Thank you for the complement!
Does replacing so many items seem like a rebuild or just building a new car? That's a good question. One that was first asked like 12-13 years ago on the DML. It started out as a debate on originality vs. building a "clone car" with a recycled VIN, but quickly derailed into an Animistic thread over the "soul" of the car. That's when it was terminated. The debate also came back later over DMCH's "refurbished" cars that would replace so many pieces of the car, plus potentially drive train components, is the car still "original" enough to be called a true DeLorean?
In both cases the legal provenance of a subjected vehicle is called into question about which component is the VIN tag permanently associated with when it comes to a cab over chassis design? If the underbody is damaged and we replace it and move the VIN tag, all is well. If we roll an alternate chassis underneath the car, no change. But if we perform BOTH operations at the same time, that's just an illegal VIN swap. But there is a solution...
But first, are cars like this salvageable?
The simple answer for myself is Nevada Revised Statute NRS 487.760 which I would use as a preliminary guideline for restoring a significantly damaged vehicle:
Nonrepairable vehicle means a motor vehicle other than an abandoned vehicle, as defined in NRS 487.210, that:
1. Has value only as a source of parts or scrap metal;
2. Has been designated by its owner for dismantling as a source of parts or scrap metal;
3. Has been stripped of all body panels, doors, hatches, substantially all interior components and substantially all grill and light assemblies; or
4. Has been burned, destroyed or otherwise damaged to such an extent that it cannot be returned to a condition which is legal for operation on the highways of this State.
1. No. The vehicles shown here have many usable parts still.
2. If Ron gets to keep the vehicles, it's his choice on what to do with them, so this becomes a No as well.
3. No. The overwhelming majority of parts as still in place.
4. No, they are repairable.
The big thing here to though is still the economics of the situation. If you're looking to make a profit, this is not the car for you. But if you want a new DeLorean challenge and aren't interested in a Time Machine conversion or a Concourse competetor, vehicles like this are the perfect answer. You can restore them or even better customize them! Spray on a paint job, toss in a radical interior, perform a crazy engine swap, or whatever else you want to do guilt free! No one is going to look down on you for "ruining" a perfectly good DeLorean at all. Hell, they'll shake your hand and thank you for saving one! No one cares anymore about the "originality" of the cars at this point, and that's the best part. So you no longer have to worry about maintaining the original drivetrain components, or even interior ones when you're no longer restoring and instead just building.
Damaged cars like this are very sad. Not just for the car, but the owner. I feel bad for Ron, and hopefully he and his family are safe. But damaged vehicles also present rare opportunities as well for those that wish to pursue them to make custom cars that many in the community would otherwise possibly look down upon. That actually gives them a decent value boost in their current condition compared to other marques.
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that yellow car was bitchin, and the other one was just sweet. I don't even want to look at the pics.
Originally Posted by mr_maxime
