Would like to buy a project car.

[penciltester]

Hey guys. I had sent an email to the Delorean Owners Association and Josh Haldeman was kind enough to point me in this direction. Anyway this is a copy of the email:

Hi Guys I was wondering if you ever ran across any DeLorean "project" cars. I am moving to the west coast in about a year and my dad was wondering if I would want to get a "project" car for us to work on over the next year before I move. The car would be mine after it was fixed up. Seeing that I know nothing about cars this would be a good learning experience for me. We don't have a ton of money but he told me to pick a car and well I've always wanted a DeLorean. I was hoping to be able to find one with a decent body and interior. The whole point would to have to rebuild everything else so if the engine is shot and transmission is falling apart thats fine. Anyway thanks in advance.


I see one listed in this forum but its body seems to be almost non-existent. So if anyone has one with a body but can't run I would be very interested.

Thanks!

[Michael]

Be sure to check the for sale section, one pops up from time to time. Also check by dmchelp.com.

I believe there is a project for sale on craigslist and a thread about it here that was just ppsted a few days ago.

Edit, here is the link:
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?317-Queens-Project-Car-for-sale.

[Dangermouse]

We need the "what to look for in a "cheap project car"" thread back again :o

[Renee_1632]

I was hoping to be able to find one with a decent body and interior.

I wouldn't get your hopes up on that...body, possibly, but it's really unlikely you'll find a project car with a great interior. Possible, but if you really want a project D, you may have to be flexible on the state of the interior.

[Jacko]

We don't have a ton of money but he told me to pick a car and well I've always wanted a DeLorean.

Thanks!Hi penciltester,
forgive me if I sound like Dear Abby but I suggest you think about this: Your Dad has offered to fund this project and that's great! I suggest you and your Dad find the best car that he can afford to get for you. You could probably find a running, driveable Delorean ... a fair car at best for maybe $8 ... 9 ...10,000. This hypothetical car will need a lot of work, the usual things like fuel system, brakes, some really strange mods made by a PO (previous owner) will need to be addressed, etc. and so on. This would be PLENTY of work to last you and your Dad a year before you move. If you and your Dad go the $5000 route ... well, y'all are apparently pretty close. You wouldn't want to jeopardize that by being co-owner of an engineless Delorean with a rusted frame.

[penciltester]

Thanks for the replies. I can be flexible with the interior. The project would also end up including my grandfather. He used to be a mechanic and owned his own garage. He seems to have every tool known to man. Hey buys old motorcycles and rebuilds them during the winter and sells them in the spring. Anyway got off track there. So we are looking at around 10,000 for a delorean that still needs a bunch of work? Unfortunately this may be out of price range.

[Michael]

I probably should sum up the whole project car thing before it gets started. In short, unless you get lucky, just about any Delorean you buy for 10k will cost more to restore (cosmetically and mechanically), than what you could buy a good car for. I assume you know this and are just wanting the journey...which is fine, but it can be an expensive journey.

[sdg3205]

Where are you moving to on the west coast?

There was a car for sale in Washington, around 8k about a year ago. My guess is its still for sale. The owner is a bit of douche, I'll PM you the email address if you're interested.

[thegodfather]

Where are you moving to on the west coast?

There was a car for sale in Washington, around 8k about a year ago. My guess is its still for sale. The owner is a bit of douche, I'll PM you the email address if you're interested.

I bought that one. I talked him dow from 8k and thank god i did!!
I just got it up and running a few days ago. I was on a budget, didn't know much about cars. luckily all i had to do to get it running was to replace the fuel pump/filter, replace and reconfigure all of the vacuum lines, and adjust the timing.
I replaced the spark plugs and wires, changed oil, flushed the cooling system, and took out all of the fuel injectors and cleaned them out. I am currently rebuilding the break system.

I am far from being done. just because it's drivable doesn't mean i can stop the restoration process. I was REALLY lucky that the interior just had to be cleaned and was in great condition. The only thing i had to replace was the shifter boot and the ceiling cloth. I took a HUGE gamble buying it sight-unseen having it shipped to my home.

I really couldn't have done anything without the help of the people of this forum and google. It should give you hope. It's possible to find a Cheap fixer upper. Just do your homework. Google is your best friend. Look around and don't jump on the first cheap ratty looking DeLorean you see.

