Have funds, need DeLorean..

[PeterBiggerstaff]

Hi Guys,

Please don't dismiss this as another "I want a cheap DeLorean in mint condition" thread!

I live in New Zealand, and am serious about importing a DeLorean from the USA. I've been doing the research for over 2 years now, so I know what you get for your money. So far I have saved $20,000NZD which equates to roughly $18,000USD although its going to cost me around $4000USD to import to NZ.

On top of this I'm currently working as much overtime as I can, meaning I am putting away around $1,200USD per fortnight, plus a little more on the first of each month when I get my overtime pay.

So as you can see, I have the funds ready to go, I don't need any finance and I'm not a time waster!

Ultimately I'd like to purchase a DeLorean for around $20,000USD but thought I'd put some feelers out ahead of time in case a project car comes up in the meantime that I can restore, perhaps something in the $10,000 to $18,000 line.

My only real criteria are:
Panels must be undamaged, as it is not economically viable to import new panels (nearly $1500USD per panel)
Must be a manual
Must be drivable (for importation reasons)
Interior must be complete, but condition is unimportant
I would consider a painted DeLorean if the above criteria are met.

Any other repair work weather it be Engine, Suspension, Interior etc. I can do myself.

The other factor is of course the importation itself, I need to be able to work with someone who has the patience for me to arrange the importation, which means ebay isn't a good place for me to be looking. Also there is the "trust" issue, which is why I'd perfer to work with a dealer, but if someone here can vouch for a seller, that's ok with me too. The worst thing in the world would be sending over my hard earned money then get nothing in return!

I am aware that the cheaper DeLoreans sell VERY fast as almost every time I contact someone about one, they have almost always sold within a few days of being posted, so again this comes down to someone who is willing to be patient with a serious overseas buyer.

[ccurzio]

The best piece of advice I can offer you here and now is that people are going to be very, very cautious about doing business with someone overseas. Especially someone as new to the community as yourself.

I'm not saying you're actually a scammer and you don't come off as one at all, but just bear in mind that it's not always easy to buy a DeLorean and even harder when you're on a different continent.

Be patient and communicate well with your potential seller and you should do all right. Good luck.

[Dangermouse]

Fwiw, I discovered Peter's DeLorean website independent of, and before he joined DMCTalk. he seems to be helping out a fellow NZ owner working on his car.

Of course I have never physically met him but he seems like a genuine guy.

Peter, you should probably start working out how you would ship a car from both the east and west coast and have all that info/contacts in place and ready to go which would make negotiations with a seller easier.

[SIMid]

Peter, are you the one with the Kiwi Delorean page on FB?

[Dangermouse]

I think so.

The one I was referring to is:

http://biggerstaff.co.nz/DeLorean/

[SIMid]

Thanks Demot,

He's been wanting one for a very long time!! I hope he can locate one for the right price and condition.

As someone mentioned, will need to factor in freight costs from where the car is located to the departure port. Will either be LA or Long Island. Not sure what the regulations are with NZ, but it would be cost effective to speak to a few importers and see what cars they bring and the condition of the cars. Not like you will know how they left originally, but could give you an indication to their process.

I spoke to a few here and got a referral from a fellow D owner. They were great here, but I was suspicious with the handling over the pond.

Even though you have a budget to work from, there will always be something that will demand immediate attention that could be costly. Also, you will have to weigh up how much it will cost to get the car registered/engineered for the road. Wont be cheap either.

Not trying to scare you, more so an awareness to what you may have to face. You don't want to buy the car and have it sit there because you have to save funds gradually before doing additional work over a period of time. So my guess off the top of my head, you will probably needs tyres, headlight conversion and maybe seatbelts.

So take your time and you will find your Delorean!

[Dangermouse]

Simon, maybe you would know this. Would a buyer of an US east coast car actually ship it from Long Island (to NZ) or would he have to transport it to the West Coast first?

I guess what I am asking is are there cargo ships between LI and NZ?

[SIMid]

I know of an owner here who shipped his car from Long Island and took (I think) a few extra weeks if it came from CA, but it was cheaper as well.

Really depends how desperate you want the car in your hands!

I guess it will depend where the car is located and then, work out costs from where it should go to be shipped.

[ArnieBrandon]

Simon, maybe you would know this. Would a buyer of an US east coast car actually ship it from Long Island (to NZ) or would he have to transport it to the West Coast first?

I guess what I am asking is are there cargo ships between LI and NZ?

Contact Toby Peterson at DeLorean Motor Company Northwest (DMCNW) Located in Bellevue, Washington, USA (Seattle area) ( at [email protected]. He has shipped quite a few cars to Australia/NZ (including one of mine). An EXTREMELY HONEST dealer who can fill your needs/desires without hesitiation, and you can be reasured of an honest deal.
Arnie Brandon
President, Pacific Northwest DeLorean Club (PNDC)
See www.pndc.org for further infomation

[PeterBiggerstaff]

Hey Guys,

First of thanks for reading my post and taking the time to comment.

Yes, I am the owner of the Kiwi DeLorean Registry site, as well as the Kiwi DeLoreans facebook page.

I have had a few quotes from shipping companies, and the best service (ie what I get for my money) is McCullough’s (http://www.mmnz.biz/). For $5000NZD they will arrange pick-up in the US though a brokerage, loading, marine insurance, unloading, border inspection, fumigation and transport to my house.

My plan is to get the car to my garage, then start saving again to get all the red tape done to get it on the road, then start doing the restoration work from there. Of course I may need to do some work to get it road legal, but once I have it in the garage, there is really no rush. The reason for wanting to get it on the road before starting the restoration (apart from obvious impatience of "I have a DeLorean and want to show off" is that I have learned from previous restoration experience, its far easier to get parts and repair work done if you can just drive it to the shop!

I have a lot of car restoration experience and my dad has owned more Volvos that I can count, so knows the PRV V6 like the back of his hand.

I'm going to keep an eye on this forum, and I'm doing daily checks on several sites so hopefully something may come up soon.