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

[hillbillysims]

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!

[dodint]

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.

[hillbillysims]

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.

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.

[Andrew]

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

[bfloyd]

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.

[DavidProehl]

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.

[hillbillysims]

Near Chattanooga

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.

[dn010]

Who needs a manual when you have the forum!

Check out the resource section and you will find a plethora of documentation.

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?28...Engine-Manuals

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[hillbillysims]

I posted probably 2 years ago about a Delorean I was supposed to inherit from my grandfather but the estate was still being settled.

I was finally able to go pick it up & witness it being pulled out of the warehouse where it had been stored for 34 years without ever being moved. I wasn't real sure what I would be faced with but it turns out it is in incredible condition after a good cleaning. Currently I plan to take it to DMC to have them go through the engine & replace everything that may need replacing

Here are a few pics. He bought it new in 1982. It is an '82 model, built in Dec 1981 (I thought it had 1,200 miles... but turns out it has 3,950 miles. Still very low). 5 speed with gray interior. Original NCT tires actually look brand new.

IMG_4702.jpgIMG_4707.jpgIMG_4712.jpgIMG_4713.jpgIMG_4715.jpgIMG_4717.jpgIMG_4719.jpgIMG_4720.jpgIMG_4722.jpgIMG_4723.jpgIMG_4759.jpgIMG_4760.jpgIMG_4761.jpgIMG_4781.jpgIMG_4782.jpgIMG_4795.jpgSnapseed (1).jpgSnapseed.jpg

[Delorean Industries]

Congrats! We are located a little north of you. Let us know if we can assist you in making the car road worth again!

-Josh Bengston
DeLorean Industries