Finally! First time Delorean owner!

[drdelorean]

After many years of dreaming, I can finally address myself as a Delorean owner!

First of all I would like to thank everyone here helping me lead the way to finding the car of my dreams, great tips and suggestions.

The car is 1982, manual transmission, grey interior and under 2000 miles!

I have been driving the car around for a week and it runs and drives real nice, it looks like it rolled right out off the factory interior and exterior wise.
The AC does not work so it is a hazzle to drive now during summer. But other than that everything seems to work.

I have already turned it over to DMC california where they will:

Change tires (original tires were on, looked brand new)
Swap out speedometer to the 140mph
Fix the AC
Stage 2 upgrade
and change out whatever rubber or other parts that needs to be replaced.

This was the first time I have driven a Delorean, and I must admit it drove a lot better than what I had imagined. Although I thought maybe the steering was a bit heavy, I mean I have driven other old cars with and without servo, but this seemed almost like driving a tanks. Is that the way Deloreans are, or might this be because of the old tires or maybe something else?
Also the clutch felt a bit hard. I have also driven other sports cars, mustang etc. where the clutch have felt hard, but in this car it was almost painful to drive through 5 traffic lights. Don't know if this is just how they are or if the clutch should be adjusted.

Again thank you guys so much, I love this place, I found answers for a lot of things while mucking around here.
And I'm sure I will ask thousands of more questions in time, so please bare with me!

Cheers

29209

[DMC-81]

Congratulations! Welcome to ownership.

As far as your hard clutch is concerned, I am also new to the Deloreans, but my clutch is not heavy. I would suggest first looking at the clutch master cylinder and the slave cylinder.

[Rich]

...... it drove a lot better than what I had imagined. Although I thought maybe the steering was a bit heavy, I mean I have driven other old cars with and without servo, but this seemed almost like driving a tanks. Is that the way Deloreans are, or might this be because of the old tires or maybe something else?

Well, congrats on getting hold of a nice one and welcome to DeLorean ownership. Neat photo, too.

About the steering effort:
1. Yes, at low/parking speeds it can be a handful.
2. Once you get going above 5MPH or so it's no big deal. Or shouldn't be.
3. There are some things you can do that make it easier to steer at low speed:

a. Make sure the front tires are inflated properly
b. Adjust the driving position such that you and the wheel are closer to each other. Better leverage and all. Seat position and rake plus adjusting the telescoping steering column can be beneficial.

While you have it at DMC be sure they check the steering rack lube level. It's not usually a problem. And, of course, have them make sure the rack isn't binding for some reason. That's a quick test when the car is up.

Your new tires will probably have less tread coverage (higher % open space on the tread for better wet performance) than your original NCTs did so the new tires alone might reduce the steering effort, especially when the car's at a stop.

Even with all that the steering will be heavy at low speed, like it is all the other D's. Wide-ish tires, no power assist, a short steering ratio for good high-speed response, small steering wheel diameter. Surprised you did not mention the (large) turning radius. They all do that, too.

Enjoy your new ride after it gets its updates. You have a good plan there.

[Silverbullet]

Sounds like a great car, congrats and WELCOME... Danny can fix anything, and make it better. Where did you find your car? What city do you live in?

Craig

[STAINLS]

CONGRATS and welcome!!

[Mike F]

Congratulations!

[Kukem]

Congrats and welcome! Looks like a few new owners in the last week now! Exciting news!

[drdelorean]

Well, congrats on getting hold of a nice one and welcome to DeLorean ownership. Neat photo, too.

About the steering effort:
1. Yes, at low/parking speeds it can be a handful.
2. Once you get going above 5MPH or so it's no big deal. Or shouldn't be.
3. There are some things you can do that make it easier to steer at low speed:

a. Make sure the front tires are inflated properly
b. Adjust the driving position such that you and the wheel are closer to each other. Better leverage and all. Seat position and rake plus adjusting the telescoping steering column can be beneficial.

While you have it at DMC be sure they check the steering rack lube level. It's not usually a problem. And, of course, have them make sure the rack isn't binding for some reason. That's a quick test when the car is up.

Your new tires will probably have less tread coverage (higher % open space on the tread for better wet performance) than your original NCTs did so the new tires alone might reduce the steering effort, especially when the car's at a stop.

Even with all that the steering will be heavy at low speed, like it is all the other D's. Wide-ish tires, no power assist, a short steering ratio for good high-speed response, small steering wheel diameter. Surprised you did not mention the (large) turning radius. They all do that, too.

Enjoy your new ride after it gets its updates. You have a good plan there.

Thanks for the tips and I'm sure your right, new tires will definitely make a difference!

And thanks for all the congratulations comments, it's fun to be a part of this community, cheers!

[Domi]

Congratulation on your purchase :)

[ALEXAKOS]

Great!
First time Delorean owner and you already call your self DrDelorean? :hihi2:
Should be expecting some interesting involvements from you Doc:)
Good to have you aboard and enjoy a GREAT DeLorean!

[Silverbullet]

Sounds like a great car, congrats and WELCOME... Danny can fix anything, and make it better. Where did you find your car? What city do you live in?

Craig

Guess you don't want to say....

[drdelorean]

Guess you don't want to say....

Oops sorry about that, totally overlooked your comment. I currently live in Norway and LA, but the car will for now live in Glendale, in the hills near glenoaks blvd borderline Burbank ;) Oh found the car online on autotraderclassics! Cheers!

[Silverbullet]

Oops sorry about that, totally overlooked your comment. I currently live in Norway and LA, but the car will for now live in Glendale, in the hills near glenoaks blvd borderline Burbank ;) Oh found the car online on autotraderclassics! Cheers!

You will really enjoy it alot more when you get it back... The AC is a must... And a little more power won't hurt... Let us know what you think when you get it back...

Craig

[thomasuncles]

Oops sorry about that, totally overlooked your comment. I currently live in Norway and LA, but the car will for now live in Glendale, in the hills near glenoaks blvd borderline Burbank ;) Oh found the car online on autotraderclassics! Cheers!

We should get together sometime then. I'm in Burbank over on Buena Vista & Burbank Blvd. You may have seen me driving around before... I'm from Germany so being from Europe is something else we have in common :) I use a great DeLorean repair shop in Chatsworth, much closer to us up here in the Glendale/ Burbank area and they are great too. Congrats! Tom

[drdelorean]

You will really enjoy it alot more when you get it back... The AC is a must... And a little more power won't hurt... Let us know what you think when you get it back...

Craig

Yeah it will definitely be more pleasant driving with cool air! I'll post pictures and let you guys know how that car is, can't wait to get it back!

[drdelorean]

We should get together sometime then. I'm in Burbank over on Buena Vista & Burbank Blvd. You may have seen me driving around before... I'm from Germany so being from Europe is something else we have in common :) I use a great DeLorean repair shop in Chatsworth, much closer to us up here in the Glendale/ Burbank area and they are great too. Congrats! Tom

Thank you Tom! Yeah for sure! And I will check out the shop in Chatsworth, what is it called btw?

[drdelorean]

Great!
First time Delorean owner and you already call your self DrDelorean? :hihi2:
Should be expecting some interesting involvements from you Doc:)
Good to have you aboard and enjoy a GREAT DeLorean!

Haha "tongue in cheek" of course ;)

Thanks, cheers!