Pics of the Gold Plated Delorean when 1st built. [Archive] - DMCTalk Forum

Nicholas R

11-28-2012, 01:22 AM

Yes, agreed, looks like 4300 because of the saddle interior (although could be 20105, I suppose). 4301 is reported to have a black interior.

Thomas

...

Wouldn't 20105 have a flat hood? I truly dont know since I assume anything goes with the gold cars but since this car has a grooved hood I would assume it was an earlier one.

Delorean02378

11-28-2012, 08:13 AM

20105 has a grooved hood. If I remember correctly, this car was put together using left over parts. The passenger's side door color didn't match the rest of the panels. My favorite is 4301 with black interior currently at Petersen's Auto Museum in Los Angeles. Most everyone has one car they'd like to own before they die and 4301 is it for me.

thirdmanj

11-28-2012, 08:32 AM

I never have quite understood the pull of the gold cars. I mean, I get it, ultra rare, dipped in gold, über exclusive. I just don't think they're wholly all that special.

Chris Burns

11-28-2012, 09:59 AM

I would own one of the gold plated cars if were rich and could have a regular Delorean as a driver. Lets face it the gold Delorean is an awesome show car, but not something you would drive everyday.

louielouie2000

11-28-2012, 10:20 AM

I never have quite understood the pull of the gold cars. I mean, I get it, ultra rare, dipped in gold, über exclusive. I just don't think they're wholly all that special.

I think they're gorgeous, but I wouldn't want to own one even if I had the means. You could never, ever drive it. From what I understand, the gold plating is extremely thin, and would not hold up to any semblance of usage. Just opening & closing the doors has to cause rubbing & wear in several areas. I'd be afraid to even wash one for fear of wearing the plating down. And how would you ever match the gold to fix scratches/worn areas? All you could do with one of these cars is point to it in a climate controlled garage and say you own it. Everybody owns DeLoreans for different reasons, but my favorite part of ownership was always the sheer joy of driving them, and the amazing experiences which stemmed from that. Owning one of the gold plated cars would be a giant, expensive exercise in frustration for me.

I just wish DMC got around to making that beautiful saddle interior available on regular DMC-12s before they went under!

thirdmanj

11-28-2012, 10:45 AM

I just wish DMC got around to making that beautiful saddle interior available on regular DMC-12s before they went under!

I dunno. You don't think the production model DMC-12 would look a little odd with that color interior?

louielouie2000

11-28-2012, 11:29 AM

I dunno. You don't think the production model DMC-12 would look a little odd with that color interior?

Nope... there's a silver Ferrari convertible in my neighborhood which has a saddle colored interior, it's a beautiful combination. Lots of European cars have that color combo, it's pretty classic:

http://www.leasetrader.com/photos/actual75266/640x480/2003-Ferrari-360-F1-Spider--Silver.jpeg

http://images.dealerrevs.com/pictures/9543474.jpg

http://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/sls-amg-gullwing/191763d1284392276-still-deciding-colour-alubeam-p1080155.jpg

thirdmanj

11-28-2012, 11:48 AM

I guess I can see that. But that's a very modern, very dark saddle interior. I was picturing the gold DeLorean interiors in a regular D.

Rhsxo

11-28-2012, 01:33 PM

I think they're gorgeous, but I wouldn't want to own one even if I had the means. You could never, ever drive it. From what I understand, the gold plating is extremely thin, and would not hold up to any semblance of usage. Just opening & closing the doors has to cause rubbing & wear in several areas. I'd be afraid to even wash one for fear of wearing the plating down. And how would you ever match the gold to fix scratches/worn areas? All you could do with one of these cars is point to it in a climate controlled garage and say you own it. Everybody owns DeLoreans for different reasons, but my favorite part of ownership was always the sheer joy of driving them, and the amazing experiences which stemmed from that. Owning one of the gold plated cars would be a giant, expensive exercise in frustration for me.

100% agree!

Domi

11-28-2012, 02:24 PM

Really interesting pictures of the gold plated, thanks for sharing ;)

DeLoreanman

11-29-2012, 02:06 PM

I just wish DMC got around to making that beautiful saddle interior available on regular DMC-12s before they went under!

Nice to see I'm not the only one that likes the saddle interior. I was begining to think that I was the only one.

pezzonovante88

11-29-2012, 06:56 PM

Nice to see I'm not the only one that likes the saddle interior. I was begining to think that I was the only one.

