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Thread: DeLorean Roadster Convertible - Sketch to Stainless (photos)

  1. #1
    Custom DeLorean Builder Rich W's Avatar
    Join Date:  May 2011

    Location:  Chicagoland area

    Posts:    1,898

    My VIN:    A few, by name... DeLorean Monster Truck, DeLorean Roadster, DeLorean Hovercraft, DeLorean Limo

    Club(s):   (DMWC) (DCUK)

    DeLorean Roadster Convertible - Sketch to Stainless (photos)

    As with many DeLorean owners and enthusiasts, I saw my first Concept image
    of a DeLorean Convertible back in the Winter of 1987, as a drawing on the cover
    of DeLorean World. The sketches were done by a Chicago area cover artist
    Theodore C. Alexander, Jr. for Dick Shipman of the DOA and DeLorean World.

    After seeing this idea, I had sketched several of my own versions over the next
    few years (especially while I was supposed to be taking "notes" in College), but
    the next time I was inspired to make another sketch was after meeting JZD in
    person, at DCS 2000, at the same time I sketched the DeLorean Limousine.

    After starting on the DeLorean Limo frame in 2001, there was an Open House at
    DMC Houston where I saw another DeLorean Convertible sketch that was "found"
    at the warehouse in Columbus, which was raffled off later at that event. I did
    not win the raffle for this item, but I did take a photo of the framed sketch.

    After acquiring a few fire damaged DeLoreans in 2001 and 2002, including a donor
    car with roof damage, it was time to try to make the D Convertible into a reality.

    My D Convertible is still a Work-In-Progress, and of course, it remains a Roadster
    until an actual convertible hard top or retracting soft top is fully installed.

    Then, a few years ago, I came across an original DMCL Concept image, and now I
    am re-imagining my D Convertible closer to the original DMC commissioned concept.

    A few of the inspirational drawings, sketches and photos attached below.

    DW-Winter-87.jpg

    dmc-conv-sketch.jpg

    RW-conv-line-draw.JPG

    Concept-DeLorean-Convertible.JPG

    Later,
    Rich W.
    Last edited by Rich W; 07-05-2011 at 04:33 PM. Reason: Fixed type-o

  2. #2
    Custom DeLorean Builder Rich W's Avatar
    Join Date:  May 2011

    Location:  Chicagoland area

    Posts:    1,898

    My VIN:    A few, by name... DeLorean Monster Truck, DeLorean Roadster, DeLorean Hovercraft, DeLorean Limo

    Club(s):   (DMWC) (DCUK)

    First Generation - Rear Deck Fiberglass Fabrication

    The DeLorean Convertible project fabrication work started in Spring of 2002.

    Having a couple sets of burned rear quarter panels (mostly burned at C-pillars),
    I cut and trimmed down one set, to identify the "lines" needed for the rear deck
    fiberglass fabrication work. Once the lines were identified and marked out, the
    rear deck fiberglass fabrication work began. Eric Weber did this fiberglass work.

    Attaching a few photos of the first generation fiberglass fabrication work done
    in advance of the DCS 2002 event in Memphis. (the raw, unpainted fiberglass)

    fiber-fab1.jpg

    fiber-fab2.jpg

    fiber-fab3.jpg

    fiber-fab4.jpg

    Later,
    Rich W.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date:  May 2011

    Location:  Tampa, FL

    Posts:    102

    My VIN:    16995

    Club(s):   (DCF)

    Thanks Rich! I've been waiting for a more in depth look/explanation at this particular project!

  4. #4
    Custom DeLorean Builder Rich W's Avatar
    Join Date:  May 2011

    Location:  Chicagoland area

    Posts:    1,898

    My VIN:    A few, by name... DeLorean Monster Truck, DeLorean Roadster, DeLorean Hovercraft, DeLorean Limo

    Club(s):   (DMWC) (DCUK)

    A few more variations...

    Before getting too far into the build and progress photos, I thought I would
    include a few more variation sketches, photo renderings, CGI, etc.

    One is a "fan sketch" of what the Convertible may look like with the original
    single point, front swivel door hinge assembly that I had initially designed.

    One is a photo rendering (by Marty Maier) who had been working on his own
    DeLorean Convertible project up until last year, when I bought his project.
    In some areas, Marty did not get as far as I did, but in other areas, such as
    a completely redone and reinforced frame, he was way ahead of my work.

    I have not decided if I will make two identical Convertibles, two different
    variations, or re-use Marty's project car parts to build another unique project.
    Also note that Marty based his photo concept on his own Turbo DeLorean
    with his custom wheels, but I do already have a similar set of custom wheels.

    And, of course, the GTA version, which probably has gotten more exposure in
    the Gaming World than my actual car has in the "real" automotive world.

    However, I hope that will all change later this year, when I hope to re-debut
    my DeLorean Roadster, looking a lot closer to the original DMCL Concept car.

    conv-fan-sketch.JPG

    MM-Conv-concept.JPG

    dmc-convertible-gta.jpg

    Later,
    Rich W.

  5. #5
    Custom DeLorean Builder Rich W's Avatar
    Join Date:  May 2011

    Location:  Chicagoland area

    Posts:    1,898

    My VIN:    A few, by name... DeLorean Monster Truck, DeLorean Roadster, DeLorean Hovercraft, DeLorean Limo

    Club(s):   (DMWC) (DCUK)

    Found a couple photos of my BBS gold weave wheels (in as-purchased condition).

    I still have the old caps that came with the wheels, but they were "glued-on"
    when I received them, and I decided to go with a more factory look finish.

