clue on the others?

23417

[DMCH James]

and FWIW, I'd wager that's not Mike Loasby - different bone structure in face. That photo is also in the same newsletter.

James


Thanks Nick. Adding a couple more (sorry, the second photo is very low resolution)

The first one has Gene Cafeiro on the right. Any clue on the others?

23416


The second one has Mike Loasby? (wearing the tie) Any clue on the others?

23417

[Patrick C]

Also notice the preproduction gas tank with the "bubble" towards the front to increase fuel capacity. This was eliminated on production cars.

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=23416

[DMCH James]

Frame isn't coated, either.

[NightFlyer]

Is that an Alpine A310 with the boot/engine cover open in the background of that pic? One of the PRV test mules perhaps...

[SIMid]

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=23416

Thatcher? LOL!

[PlutonimicX]

I stumbled upon this photo taken by a member of a Lotus forum. According to the source this was taken at Hethel in 1980.

25086

[Dangermouse]

Fantastic photo!

[matt clark]

Amazing find! What was the forum?

I love the SD1/Esprit lights in the rear fascia. Now I wonder what car the green one is? The plate on the back of it says "02" but it can't be D2 because that was a yellow car, and besides that the green one is the Giugiaro restyle, and D2 was the original Collins shape.

[PlutonimicX]

I found it on this forum: http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/40484-cool-lotus-related-memorabilia-lets-see-yours/page-2. Hopefully someone can spot this photo on here and maybe identify it. Who knows, maybe the folks over at that Lotus forum might have some more hidden treasures.

[Dangermouse]

Isn't this JZD?

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=25098&d=1391703835

From page 1 of that lotus forum thread

[Dangermouse]

Just realized that many of those posts are by Mike Kimberley's son :)

[matt clark]

From L-R - Gene Cafiero, Mike Kimberly, Colin Spooner, JZD, Fred Bushell, Colin Chapman.

Edit: and a mini Moonraker boat it looks like :)

[PlutonimicX]

Just realized that many of those posts are by Mike Kimberley's son :)

I wonder if he or anyone else on the forum might have some photos stashed away that they would be willing to share with us!

[DMCNI]

I would love to see photos of the cars travelling in the lorries through Dunmurry, Finaghy, Lisburn road etc on their way to the docks...these photos are bound to exist in peoples private collections. I should maybe put a request out on the UK/Irish forums.

[matt clark]

25118

Click for big

[DMCNI]

Cheers Matt :)

[Dangermouse]

I've got that one up on my office wall :hihi:

[nick sutton]

From L-R - Gene Cafiero, Mike Kimberly, Colin Spooner, JZD, Fred Bushell, Colin Chapman.

Edit: and a mini Moonraker boat it looks like :)

The painting in the Lotus Board room on the left is of a grand prix start from memory - although it's been 25 years since I left Lotus I'm pretty sure.
Nick

[vin6635]

I stumbled upon this photo taken by a member of a Lotus forum. According to the source this was taken at Hethel in 1980.

25086

This is a really awesome picture! So is that D2 in the green color? Looks like the plate says D2.

And the car next to it looks just like the "production style" car pictures on Chris' page. It has a redesigned front fascia and toll booth windows. Don't know about the blue drivers door but the car overall (from what we can see) looks very similar.

http://www.pjgrady.co.uk//GenericContent.aspx?PageType=Pilot_Chronology&ShowContent=Pilot_Cars.html

Thoughts anyone?

[matt clark]

D2 was a yellow Bill Collins style car, the green one is a Guigario restyle. It's possible that the plate says "02" on it maybe indicating it as the second restyle prototype, but who knows. That doesn't line up with a similar style plate saying "D12" seen on other cars but it's not D2 as we know it.

[Sidaries]

I wrote a quite long post for a blog. The language is Hungarian, so it will not be understandable for you (and Google Translate is not too good in Hungarian), but there are a lot of picture and maybe a few were not seen by you, before.
http://ritkanlathatotortenelem.blog.hu/2014/11/21/kihalt_automarkak_5_delorean

[Tillsy]

I don't have a a friggen clue what that page says, but they are indeed very nice photos :)

[dn010]

My Hungarian isn't the best, but it's an awesome page, thanks for posting that!


