Hey everyone. I've just had Life's Great Hammer drop on me all at once and it looks like my participation in this dream is going to have to come to a close.
Some of you are familiar with my basket case of a car. I realize that its current condition is not exactly a highly marketable one. I also realize that some of you have been quietly chanting "gonna see that one for sale soon" for the past four years or so. Here's your chance: you were right.
Realistically (and I mean realistically, please don't console me with pie in the sky value) what could I get for it?
Here's the status.
August 1981 manual grooved hood gray interior, ~36,000 miles.
Engine modified for 3.0L slightly higher compression pistons on odd-fire crank and block
EFI conversion 80% complete. No throttle position sensor or idle, and no ignition control (stock ignition in place). Not completely tuned to the level of a modern car, but less quirky than K-Jet. Realistically it might be easier for the end user to swap for a carb or go back to K-Jet. I was not planning to sell this car this soon and my documentation of the modifications is nonexistant, although if the buyer wants to retain MegaSquirt I'd be happy to detail everything I know for them.
Engine currently not running due to a tap broken off in the cylinder head in one of the manifold bolt holes. The most economical method to fix this is to replace the driver's side cylinder head and/or have the head professionally milled out and either carefully helicoiled (the tap was to helicoil an already damaged thread) or weld a stud in. The engine was running beautifully before I decided to chase that thread.
Old Yokohama AVS tires on the front, need replacing
Interior is about 60%. Headliners are slightly stained, both seats need recovers along with the rear speaker panels, binnacle is cracked and there is some miscellaneous wear here and there.
Wiring... the wiring on this car is a mess. Much of the original harness was lost when I bought it and there's a lot of EFI wiring in place. Easily removed if necessary (I think there are two or three connectors into the factory harness) but if someone wants to go back to K-Jet it'll need basically all new harnesses.
Carpets are acceptable, floor mats are not.
Converted to R134a, compressor leaks slightly and could use a professional rebuild. All new hoses, accumulator only a few years old and barely run, VOV installed, evaporator box rebuilt and the entire system thoroughly flushed at the time.
Given all of this (and I could probably write a novel on the million tiny things wrong with it) I know the value isn't great. Here's the good:
Frame condition is good. Minor non-structural rust but the plating is mostly intact.
New (zero mile) Kumho Ecsta ASX rear tires, 225/60/R15
Shift linkage recently updated with new bushings and shift cable, shifts beautifully
Fascias recently repainted
Engine covers recently repainted
Tail lights unfaded
Engine bay completely repainted. The fiberglass of the engine bay is probably the nicest feature on the car.
Lots of incidentals, e.g. stainless engine cover inserts, Wings-a-Loft door launchers and locks, comes with new in the box DPI door seals, Motorola alternator in box (needs factory pulley but comes with the new alternator adjuster linkage design)
Comes with original window sticker, warranty card, owner's manual, literally every piece of paper it came with
Doors work really well, minor adjustment needed on driver's door
I will also be selling any and all of my DeLorean related paraphernalia including some posters, a Covercraft car cover, any parts I have of value, some books, T-shirts if anyone wants them, DCS 2012 merchandise (group photo, T-shirt, VIN plate), and anything else I can dredge up. Whoever gets the car will get the Full Owner Experience starter kit of everything I've ever accumulated.
Given the history of the car and its current state, I'd consider it slightly above a parts car or a moderately involved (i.e. not a frame-off but not easy) restoration. It could go either way. I have a figure in mind but I'm hoping it's low. The main problem is the engine not being able to be reassembled. If I could bolt it back together it would fire up on the first try.
My expectation is that I'll probably end up selling it to DMC Florida for them to tear down and rebuild eventually, or scrap it for the left fender and torsion bars and such. I'd prefer it to go to a good home but it'll take someone with Chris Burns' enthusiasm and Tony Ierardi's resources to make it what it should have been.
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Originally Posted by Ryan King