I really like that interior too, but not on a DeLorean. The color combo works on other cars, but not the DeLorean, in my opinion.

Jeff K

11-29-2012, 07:19 PM

I was in DMCCA when they were working on one. They said it's a pain, and the gold actually rubs off on your hands. It looked kinda smeary in person too.

pezzonovante88

11-29-2012, 08:12 PM

Yeah, it definitely would not practical. But, if you want a gold DeLorean, I think DeLoman has the right idea...

http://www.deloman.de/projektemenu/golden-delorean

Shep

11-29-2012, 08:47 PM

These pic are courtesy of the Delorean UK club:

15123Why is it on jack stands in that picture? It still has plastic on the seats, so I assume it was after the factory was done with it, but it looks like they're working on something in the front. Front end recall or something? The grill is off, the weather stripping is only half on, the wheels are turned (always thought the wheels are supposed to be straight while jacked up), and I see wrenches, a white glove, a screwdriver, and straps on the ground.

On another note, it's neat to see a gold DeLorean with a fender antenna. I know this practically started a flame war in another thread, but it's an interesting element for a gold DeLorean to have. (Interesting, not necessarily good... don't shoot the messenger!)

Dangermouse

11-29-2012, 09:38 PM

I assumed that this was somewhere at the factory, from Chris's first post. Maybe they are gold plating the suspension :)

Chris Burns

11-29-2012, 09:55 PM

I assumed that this was somewhere at the factory, from Chris's first post. Maybe they are gold plating the suspension :)

It appears to be during the final assembly process. I heard that when the gold cars were put together armed guards had to be posted and the workers wore special clothing. Gold plating the car wasn't the most practical idea, but it sure looked good!:thumbup2:

louielouie2000

11-29-2012, 09:59 PM

I assumed that this was somewhere at the factory, from Chris's first post. Maybe they are gold plating the suspension :)

These are definitely factory pictures; the highrise in the background is in Dunmurry, all the cars in the background are definitely Euro market, the bricks inside the building are signature DMCL factory, etc. There were video sequences in the Pennebaker/Hegedus documentary taken in the same room where the gold delorean is propped up on jack stands; they were testing out fascia color samples in that same room.

Regarding why the car is on jack stands: the final assembly off the gold cars was all done by hand and not on the assembly line due to the very the fact the gold cars were one-off projects, and the the delicate/fragile nature of the gold plated pieces.

Shep

11-29-2012, 10:39 PM

Regarding why the car is on jack stands: the final assembly off the gold cars was all done by hand and not on the assembly line due to the very the fact the gold cars were one-off projects, and the the delicate/fragile nature of the gold plated pieces.I just noticed the side trim pieces are not there in either picture. Adding them would certainly would be the kind of job requiring supervision and a screwdriver. The pictures Delorean02378 posted clearly show those pieces attached, so now my money's on attaching those pieces. Guess I answered my own question.

Dangermouse

11-29-2012, 10:49 PM

These are definitely factory pictures; the highrise in the background is in Dunmurry, all the cars in the background are definitely Euro market, the bricks inside the building are signature DMCL factory, etc..

D'oh. I only looked at that last picture when Shep mentioned the location.

Completely forgot to look at the external shots. Louie is spot on

vwdmc16

11-29-2012, 11:37 PM

I have a question, Ive heard one of the cars has never even been started, no oil or fluids, So zero miles. The Reno car has atleast 440 miles, I saw the odo last week. was this other car ever driven?

Chris Burns

11-30-2012, 12:57 PM

The replica that Wolfgang Hank built would be the only I would trust for driver use.

No worries. The rally decals were removed.

Dangermouse

11-30-2012, 01:48 PM

I have a question, Ive heard one of the cars has never even been started, no oil or fluids, So zero miles. The Reno car has atleast 440 miles, I saw the odo last week. was this other car ever driven?

4301, the former Synder bank car, now in the Peterson Museum (LA), supposedly has 7 miles on the clock. The DW article I read, stated that all the fluids were drained prior to display in the bank. I would assume that the 7 miles are factory and delivery miles.

Were the gold cars driven around the test track like the other cars, and if so, before or after the gold plated panels were installed?

