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Thread: Need advice. I just inherited a 1981 Delorean with 1,248 miles. Been in dry storage

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date:  Aug 2016

    Posts:    30

    Need advice. I just inherited a 1981 Delorean with 1,248 miles. Been in dry storage

    I have inherited a basically brand new Delorean from my grandfather & need advice on what steps need to happen to make it totally roadworthy/dependable because I plan to drive it regularly. I just want to do it right.

    My grandfather bought 2 deloreans new in 1981. One he drove for about 25,000mi before parking... the other (a 5-speed) he drove for a couple weeks & parked it in dry storage & it hasn't moved since about 1983. Not cranked or anything.

    The one I'm getting has 1,248 miles on it.. looks absolutely brand new inside, outside and underneath.

    I hear that it will need a lot of electrical upgrades, fuel system completely cleaned (or replaced?), possibly all new brakes... Anything else?

    I'd love to find a real expert in Tennessee or George to perform the 1st pass of work for me rather than having to haul it to DMC-FL (<< Unless DMC-FL is really the highly recommended path to go).

    Once it has all been upgraded & made totally roadworthy I feel confident that I will be able to maintain it myself & fix small things that come up here and there.

    Let me know your thoughts!

  2. #2
    Gess dodint's Avatar
    Join Date:  Nov 2015

    Location:  Pittsburgh, PA

    Posts:    363

    My VIN:    Between VINs

    What an exciting opportunity.

    I don't have anything of value to add, so I'll be first to ask what the VIN is since it's inevitable.

  3. #3
    Member
    Join Date:  Aug 2016

    Posts:    30

    I should have written down the VIN# on it when I went to see it last weekend. It will be several months before the estate is settled & the car is physically released to me. So I have a little time to prepare & get my plans together for repairs / etc.

    Quote Originally Posted by dodint View Post
    What an exciting opportunity.

    I don't have anything of value to add, so I'll be first to ask what the VIN is since it's inevitable.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date:  Mar 2014

    Location:  Lansing, MI

    Posts:    490

    My VIN:    04194: 5-Speed, Black Int, 79 Peugeot 604 Manifold, 05052: 5-Speed, Gray Int, 78 Peugeot 604 manifol

    Welcome to the DeLorean community! You may want to contact Lawrence in Kentucky, he is probably the closest Delorean tech to your area.

    Andrew
    4194
    5052

  5. #5
    Senior Member bfloyd's Avatar
    Join Date:  Nov 2014

    Location:  Lebanon, Tennessee

    Posts:    389

    My VIN:    3294

    What part of Tennessee are you in? I'm in Lebanon (30 minutes east of Nashville).

    While I'm no EXPERT, I am a fellow owner who has rebuilt my own car after it had sat untouched for 20 years. As a "newby", I can tell you the information shared on these forums are absolutely invaluable.
    Barry Floyd
    Lebanon, Tennessee
    VIN 3294 - Aug. 81

  6. #6
    Senior Member DavidProehl's Avatar
    Join Date:  May 2011

    Location:  Maple Grove, MN (Minneapolis)

    Posts:    1,422

    My VIN:    05457

    Sounds like you are approaching it the right way. Shipping the car to DMC-FL would be the best option, they will appreciate the pristine condition and understand the necessary upgrades required more so than any local shop, even if that local shop has worked on DeLoreans.

    I would recommend biting the bullet and shipping it. You got a perfect car for free, so spending the money up front to keep it perfect would be the right thing to do. A flawless, low mileage running car like you are intending to have could be worth $40k on the private market. While admittedly unlikely, I'd hate to see a local shop screw that up and leave you with a $30k car.
    David Proehl

  7. #7
    Senior Member mluder's Avatar
    Join Date:  May 2011

    Location:  Happy Valley, OR

    Posts:    1,709

    My VIN:    4456 - Owner since March 2011

    Club(s):   (PNDC)

    Alternatively you can send it to DeLorean Performance Industries in Akron, Ohio. While I've never had him work on my car, Josh at DPI seems very thorough and thoughtful.

    Cheers
    Steven
    Cheers
    Steven Maguire
    #4456


    IT'S A TRAP!!!!!

  8. #8
    Custom DeLorean Builder Rich W's Avatar
    Join Date:  May 2011

    Location:  Chicagoland area

    Posts:    1,898

    My VIN:    A few, by name... DeLorean Monster Truck, DeLorean Roadster, DeLorean Hovercraft, DeLorean Limo

    Club(s):   (DMWC) (DCUK)

    Keep your options open. Since you mentioned it may take a few months before you take possession of the car, you have time to check several options.

    The DeLorean Convention and Show has had DMC Midwest help restore two DeLoreans (for the DCS Raffle Cars) within the last 18 months.
    The 2015 Raffle Car has put on over 5,000 miles since October 2015 and the 2016 Raffle Car put on over 1,000 "test miles" by July 22, 2016.

    The 2016 Raffle Car was "revived" after being stored for the last 12 - 15 years (half of your storage) and the car needed plenty of attention.

    DMC Midwest uses an enclosed trailer (via Gullwing Transport) for transporting, which I highly recommend for DeLoreans, whenever possible.

    I know Mike schedules transports a few times a month and you can schedule your pick-up on a weekend, which can make things even easier.

  9. #9
    Senior Member DavidProehl's Avatar
    Join Date:  May 2011

    Location:  Maple Grove, MN (Minneapolis)

    Posts:    1,422

    My VIN:    05457

    Quote Originally Posted by Rich W View Post
    DMC Midwest uses an enclosed trailer (via Gullwing Transport) for transporting, which I highly recommend for DeLoreans, whenever possible.
    Completely agree with this. DMC-MW has done great work on my car. I recommended DMC-FL since the OP listed them, and I'm assuming he is substantially closer to them.

    Enclosed trailers are the way to go. It doesn't take much searching on this site to find threads of people that regret going with a basic trailer (rock damage, broken louvers, etc).
    David Proehl

  10. #10
    Senior Member Dangermouse's Avatar
    Join Date:  May 2011

    Location:  Atlanta OTP GA

    Posts:    7,084

    My VIN:    2743

    Club(s):   (SEDOC) (DCH) (DCUK) (DOC-UK)

    Where are you and where is the car?

    You mentioned TN and GA.
    Dermot
    VIN 2743, B/A, Frame 2227, engine 2320

    I don't always drive cars, but when I do, I prefer DeLoreans

    http://www.will-to-live.org

    No-one is to stone anyone, even, and I want to make this absolutely clear, even if they do say "carburetor"

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