Project Delorean (I know what I'm getting into!)

[Josh]

Hi guys!

First off I would like to say I am very happy to have found DMC Talk. Lots of great information. I have been interested in deloreans for years and just in the last few have began to educate myself with their history, potential, quirks, etc.

I am looking for a project car. Aspects that are important to me are exterior body panels and trim, the fiberglass chassis, and a reasonably complete interior. All other components I am willing to repair or completely redo. Frame, fuel system, cooling system, engine, electronics and wiring, suspension, and brakes (all the mechanical stuff). Ideally the plan I have hypothesized for the project would be get the car, separate the frame, repair and bedline the frame, swap in a new engine (2006+ turboed LE5), redo the cooling, fuel, and wiring systems, rebuild the suspension to oem spec, reinstall the body, and deal with the exterior and interior from there.

I know this is a BIG BIG BIG project that will span over the course of several years, and I know what I am getting into.

So with that said any tips/leads on where to search for cars? I mostly come across 20k+ units that are good to go. These are not out of my budget, as a project of this scope will end up being 20k+ all said and done, but I am looking for a D with a dead engine or other mechanical problems. I think setting my budget at 10K (including transportation) would be reasonable for a car like this.

So, what do you guys think? And where should I look? I usually scan craigslist and kijiji weekly but like I said mostly running, 20K cars. I am located in Saskatchewan, Canada and would be willing to drive ~2000km if the right car comes up. I am not in a hurry to buy.

Sorry about the long post!

[Shep]

Welcome to the forums! :welcome:

When it comes to cars for sale, if you're not finding what you're looking for via Craigslist, eBay, classifieds, etc., I would look at the vendors. DMC Northwest (http://www.delorean-parts.com/) is closest to the Canadian border, but I would also look at DMC Midwest (http://dmcmidwest.com/), DPI (http://deloreanindustries.com/), PJ Grady (http://www.pjgrady.com/), DMC California (http://www.deloreanmotorcenter.com/), DMC Houston (http://delorean.com/), and DMC Florida (http://www.gulfcoastdeloreans.com/), ordered roughly by shortest to longest distance from where you're currently located. All of them currently have or know of DeLoreans for sale, of which some are project cars. Many (all?) of these vendors have dealt with exporting DeLoreans (or even just parts) to other countries, so they could help you with the process. We also have a few Canadian regulars here who could give valuable input here.

One quick note: if the frame is too far gone, you'll need to source a replacement, which can be hard to find. Fixing the frame is one thing, but recreating an entire section of it is an entirely different story. Be careful for rust issues with any DeLorean you buy -- a little rust can be fixed, but too much will cause more headaches than it's worth. It sounds like you're well equipped to handle moderate rust issues though, which is always a good thing.

Good luck finding your dream! :)

[Jonathan]

Hi guys!

First off I would like to say I am very happy to have found DMC Talk. Lots of great information. I have been interested in deloreans for years and just in the last few have began to educate myself with their history, potential, quirks, etc.

I am looking for a project car...

I know this is a BIG BIG BIG project that will span over the course of several years, and I know what I am getting into.

Welcome to the group!

Good choice in joining the forum and learning as much as you can before you buy your car.

Just one note... you won't know what you are getting into until you've already done it. Not trying to undermine your researching phase or mechanical abilities, but there are some things about DeLorean ownership that only come from experience. Look back at this thought a few years after you get your car and you'll know what I mean :)

Good luck with the project. Don't rule out calling one of the vendors for potential projects as they may have the kind of car you are looking for or at least know how to get you in touch with someone who does. Midwest and Northwest are relatively close to you, but if the right car is in Florida or Houston for example, a few hundred bucks extra on transportation is well worth it to get the car you want.

There are a few Calgary owners and not sure if you venture into Alberta much, but I know at least a couple of them that would be up for getting together and talking cars, even if it is just over lunch. Not sure who the owners might be in Sask. though. Are you in Saskatoon? I think there are some owners in North Dakota too if you live down closer to Regina or Weyburn.