    I am not much a fan of gold painted wheels, so I am not sure if I will go with a
    gold, silver or black center section (for display purposes). I have a silver set too.

    front-bbs-gold.JPG

    rear-bbs-gold.jpg

    Later,
    Rich W.

  6. #6
    Custom DeLorean Builder Rich W's Avatar
    Join Date:  May 2011

    Location:  Chicagoland area

    Posts:    1,898

    My VIN:    A few, by name... DeLorean Monster Truck, DeLorean Roadster, DeLorean Hovercraft, DeLorean Limo

    Club(s):   (DMWC) (DCUK)

    Only 8 years apart...

    I thought I would post a couple of photos that were taken 8 years apart
    and both photos are taken at a similar angle, on the same side of the car.

    The first photo is my DeLorean Convertible Roadster Concept at DCS 2002
    in the main parking lot of the Heartbreak Hotel in Memphis, TN.

    The second photo is my DeLorean Convertible Roadster last year in 2010,
    after Chris Nicholson completed the stainless repairs on the passenger side.

    The wheels shown in the second photo are early 80's 5-spoke design wheels
    in the stock 14" and 15" sizes, similar to the 5-spoke wheels in the concept
    sketch photo (red background) found in the Kapac (Columbus) warehouse.
    These were also the original wheels that were on Screaming Yellow D.

    D-Convertible-2002.jpg

    D-Convertible-2010.jpg

    Later,
    Rich W.

  7. #7
    Custom DeLorean Builder Rich W's Avatar
    Join Date:  May 2011

    Location:  Chicagoland area

    Posts:    1,898

    My VIN:    A few, by name... DeLorean Monster Truck, DeLorean Roadster, DeLorean Hovercraft, DeLorean Limo

    Club(s):   (DMWC) (DCUK)

    Rear Deck v2.0 - the Re-Start

    In early Spring 2011, I decided to begin the re-design of the rear deck area
    to more closely match the DeLorean Convertible Concept that was sketched
    for the original DeLorean Motor Company back in October of 1981.

    As with any work based on concept sketch, there were plently of decisions
    that had to be made to make the concept functional and in at least a few
    cases, changes needed to be made to make the concept a reality.

    So, as I display some of the progress photos, I will explain most of the reasons
    for the changes...some subtle, some practical and some due to the current,
    stock layout of a production DeLorean, such as engine placement height, etc.

    The Rear Deck v2.0 currently in progress will not be identical to the sketch
    primarily due to the engine placement height, and I do not plan to lower the
    engine, trans. and suspension, just to make the rear deck look identical.

    With this in mind, here are a couple photos from earlier this Spring, with the
    original convertible rear deck styling pieces removed, with the base car being
    prepped for the first of the new rear deck pieces to be fabricated.

    Also note the Recaro Driver Seat in the car in the second photo. Although I
    have original early 80's Recaro Seats with mesh headrests, I may decide to
    use these mid 80's Recaro Seats, with built-in headrest speakers.

    Recaros with headrest speakers seem like a good upgrade for a Convertible.

    rear-deck-re-start.jpg

    rear-deck-v2-part1.jpg

    More progress photos to follow.

    Later,
    Rich W.

  8. #8
    Custom DeLorean Builder Rich W's Avatar
    Join Date:  May 2011

    Location:  Chicagoland area

    Posts:    1,898

    My VIN:    A few, by name... DeLorean Monster Truck, DeLorean Roadster, DeLorean Hovercraft, DeLorean Limo

    Club(s):   (DMWC) (DCUK)

    Rear Deck v2.0 - More Progress (photos)

    As with most of the rest of the U.S., the Chicago area has been having
    a very hot Summer this year, which is not great weather when you need
    to work with fiberglass resin, so the Rear Deck progress has been slow.

    However, I did take a couple quick iPhone photos this week of the new
    rear deck and it is really starting to take shape. As mentioned before,
    it will not be an exact match to the concept sketch, but pretty close.

    Attaching a couple photos of the current level of rear deck progress.

    RearDeckV2-2.jpg

    RearDeckV2-4.jpg

    Next are the additions of the NACA Air Ducts in the rear deck lid and
    the custom fabrication of the rear wing (based on a production wing)
    with the wing ends modified (with winglets) to match the concept.

    Later,
    Rich W.

  9. #9
    Ryan > Ruben Ryan King's Avatar
    Join Date:  May 2011

    Location:  Fresno, CA

    Posts:    1,133

    My VIN:    3997

    Rich,

    I am at a loss for words as to how damn good you are doing on this project. It is so cool. I hope to one day see the convertible. I really love that you decided to go with the original car sketch, I can slowly see this thing coming to life from the photos! I am truly amazed with your work. I applaud you, sir.

    Quick Question, are you planning on doing the DMC in the seat as show in the concept drawing? Also, will there actually BE a top for the car? Will it fold under the rear fiberglass wing or will it perhaps be a detachable top much like the older Corvettes?

    Keep up the excellent work. I will continue to follow your progress.

    -Ryan
    Living The Dream Since 2005 - VIN#3997

  10. #10
    Owner since 2007 Farrar's Avatar
    Join Date:  May 2011

    Location:  Fort Lauderdale

    Posts:    4,740

    My VIN:    02613

    Club(s):   (DCF)

    What he said.

    Plus -- I hope to see a presentation on this car at DCS in Orlando, even if it's not finished yet. Would be great to see photos and get the story in person.

    Farrar
    3.0L, automatic, carbureted

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