Last Photograph taken at the DeLorean plant in Dunmurry

[content22207]

These cars were early cars - of this I have no doubt.

Car pictured has an early style gas flap hood.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Rich W]

Bill,

Actually, although the car has a gas flap hood (rather obvious in the photo),
it cannot be determined if it is an early gas flap hood or just a gas flap hood.

There are two different versions of the gas flap hood that can only be determined
by examining the mounting locations of the hood hinges.

The early gas flap hood is mounted with bolts through the hinges and into threaded
plates that have been bonded into the fiberglass support section of the hood.

The later style gas flap hood (and all other production DeLorean hoods) are mounted
with nuts and washers onto studded plates bonded into the fiberglass support section
of the hood. The change appears to have been made to install the hood more easily.
Having removed and installed a few of each type of gas flap hood, I would agree.

Later,
Rich W.

[content22207]

Irrespective, that car wasn't built in the summer of 1982.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Rich W]

Nonsense...(could not resist)

This car could have been "completed" in the Summer of 1982 or Winter 1982.

The last car built...VIN20105...the last gold car, built on December 24, 1982
used the "spare" gold plated gas flap hood. This is a well documented late car.

In addition, many "1983" DeLoreans had the early "1981" style mufflers installed,
since that was what was available, in quantity, at the time, in late 1982.

Later,
Rich W.

[content22207]

Are you calling Nick a liar?

Bill Robertson
#5939

[nick sutton]

I that I case must see a priest to get absolution not easy at 10 O'clock at night.

[Rich W]

Nonsense...you need to lay off the Cheerwine a bit, Bill...

The last car "built" does not imply the last car to "leave" the factory.

Irrespective of the facts, Bill will never admit to saying anything wrong.

Let's try not to clutter this excellent thread from Nick any further.

Thanks,
Rich W.

[nick sutton]

I have been thinking about the DNA of the early cars and the difference between these and the later ones. Exterior body parts alone don't tell the full story because we cannabalised parts from early cars to later ones (The Middle East cars are a good example of this process)

The way to identify an early car is the A post structure. This was a difficult part to make and one of the last parts to be released for production. So the cars made ( I recall) in January,February and early March had a GRP sub structure to the A post trim (GRP parts made by Lotus). Mid March it changed to a vacuum forming then ( I believe) to a fibre form low cost structure.

If in doubt rip off your A post covers and take a look.

Nick

[A Van]

I am sure I have seen somewhere a copy of the brochure for that auction which detailed the Vins, also I think 1-2 were registered, narrows it down slightly.

[A Van]

I think also 1-2 RHD sold at the same auction?