Victor

11-30-2012, 03:19 PM

Nice to see I'm not the only one that likes the saddle interior. I was begining to think that I was the only one.

I too very much like the saddle interior, but would love it a little darker and rougher _ much like a a well used baseball glove, or similar to the Giugiaro Mustang interior.

I am wondering if one day, I will have the guts (or the stupidiness _ whatever...) to dye or re-do the leather of my interior that color.

louielouie2000

11-30-2012, 07:24 PM

Were the gold cars driven around the test track like the other cars, and if so, before or after the gold plated panels were installed?

With the quality control problems the earlier DeLoreans experienced, there's no doubt in my mind the gold cars went around the test track for their shake downs as well. With an MSRP well over 3 times of the stock DeLoreans (which was already quite steep), the gold cars had to be flawless. My guess is the gold cars traversed the circuit using regular stainless panels, then those panels were removed & replaced with gold plated ones. Hence why the gold plated cars final assembly took place in a separate room off the Tellus carriers.

jawn101

11-30-2012, 11:49 PM

dmc6960

12-01-2012, 12:50 AM

That's awesome they opened up the door for you for better pictures. I also see this has a covered/stitched binnacle. Something I never noticed before.

jawn101

12-01-2012, 12:55 AM

That's awesome they opened up the door for you for better pictures. I also see this has a covered/stitched binnacle. Something I never noticed before.

I gotta be honest. I worked hard at planning that :) I wore my DMOCO shop shirt that day specifically, planning to beg the staff to open the door for me as a fellow owner. It ended up working, though he was reluctant since the struts are COMPLETELY shot and he had to hold the door the whole time.

The guy was very knowledgable and had actually done a lot of the work on the car himself since it came into the museum's ownership.

There was a drip pan under the motor. I had to chuckle.

Chris Burns

12-01-2012, 01:05 AM

Some cool shots of the "bank lobby" gold Delorean as it sits today:

sdg3205

12-01-2012, 01:30 AM

Really such a cool piece of history. How many enthusiasts can say their make of car has been featured in 3 movies, a few porns, tv shows, countless music videos, a cartoon, a credit card promotion, plated in 24k gold on more than one occasion and made the tops of all the "worst cars of all time" lists while still being the favourite in a crowded room. Oh yeah, AND made in Ireland!

Shep

12-01-2012, 10:06 AM

Don't forget video games! Gran Turismo 5 (also in 4) being the most recent one, but I've played Scarface: The World is Yours (named "Delphine"), Vigilante 8: Second Offense (hover conversion named "Vertigo", driven by Chassey Blue) and Flatout 2 (yellow and green variants called "Fortune", rocket-powered stunt DeLorean called "Starflight"), all of which had it, but there's many more video games where it made an appearance. There's a more comprehensive list here (http://backtothefuture.wikia.com/wiki/DeLorean_DMC-12), although interestingly they don't mention the Burnout 3: Paradise appearance.

featured in 3 moviesMany more than that! I've seen DeLoreans in movies outside BTTF. There was one in a Spiderman movie, Amanda Bynes laid on the back of a BTTF2 DeLorean in Big Fat Liar, it made a quick appearance in Rocky III, there's many more movies where it made a "guest appearance". Our cars really have gotten around! :)

Some cool shots of the "bank lobby" gold Delorean as it sits today:Here is the text on the wall in the first picture transcribed, for those that are curious:

PUSHING THE LIMITS
An automotive milestone was achieved with the debut of the Alfa Romeo Carabo and Lancia Strator Zero, both bodied by Bertone. Their mid-engine configurations allowed for severely angular silhouettes that were the result of scientific aerodynamic research that also influenced the design of less exotic vehiclesNot really DeLorean-specific, but Interesting read nonetheless.

Patrick C

12-01-2012, 10:46 AM

My guess is the gold cars traversed the circuit using regular stainless panels, then those panels were removed & replaced with gold plated ones. Hence why the gold plated cars final assembly took place in a separate room off the Tellus carriers.

The gold cars did indeed make the test loop with gold panels intact. I have a picture of a gold car on the track somewhere.

Shep

12-01-2012, 12:13 PM

The gold cars did indeed make the test loop with gold panels intact. I have a picture of a gold car on the track somewhere.Now that I would love to see. Any chance you can dig it up? I searched on Google, but came up empty.

