4 Attachment(s)
DeLorean Roadster Convertible - Sketch to Stainless (photos)
As with many DeLorean owners and enthusiasts, I saw my first Concept image
of a DeLorean Convertible back in the Winter of 1987, as a drawing on the cover
of DeLorean World. The sketches were done by a Chicago area cover artist
Theodore C. Alexander, Jr. for Dick Shipman of the DOA and DeLorean World.
After seeing this idea, I had sketched several of my own versions over the next
few years (especially while I was supposed to be taking "notes" in College), but
the next time I was inspired to make another sketch was after meeting JZD in
person, at DCS 2000, at the same time I sketched the DeLorean Limousine.
After starting on the DeLorean Limo frame in 2001, there was an Open House at
DMC Houston where I saw another DeLorean Convertible sketch that was "found"
at the warehouse in Columbus, which was raffled off later at that event. I did
not win the raffle for this item, but I did take a photo of the framed sketch.
After acquiring a few fire damaged DeLoreans in 2001 and 2002, including a donor
car with roof damage, it was time to try to make the D Convertible into a reality.
My D Convertible is still a Work-In-Progress, and of course, it remains a Roadster
until an actual convertible hard top or retracting soft top is fully installed.
Then, a few years ago, I came across an original DMCL Concept image, and now I
am re-imagining my D Convertible closer to the original DMC commissioned concept.
A few of the inspirational drawings, sketches and photos attached below.
Attachment 2337
Attachment 2338
Attachment 2339
Attachment 2340
Later,
Rich W.
4 Attachment(s)
First Generation - Rear Deck Fiberglass Fabrication
The DeLorean Convertible project fabrication work started in Spring of 2002.
Having a couple sets of burned rear quarter panels (mostly burned at C-pillars),
I cut and trimmed down one set, to identify the "lines" needed for the rear deck
fiberglass fabrication work. Once the lines were identified and marked out, the
rear deck fiberglass fabrication work began. Eric Weber did this fiberglass work.
Attaching a few photos of the first generation fiberglass fabrication work done
in advance of the DCS 2002 event in Memphis. (the raw, unpainted fiberglass)
Attachment 2356
Attachment 2357
Attachment 2358
Attachment 2359
Later,
Rich W.
2 Attachment(s)
Rear Deck v2.0 - the Re-Start
In early Spring 2011, I decided to begin the re-design of the rear deck area
to more closely match the DeLorean Convertible Concept that was sketched
for the original DeLorean Motor Company back in October of 1981.
As with any work based on concept sketch, there were plently of decisions
that had to be made to make the concept functional and in at least a few
cases, changes needed to be made to make the concept a reality.
So, as I display some of the progress photos, I will explain most of the reasons
for the changes...some subtle, some practical and some due to the current,
stock layout of a production DeLorean, such as engine placement height, etc.
The Rear Deck v2.0 currently in progress will not be identical to the sketch
primarily due to the engine placement height, and I do not plan to lower the
engine, trans. and suspension, just to make the rear deck look identical.
With this in mind, here are a couple photos from earlier this Spring, with the
original convertible rear deck styling pieces removed, with the base car being
prepped for the first of the new rear deck pieces to be fabricated.
Also note the Recaro Driver Seat in the car in the second photo. Although I
have original early 80's Recaro Seats with mesh headrests, I may decide to
use these mid 80's Recaro Seats, with built-in headrest speakers.
Recaros with headrest speakers seem like a good upgrade for a Convertible.
Attachment 2599
Attachment 2600
More progress photos to follow.
Later,
Rich W.
2 Attachment(s)
Rear Deck v2.0 - More Progress (photos)
As with most of the rest of the U.S., the Chicago area has been having
a very hot Summer this year, which is not great weather when you need
to work with fiberglass resin, so the Rear Deck progress has been slow.
However, I did take a couple quick iPhone photos this week of the new
rear deck and it is really starting to take shape. As mentioned before,
it will not be an exact match to the concept sketch, but pretty close.
Attaching a couple photos of the current level of rear deck progress.
Attachment 3163
Attachment 3164
Next are the additions of the NACA Air Ducts in the rear deck lid and
the custom fabrication of the rear wing (based on a production wing)
with the wing ends modified (with winglets) to match the concept.
Later,
Rich W.