I wrote a quite long post for a blog. The language is Hungarian, so it will not be understandable for you (and Google Translate is not too good in Hungarian), but there are a lot of picture and maybe a few were not seen by you, before.
http://ritkanlathatotortenelem.blog.hu/2014/11/21/kihalt_automarkak_5_delorean

[Sidaries]

My Hungarian isn't the best, but it's an awesome page, thanks for posting that!

It surely is an awesome page. Lots of old photos in every topic.
The name of the page is: "Rarely Seen History", and the Delorean is in the "Extinct Car Marques" series.

[Trstno1]

Awesome photos guys! Thanks for sharing.

[Sidaries]

I think we can close this thread. :)

https://www.facebook.com/stephen.armstrong.3367/media_set?set=a.134732746564849.14707.100000843737 405&type=3

[Dangermouse]

"Sorry, this content isn't available right nowThe link you followed may have expired, or the page may only be visible to an audience you're not in."


:thumbdown:

[Sidaries]

I was afraid of this. So I downloaded all pictures and attach them now. A few of them were here before, but there are new one either.

35517355023550135500354993549835497354963549535494 35493354923549135503355043551635515355143551335512 35511355103550935508355073550635505354903548935488 35473354723547135470354693546835467354663546535464 35463354623547435475354873548635485354843548335482 35481354803547935478354773547635461

[louielouie2000]

Sidaries, thank you so much for taking the time to upload all of those pictures!

It just occurred to me... not all of these pictures are from the factory. For instance, in pictures 2 & 43 the cars are angle parked like a suburban parking lot. Whereas every single picture I've ever seen of the DeLorean factory, the cars are all queued up in straight lines, facing the same direction. Then I noticed in those same pictures that there were buildings which I knew were not at the DMCL facility. So those 2 particular photos must have been taking at the shipping docks. I guess the crane in picture 43 should have been the giveaway! Fascinating stuff. I love finding Easter eggs in these historic photos.

[Sidaries]

Sidaries, thank you so much for taking the time to upload all of those pictures!

It just occurred to me... not all of these pictures are from the factory. For instance, in pictures 2 & 43 the cars are angle parked like a suburban parking lot. Whereas every single picture I've ever seen of the DeLorean factory, the cars are all queued up in straight lines, facing the same direction. Then I noticed in those same pictures that there were buildings which I knew were not at the DMCL facility. So those 2 particular photos must have been taking at the shipping docks. I guess the crane in picture 43 should have been the giveaway! Fascinating stuff. I love finding Easter eggs in these historic photos.

Yes, there are a few, which are not in the factory, however I thought, that those are maybe in one of the QACs. Minor error, still worths to see them. :)

[Dangermouse]

Yes, 2 & 43 are at the shipping docks in Belfast.

The first one of the cars on the transporter is in Wellington Place in downtown Belfast near the City Hall on the way the docks. I am not sure where the other transporter picture is taken. It is a different NIC (Northern Ireland Carriers) truck/lorry maneuvering through some structure, possibly at the plant, or an entrance gate at the docks perhaps. There is what looks like a red motorbike parked, so it is not a shot at speed.

[MCMDMC]

Are there any photos of the last DeLoreans being built at the factory? Also, my car was signed by to employees Bert Spiers and Peter Cunninham, any photos of them?

Thanks!

[Lou and "Boo"]

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/Domi73/DeLorean/Historic/stickers.jpg

I'm sure there are some dimwits that would say the car seen here had the Back to the Future (BTTF) abbreviation wrong.

Even though this was almost ten years before the film was a thought.

[louielouie2000]

Are there any photos of the last DeLoreans being built at the factory? Also, my car was signed by to employees Bert Spiers and Peter Cunninham, any photos of them?

Thanks!

The new book DeLorean - Celebrating the Impossible does document the final cars being assembled & auctioned. However, I don't see anything about those two employees in the book. You can always reach out to the authors Chris Parnham & Andrew Withers; or to Nick Sutton, another author & former DeLorean employee, to see if they can give you any more info on them.

[Dangermouse]

Are there any photos of the last DeLoreans being built at the factory? Also, my car was signed by to employees Bert Spiers and Peter Cunninham, any photos of them?

Thanks!

What VIN is your car? Is it possible/late enough that it was signed by Kapac/Consolidated personnel?

Where was it signed?

[Mark D]

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/Domi73/DeLorean/Historic/stickers.jpg

Could someone explain what the codes mean? I'm assuming they got their quality assurance sticker when they passed inspection at a certain stage?