[Josh]

Thanks for the friendly welcomes guys! I am located in Regina, SK. Alberta is definately a common drive for me, Calgary is about 8 hrs away. As far as I know there are no or very little D's in SK, but I would love for someone to prove me wrong haha.

I think I'll call some of the vendors up in the coming weeks. I was not aware of the northern US vendors and clubs but it looks like they have quite a few cars. Thanks for the detailed info, guys.

Josh

[sdg3205]

Josh,

a buddy of mine sent me a picture of a DeLorean on a trailer a few years back he spotted in Saskatchewan so they are definitely hiding there somewhere.

Even having restored 2 and a half DeLoreans I can certainly echo the whole "know what I'm getting into" thing. You simply cannot foresee a lot of issues that arise. My initial budgets are thrown out the window constantly. Installing a different engine, though possible certainly exacerbates this phenomenon.

Having said that, restoring DeLoreans has become a passion a lot of people and we welcome you to do the same. We simply add:

1. proceed with caution
2. buy SMART and look around for a while - good frames are key.
3. double your initial repair budget (DMC stands for "demands more cash" and as farrar will tell you BTTF stands for "Bankrupt To The Future!!!")
4. Learn everything you can, research, get the manuals. Our resource section is abundant and GET TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL VENDOR!! I call Toby at DMCNW and email with Dave at DMCMW and Josh at DPI regularly.
5. Be patient and good things will happen
6. Have an awesome time, you're gonna love it.

Cheers,

[Josh]

Interesting, maybe I will see it one day in my travels!

I will agree I have had project cars in the past, including engine swaps and it definitely is a money pit. There is always surprises haha.

Thanks for the tips!

Josh

[LordFly]

Here's a $10K one, does that fit the bill? http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/delorean/dmc_12/1532752.html

[Jonathan]

I looked in the DeLorean Owners Directory and didn't see Saskachewan mentioned anywhere. The directory doesn't list provinces though for some reason, so it might be that I don't recognize the city names. It just says something like "Port Elgin, Canada" but doesn't indicate Ontario. Quite common to see this kind of reference though from folks outside of the country.

That being said, on the Ontario names, we are up to about 65 now and many of those are not listed in the directory. It could be that there are D owners nearby you and they just stay off the radar. Perhaps if you phoned Toby or Julee at Northwest or Midwest and asked nicely if they would check if there are Sask owners, they could likely then contact that person separately and put you in touch with them if that person is okay with it. A few of us Ontario owners found each other this way a few years back :)

[Dangermouse]

According to the VIN list, 01208 is/has been in Saskatoon :yoda:

[Josh]

Thanks for the link Lordfly! I had already stumbled across that listing. It is unfortunately too far away for me. Also the body looks pretty roughed up (rear quarter esp). Perhaps ill give them a call anyway, interested to see if it is actually running.

Hmm so there is at least one SK member, that is interesting. I am planning on phoning northwest as well as midwest soon in regaurds to project cars, ill see if Toby is aware of any prairie D's!

Thanks again guys, this is one of the most inviting forums I have been a member of. Lots of great people willing to help!

[nullset]

Don't forget to read this, even if some of it may not apply to you:

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?371-Please-read-before-posting-%93I-want-a-cheap-DeLorean%94-or-%93Project-Car-Wanted%94-threads

Good luck on your search. I'd strongly recommend you get something with a running drivetrain to drive around a bit before contemplating an engine swap. You can see several engine swap threads on here, and more often than not, they're aborted instead of finished.

--buddy

[Dangermouse]

Hmm so there is at least one SK member, that is interesting.

Well, it may be misleading to assume that there is another forum member in SK. The "VIN List" records the most recent information of a particular VIN. In some case, that may just be the address of the first owner, or the second owner, back in the 80s. It could have been stored for decades, crashed, or sold somewhere else, and just hasn't resurfaced yet.