Restoring these cars are a lot of fun, and you get a great satisfaction knowing you are resurrecting a piece of unique automotive history. My DeLorean would have either sat for another decade or become a parts car. 0796 will now live to see another day because of me.

Go for it! Goodluck on your search and have fun.

[sdg3205]

I bought that one. I talked him dow from 8k and thank god i did!!
I just got it up and running a few days ago. I was on a budget, didn't know much about cars. luckily all i had to do to get it running was to replace the fuel pump/filter, replace and reconfigure all of the vacuum lines, and adjust the timing.
I replaced the spark plugs and wires, changed oil, flushed the cooling system, and took out all of the fuel injectors and cleaned them out. I am currently rebuilding the break system.

I am far from being done. just because it's drivable doesn't mean i can stop the restoration process. I was REALLY lucky that the interior just had to be cleaned and was in great condition. The only thing i had to replace was the shifter boot and the ceiling cloth. I took a HUGE gamble buying it sight-unseen having it shipped to my home.

I really couldn't have done anything without the help of the people of this forum and google. It should give you hope. It's possible to find a Cheap fixer upper. Just do your homework. Google is your best friend. Look around and don't jump on the first cheap ratty looking DeLorean you see.

Restoring these cars are a lot of fun, and you get a great satisfaction knowing you are resurrecting a piece of unique automotive history. My DeLorean would have either sat for another decade or become a parts car. 0796 will now live to see another day because of me.

Go for it! Goodluck on your search and have fun.

That's so awesome!!!!

I really need to see pictures. I was intrigued by that car because it had no clock, but grey rims and a gas flap IIRC. Also a metric speedo right?

Any chance you could post some pics? Maybe in a restoration thread? Or if you already have and i missed them let me know where I could find them!

[SoCalDMC12]

I probably should sum up the whole project car thing before it gets started. In short, unless you get lucky, just about any Delorean you buy for 10k will cost more to restore (cosmetically and mechanically), than what you could buy a good car for. I assume you know this and are just wanting the journey...which is fine, but it can be an expensive journey.

+1. I got my second one for about $11k, and probably put close that much into it (with still a little more to do before it's in tip-top shape). I wasn't able to do the big jobs myself, so you may be able to shave a bit off of your restoration costs – but don't count on saving too much.

Was it worth it? Sure... I wanted a fixer so I could learn a bit more about the car, and I drive it nearly daily now. But if I had to do it again, I would have just ponied up a few extra grand and bought a better example.

[thegodfather]

That's so awesome!!!!

I really need to see pictures. I was intrigued by that car because it had no clock, but grey rims and a gas flap IIRC. Also a metric speedo right?

Any chance you could post some pics? Maybe in a restoration thread? Or if you already have and i missed them let me know where I could find them!

Yea, this car is really weird!! I couldn't find any info anywhere so far on the net about past history or where it was originally sold. It seems it was originally brought to Canada and sold there and was moved to Washington. It makes sense because of the metric spedo and having no catalytic converters. I have come to the conclusion that this car was inherited from an someone who really took GREAT care of the car but when the heir couldn't smog it due to it not having catalytic converters it sat since 1997. The tires would have been brand new if they haven't sat for that long, the break pads look brand new, when i drained the oil it came out clean with minimal sediment. The front end recall has already been done.

The guy i bought it from didn't seem to know one thing about DeLoreans. All of the vacuum hoses were rerouted in odd positions not sure why or how it made sense for someone to have done that. There's only 49,000 miles on it. And it seems to run smooth so far.

I'll create a thread for the restoration of 0796 soon, i just have to get all of my pictures together.

[uhhair]

Just as a weird coincidence, there are currently quiet a few project deloreans available right now on e-bay for anyone interested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1981-DELOREAN-Back-future-Car-/220799563852?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3368adf84c

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/delorean-/140564375558?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item20ba4a2806

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Project-Delorean-/290576340487?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item43a7b31607

[sdg3205]

Ah yes, the elusive 4-speed, 8-cylinder model.

[DMC3165]

Just as a weird coincidence, there are currently quiet a few project deloreans available right now on e-bay for anyone interested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1981-DELOREAN-Back-future-Car-/220799563852?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3368adf84c

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/delorean-/140564375558?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item20ba4a2806

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Project-Delorean-/290576340487?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item43a7b31607

The first seller sounds like an idiot. The second one probably forgot the keys in the glove box, and the third doesn't sound too bad. I'm sure Grady could straighten out the body damage.

