DeLorasaurus Rex - the Pre-Historic Era (photos)

[Rich W]

Prior to becoming D Rex, the DeLorean 4x4 was built in TX in the early 1990's.

DeLorean 4x4 sightings became more numerous by the mid-1990's, including
some pre-Internet photos being faxed around within the DeLorean community.

After I acquired the DeLorean 4x4 in late 2001 and created the D Rex in 2002,
I began getting more and more reports about "Hey, I saw that thing in Texas".
After DCS 2002, I received even more reports (and emails) from people who
saw the DeLorean 4x4, in and around Round Rock, TX, but no actual photos.

Until December 2002...I received an email from a DeLorean Owner/Enthusiast
who actually took some photos of the DeLorean 4x4 as is sat on an auction lot.
Sorry, I forgot the person's name, but if I can locate the name in one of my
email archives, I will give them full credit for the photos attached below:

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More Pre-Historic photos to follow.

Later,
Rich W.

[Rich W]

The first red-letter date in D Rex pre-history for me was the day I saw the ad.
Friday, December 21, 2001, just before a very long Christmas holiday weekend.

It was one very small, low resolution photo, in an ad listed only as a DeLorean.
A very unassuming ad which I am sure many people did not see, as the ad had
appeared just before the Christmas holiday, which then led into the New Years
holiday, and by then, the DeLorean 4x4 had already arrived in IL from TX.

Although I was "sold" on just that one, low resolution photo, I requested many
more via email before I made my "final offer" and completed the deal.

I have been sifting through my archives and uncovering many photos I have not
previously posted, so make sure to check back for more old photos to be posted.

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Later,
Rich W.

[Rich W]

After initial contact was made on the ad on Friday, December 21, 2001
I requested some additional photos and received them later that day.

Attaching a few of the photos that show the poor condition of the 4x4
at the time of sale. The LF fender was the only un-damaged SS panel.

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Later,
Rich W.

[PlutonimicX]

Wow, it makes me apreciate it more now that I can see how sad it was. Great job, Rich!

[Rich W]

Yeah, it is one thing telling people how bad the vehicle was before the complete
refurbishing and transformation, which was all done in less than one month !!

I am thinking of putting together a presentation display board with photos of the
Before condition, along with some of the In-Progress refurbishing photos.

When you see the Before, the Progress and the Result, it is quite an impact.

Later,
Rich W.

[Rich W]

Second set of emailed photos arrived on December 23, 2001.
Attaching a few of the photos below.

Again, these photos show the pre-sale condition of the DeLorean 4x4
as it sat in Round Rock, TX. A couple more exterior views, one view
of the interior from the open driver's side door and one view of the
radiator (mounted at nearly a 45 degree angle) and power steering.

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Later,
Rich W.

[Rich W]

Third set of emailed photos arrived on December 24, 2001.
Yeah, still negotiating on Christmas Eve.
Attaching a few of the photos below.

Again, these photos show the pre-sale condition of the DeLorean 4x4,
primarily the interior condition, as it sat in Round Rock, TX. As with
most older Texas vehicles that have sat outside for decades, most of
the interior of the DeLorean 4x4 was "toast", especially dash/binnacle.

Note the passenger side knee pad condition and the big "slot" cut into
the side of the center console, for the high/low range selector for the
4x4 transfer case. Since most of my D Rex driving is at low speed, the
selector was eliminated and a different console cover was put in place.

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Later,
Rich W.

[jmrydholm]

Awesome! So this is D-Rex during the Triassic period? :cool1:

[Rich W]

To take the analogy (or theme) all the way through...(nerd alert!).

I would contend the end of DeLorean production can refer to the Triassic-Jurassic
extinction point in time, and the DeLorean 4x4 would be built in the Early Jurassic
Period, while the evolution of the D Rex occurred during the Middle Jurassic Period.

Of course, this is all taking place in the mid-Mesozoic Era, so it would be difficult
to pin-point the exact moments that this all took place. I guess I will have to try
to carbon date some of the unnecessary parts removed from the DeLorean 4x4.

All these details are provided with the help of the DeLorean Time Machine. (LOL)

Later,
Rich W.

[Rich W]

Fourth and final set of emailed photos arrived on December 26, 2001.
Yeah, I did not hassle Tammy (PO) for more photos on Christmas Day.
I made my offer after seeing this set. Attaching a few photos below.

Again, these photos show the pre-sale condition of the DeLorean 4x4,
primarily the exterior and suspension, as it sat in Round Rock, TX.
As you can see by a couple of these photos, the initial "lift" done to
the chassis was only "old-school" axle blocks, with bigger shackles.

The original leaf springs were wrapped to help keep mud out, so God
only knows what was done to this beast, off-road, during the 1990's.
It is a little hard to see, but the front springs are virtually "inverted"
(arcing the wrong way), while the rear leaf springs are virtually "flat".

And, in honor of the July 4th weekend this weekend, I am including a
couple photos of the "front and rear BBQ grills" as we named them,
once they were removed, after the DeLorean 4x4 arrived in Illinois and
the evolutionary process began, to create the DeLorean Monster Truck.

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Later,
Rich W.

[Chris Burns]

Wow! That was in horrible shape, before you got it. You definitely made it better.

[Rich W]

January 1, 2002...the DeLorean 4x4 arrives in Illinois. It was a cold, dry day.

I guess this is technically the first set of "owner" photos of the DeLorean 4x4,
as it nears the end of it's transport from Round Rock, TX to near Chicago, IL.

A huge thanks to Fred Geerdink (Master DeLorean Transporter) who did the
initial transport of the DeLorean 4x4 with his Jeep Cherokee and his trailer.

Lot's of stories about the "pick-up" of the DeLorean 4x4, including having to
make a trip to the junkyard to get some smaller front tires, to get it onto the
trailer (the PO - Tammy's measurements were off by a lot), so I now own a
pair of old 6" wide, 6-bolt aluminum wheels that were needed back then.

The attached photos are the first views of the DeLorean 4x4 by me, in person,
at a Truck Stop (at Route 30?), just South of Chicago, near the transport end.
I met Fred at the Truck Stop, looked it over, took a few photos, and led Fred
and the DeLorean 4x4 over to Godmudders Custom Truck Shop in Alsip, IL.

Note the frost on the windshield. It is hard to tell, but the radiator cap has
already "popped off", since the fluid in the radiator (mostly water) had frozen.

My favorite photo of the group was the "artistic" view photo that I took with
the Truck Stop sign positioned right over the DeLorean 4x4.

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Later,
Rich W.