I did find this DML posting (http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/message/81411) which indicates two of the three Gold DeLoreans skipped the QAC process entirely, and I also found this DML posting (http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/message/81356) which seems to suggest there's some actual video of the gold DeLoreans driving around the track! I can't say I'm aware of any other videos of the gold DeLoreans being driven (other than deloman, of course), so to the best of my knowledge, that could potentially be the only footage that exists.

ccurzio

12-01-2012, 01:42 PM

Patrick C

12-01-2012, 02:34 PM

Now that I would love to see. Any chance you can dig it up? I searched on Google, but came up empty.

I did find this DML posting (http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/message/81411) which indicates two of the three Gold DeLoreans skipped the QAC process entirely, and I also found this DML posting (http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/message/81356) which seems to suggest there's some actual video of the gold DeLoreans driving around the track! I can't say I'm aware of any other videos of the gold DeLoreans being driven (other than deloman, of course), so to the best of my knowledge, that could potentially be the only footage that exists.

I will dig it up tomorrow evening for you. It is a clip in Robert Lamrock's film "Back From The Future" that shows video of a gold car going around the test track slowly with media crews filming it.

Shep

12-01-2012, 02:41 PM

Don't forget the Deluxo in GTA: Vice City.Never played GTA, hence the more detailed list I linked to that includes it ;)

On a side note, Delphine in Scarface: The World is Yours had scissor doors instead of gullwing doors, and both Fortune and Starflight in FlatOut 2 had normal doors with the hinges in the front (as demonstrated when the door latches were damaged during a drive)

I will dig it up tomorrow evening for you. It is a clip in Robert Lamrock's film "Back From The Future" that shows video of a gold car going around the test track slowly with media crews filming it.Thanks! Man I wish I could get my hands on that VHS, there's so much neat stuff on there.

DMC5180

12-01-2012, 03:39 PM

I was just in Reno for thanksgiving and finally had a chance to see the Harrah's car. Here are some of the pictures I took - it really was quite a sight. Looked way better in person than I thought it would from the photos I've seen.

I visited the Reno Museum in the 1992 pre internet and was pleasantly surprised to see this car. Back then they had an "Adopt-A-Car"program. Which meant you had to commit to come in a 2-3 times a year and clean it. From those pictures, it looks like it's due for some fresh detailing on the interior especially the Black surfaces.

I'm fortunate to have seen all 3 gold cars in person. 3401 when it was in the Snyder bank in 2003. 20105 at DCS 2000 Cleveland (Crawford museum) I had an accidental roll in that car being at the show.

timothymoore

12-01-2012, 04:30 PM

seeing a regular delorean for the first time was cool enough. i could only imagine what it would be like to see the gold delorean in person.

vwdmc16

12-01-2012, 10:54 PM

The guy was very knowledgable and had actually done a lot of the work on the car himself since it came into the museum's ownership.

There was a drip pan under the motor. I had to chuckle.

Did he explain some of the work done? is it still a runner today? And did you catch the mileage?

jawn101

12-02-2012, 12:18 PM

I visited the Reno Museum in the 1992 pre internet and was pleasantly surprised to see this car. Back then they had an "Adopt-A-Car"program. Which meant you had to commit to come in a 2-3 times a year and clean it. From those pictures, it looks like it's due for some fresh detailing on the interior especially the Black surfaces.

Sounds like there's still something similar going on - I asked if they had any plans to replace the door struts and he said "only if someone donates some..."

I agree though. Lots of dust in there. Some leather care would definitely be in order too - the seats aren't overly dry yet but it is only a matter of time

seeing a regular delorean for the first time was cool enough. i could only imagine what it would be like to see the gold delorean in person.
It was way cooler than I thought it would be. Nowhere near as tacky as expected.

Did he explain some of the work done? is it still a runner today? And did you catch the mileage?
I think the mileage was 444 (you can just barely make it out in one of my pics if you zoom the full-size version) and he did mention that it runs but of course they don't drive it. I didn't get a look at the engine bay sadly, the guy was only so willing to humor me. Not real sure what they have and haven't done to it.

vwdmc16

12-02-2012, 08:15 PM

sounds like 444 miles of driving with your ass clenched up worrying about crashing or rocks or even creating enough wind resistance for the gold to start wearing down.

I think when I replace my door struts this spring perhaps I should make that donation, People deserve to see the doors open on their own again.