[uhhair]

Ah yes, the elusive 4-speed, 8-cylinder model.

Yes, the rarest of them all. Truly, a find for the ages!

[Bikercmbc]

as the owner/seller of the third one if you have any more questions about the car you can ask me on here also. about grady straightening up the panels, there is a process that dmc mid-west has been doing that gets most all of the dents out of the car, but it is not 100% maybe dave can jump in (not trying to hijack thread). there are around 30-40 dents on the car most on roof and t-panel. 3 on left front. I just have to sell the car now cause the shop it is at needs it out for parking of other cars and i dont have the time to work on it anymore.

[DMC3165]

as the owner/seller of the third one if you have any more questions about the car you can ask me on here also. about grady straightening up the panels, there is a process that dmc mid-west has been doing that gets most all of the dents out of the car, but it is not 100% maybe dave can jump in (not trying to hijack thread). there are around 30-40 dents on the car most on roof and t-panel. 3 on left front. I just have to sell the car now cause the shop it is at needs it out for parking of other cars and i dont have the time to work on it anymore.

Boy am I glad I didn't insult you then. I mentioned Grady because I have firsthand experience with his bodywork. I don't know what technique he uses but both my fenders came out nearly flawless and at an exceptional price too. I assume whatever technique he uses is probably similar to what the franchises do.

[Kukem]

as the owner/seller of the third one if you have any more questions about the car you can ask me on here also. about grady straightening up the panels, there is a process that dmc mid-west has been doing that gets most all of the dents out of the car, but it is not 100% maybe dave can jump in (not trying to hijack thread). there are around 30-40 dents on the car most on roof and t-panel. 3 on left front. I just have to sell the car now cause the shop it is at needs it out for parking of other cars and i dont have the time to work on it anymore.

I thought I recognized that e-bay listing. I read your post about the car in another thread. The car looks to be in decent shape otherwise (to me at least)

[Bikercmbc]

yeah, it was in decent shape, definately needs work though. i was planning to take two years and around 300 a month or so to fix it up and get it to par with my other one, but this did not happen as planned....so i plan to use the money i get from selling it to purchase big price items for my other one. seat covers, window regulators, seals, possibly stage one exhaust...

[ArnieBrandon]

I can off a little history on Project car 0796 that was located in Everett, WA.
Back in 1995, (8-17-1995) a Pacific Northwest DeLorean Club (PNDC) member ran into this hulk and described it as follows. "Bolts through rear bumper. Both rear quarter panels dented. windshield doesn't meet door (?). 160 MPH speedo. Original NCT's on rear. Rear license plate missing. Very rough but fixable."
Records show that more than a few people went to look at this car but nobody would touch it as it was deemed too far gone for the money. This car is listed as a Black interor, 5 speed. We often wondered what happened to this car and now we know.
Arnie Brandon
President PNDC

[theMonch]

Heres one for you OP. I was going to take a look at it since it is so close, but I didnt want to have to get into looking for a PVR for it. It dosent look too good from pictures for the price, but I am sure thats negotiable.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/2452993631.html

[Dangermouse]

Heres one for you OP. I was going to take a look at it since it is so close, but I didnt want to have to get into looking for a PVR for it. It dosent look too good from pictures for the price, but I am sure thats negotiable.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/2452993631.html

Same car as post #2

[theMonch]

Same car as post #2

Oops, IE9 was blocking the cross link to the other thread for me. Didn't realize it was the same car. Sorry.

[stevedmc]

Heres one for you OP. I was going to take a look at it since it is so close, but I didnt want to have to get into looking for a PVR for it. It dosent look too good from pictures for the price, but I am sure thats negotiable.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/2452993631.html

I believe he originally wanted $6,500 for it but he decided to wash it and increase the price to $7,500. If he washes it just 8 more times he should be able to get at least $15k for it.

[DeLorean03]

Oops, IE9 was blocking the cross link to the other thread for me. Didn't realize it was the same car. Sorry.

Wow that car looks ROUGH. I saw the first picture of just parts and no joke - my first reaction was "What DeLorean???"