The fact that it is such an early vin would imply that it wasn't the original owner, but who knows.

[Josh]

That is a good point Dangermouse. You just had to put a damper on things :P . But with only 1M people in the whole province I expect the amount of D owners to be pretty low.

Nullset, I read over that thread before posting this thread. I also do agree it would be a good idea to get a feel for the car in its stock form, so if I get my hands on a running car that is quite the bonus. But I am pretty set on a swap. I am 1 year away from getting my bachelors in mech engineering, and an avid car enthusiast. Like I said engine swaps and custom fabrication is nothing new to me, swapping out the engine will be just as much fun for me as getting behind the wheel!

Here's some of my bigger projects just for kicks, if anyone cares to take a gander!

http://geometroforum.com/topic/4774637/1/
http://schattenkirk.com/images/Go%20Cart/go_cart.htm
http://motorbicycling.com/showthread.php?t=26063

[krado94]

I have a project delorean thats going to be for sale. I just don't have the time to put into it. It hasn't been inspected since 99. needs some interior work. If you want know more, send me a pm.

1981
Automatic
20k miles (bought off the 2nd owner)
Gray interior
New Interstate Megatron battery
New stabilus lift kit (doors, hood and louvers)
Just painted front and rear fascias
Runs and drives
needs frame work.

http://pic70.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1871/10835740/20343182/405891525.jpg

http://pic70.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1871/10835740/20343182/405891528.jpg

http://pic70.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1871/10835740/20343182/405891524.jpg

http://pic70.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1871/10835740/20343182/405891526.jpg

[Jeff K]

Josh,
3. double your initial repair budget (DMC stands for "demands more cash" and as farrar will tell you BTTF stands for "Bankrupt To The Future!!!")
Cheers,

Absolutely correct. Things add up fast.

[Josh]

Well I picked up my delorean last night. The adventure begins! Build thread to begin next weekend when I start tearing it apart.

[sdg3205]

Well I picked up my delorean last night. The adventure begins! Build thread to begin next weekend when I start tearing it apart.

Great news.

[17143]

I have a Delorean in Saskatoon. I would be interested to know how many others are in the area.

[Dangermouse]

I think that would be two !!

Is your vin 17143?

[Josh]

I have a Delorean in Saskatoon. I would be interested to know how many others are in the area.

REALLY!!!! Wow, awesome. You have a pm. Always looking for local owners. There is another owner in Regina, but he basically lets the car sit outside to rot. Never drives it.

[17143]

From what I've heard, there was a dentist here in Saskatoon that ordered one new. It turned up for sale at Ens Lexus Toyota about ten years ago. It was fairly low mile at that time (about 14,000 if I remember correctly) and they wanted $20,000 but stated it needed work.
There was also one around here in the early 90's that was painted red. I saw this car at Sherwood Chev on 8th street. It was for sale but it was owned by a friend of a salesman and not part of Sherwood's inventory. It was also $20,000 but in 1992. I'm pretty sure this is the same car featured in some inspirational posters that featured a red Delorean infront of Nutana High School on 11th street in Saskatoon.
I had two other Delorean sightings in Saskatchewan but both could be the dentist car I first mentioned. One was driving down 8th street in Saskatoon and the other was just outside of North Battleford on the highway. Both these sightings were about 5-7 years ago.
I don't know what became of these cars.

[17143]

Yes my vin is 17143. It is a 1983. I just hit 7800 km. It is in km as it is one of the few made specifically for the Canadian market.

I don't know how to post pics but here is one of it that someone else posted on the net:
http://saskatoonautomall.com/spotted-in-saskatoon-a-vintage-chevrolet-bel-air-3/

[Josh]

Thanks for the Saskatoon Delorean history! Always exciting to learn more stuff about these cars, especially when its close to home.

Looks like you have a very nice car. Very low mileage as well. Ill have to stop by and see it sometime!