Just guessing:
B = Body
C= Chassis
T = Trim
F = Final Assembly? Frame?

W.t. = ???
R.t = ???

This car looks to be finished on the lot awaiting shipment, so what are the final two checks that are still blank?

[MCMDMC]

VIN 20102, which would be third from the last car built. Here are images of the cave writings I found.

37605

37606

[Dangermouse]

VIN 20102, which would be third from the last car built. Here are images of the cave writings I found.

37605

37606

that's neat.

[Dangermouse]

Could someone explain what the codes mean? I'm assuming they got their quality assurance sticker when they passed inspection at a certain stage?

Just guessing:
B = Body
C= Chassis
T = Trim
F = Final Assembly? Frame?

W.t. = ???
R.t = ???

This car looks to be finished on the lot awaiting shipment, so what are the final two checks that are still blank?

Guesses, but;

WT = Water Test, where they drove the car through the water spray apparatus?
RT would then be Road Test

possibly the two empty spaces are just areas for future tests - all the cars in the background have two black rectangles on them also. Or possibly QAC spaces??

[Lou and "Boo"]

VIN 20102, which would be third from the last car built. Here are images of the cave writings I found.

37605

37606

That's really cool ! The cave drawings on my car just say the vin number in marker under the headliner area on each door.

[Lou and "Boo"]

I especially like the "Delorean Safety Vehicle" picture where the grill had DSV on it. That emblem would be so collectible. If anyone has one it would be James Espey, Steve Wynne or Nick Sutton.

[Mark D]

VIN 20102, which would be third from the last car built. Here are images of the cave writings I found.

37605

37606

What an amazing find!

With your VIN being so close to the final production VIN I'm not surprised that certain things were assembled on your car later than the actual "last" VIN. From what I've read the final handful (100 or so?) cars were those that were left on line after the final plant shutdown and completed by a few remaining managers. There would be no reason for them to actually finish out the final cars in sequence according to the VIN, so who knows what car was the last to be physically built.

[louielouie2000]

With your VIN being so close to the final production VIN I'm not surprised that certain things were assembled on your car later than the actual "last" VIN. From what I've read the final handful (100 or so?) cars were those that were left on line after the final plant shutdown and completed by a few remaining managers. There would be no reason for them to actually finish out the final cars in sequence according to the VIN, so who knows what car was the last to be physically built.

Exactly- the 20000 series cars were all completed after the factory had closed- KAPAC was essentially finishing the assorted cars left in the factory which were in varying states of assembly. It's also worth noting 20104 was the last VIN assigned to a DeLorean built in Northern Ireland- 20105 was assembled in America at a later date from the spare 24k gold panels. 20104 was most likely the last DeLorean whose build was started at the factory- but who knows which car was truly the last one to roll out completed there. Throughout the production run various cars were pulled aside for quality control reasons and completed at later dates, yet their earlier VINs were often (but not always) retained. The fact that 20102 had the last rear fascia fitted to it means it likely had some sort of ornery issue which needed to be addressed. Who knows, this could have caused it to be rolled out the door after 20104.

[Mark D]

Found where this photo was taken on google maps:

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=61402&d=1570652834

https://www.google.com/maps/@54.5973245,-5.9288767,3a,50.2y,322.64h,87.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sWpeaOqebJaM3Qud9sH-uOQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

[FLUX @88]

Found where this photo was taken on google maps:

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=61402&d=1570652834

https://www.google.com/maps/@54.5973245,-5.9288767,3a,50.2y,322.64h,87.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sWpeaOqebJaM3Qud9sH-uOQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en



That's pretty cool!!

[Henrik]

Probably a ridiculous observation but I have to ask: In the old photo with the transporter... does it say "Toilets" on the sign on the left? Some sort of underground bathroom in the middle of the street? In the Today photo I see no sign off it ever having been there. I am sure there is an explanation.

[pk2678]

Probably a ridiculous observation but I have to ask: In the old photo with the transporter... does it say "Toilets" on the sign on the left? Some sort of underground bathroom in the middle of the street? In the Today photo I see no sign off it ever having been there. I am sure there is an explanation.

Here is the explanation:

https://www.geograph.ie/photo/779638

The toilet has been filled in. If you turn left in the Google Street View, you see the City Hall.