Belfast Trip (lots of photos)

[matt clark]

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to Belfast with former DMC employee Barrie Wills (who you will know if you're a DMC history buff). He's arranging a reunion for the former workers and employees of DMC and I tagged along to see the historical sights. Some of these photos aren't great as I only took my iPhone with me, but here you go anyway:

First port of call: the old Factory!

http://i.imgur.com/8NLucLm.jpg

While Barrie talked to others about arranging the reunion, I was given a tour of the floor where they cast/machine engine blocks. Everyone I met there had photos on their phones of the occasional DeLorean visitor, and many who were former DMC staff couldn't stop telling me how much they enjoyed their job and how it was the best they've ever had.

http://i.imgur.com/FhY1OP4.jpg
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http://i.imgur.com/NSNeqdK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CHwupsc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6iHwyUd.jpg

One of the huge foundries:

http://i.imgur.com/FG9QxKV.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1qKh65i.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/I1JQF2y.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Nmo45W1.jpg
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View of the test track from one side:

http://i.imgur.com/0Qef8hN.jpg

And then on the main test track:

http://i.imgur.com/a8kxDi7.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/TSwIAmi.jpg

The company that owns the factory didn't want me to go explore the track for health and safety reasons (slippery leaves, apparently...!) so I only got those two photos. After that it was on to the Folk and Transport musuem, where they have the Guigario epo-wood model.

http://i.imgur.com/lDMdvCk.jpg

Everyone knows what that left side looks like - but the right side is the originally 1976 / Bill Collins shape and for some reason the museum have that side facing the wall. Fortunately the museum managers let me behind the glass to photograph the 1976 side in more detail.

http://i.imgur.com/evBEMtE.jpg
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The model was really cool to see. The panel lines and lights are all made from graphic tape, but it's still fascinating to compare the two styles in person. They also had the 50k endurance test car (no VIN that I could read but I'm sure someone knows it) as well as an exposed chassis.

http://i.imgur.com/B7WRMSY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/peAZmaI.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3Pof4Nl.jpg

(anyone know what this Unipart bit was? Obviously test gear for the 50K car but couldn't ID it)

http://i.imgur.com/dQhu4cQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xhXz1AQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rvzk6lJ.jpg

Barrie was interviewed by UTV while at the factory - when we returned the hotel, our trip was already on TV :)

http://i.imgur.com/9DZmWMU.jpg

Then we went onto the Warren House - if you've read either Nick Sutton or Ivan Fallon's books, you'll know about all this place:

http://i.imgur.com/5oAGa9y.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hfd4RbB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/B5cN6Yb.jpg

We then met a load of former DMC employees - Dick Mullholland, Joe Murray, George Crane and Nick Sutton who showed us loads of personal memorabilia and factory paperwork.

http://i.imgur.com/c7vEXHm.jpg
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[rileydawgg]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[Dangermouse]

Great pictures, thanks Matt

[SIMid]

Wow! Awesome! Felt like I was there!

Thanks for posting :)

[Rich_NYS]

Cool....!

[Ryan King]

Thank you for sharing all your photos. I really enjoyed looking through them.

[matt clark]

Apologies for all the typos in the first post. Even proof read it, but am a bit sleep deprived.

The photos really don't convey how HUGE the factory was. Must have been a hell of an operation in it's day.

[Andy]

I've met Joe Murray and Nick Sutton a few times. They're great guys, aren't they? Once you get Joe to talk about DeLoreans, he doesn't stop anymore ... :-) Seems like the testtrack is overgrown again?

Next factorystop for me is 2016 for the next Eurofest ; if all goes well, I'll be back for a few more laps around the track (hopefully it still exists by then).

[DL4567]

Epic post!

[chris williams]

Great pictures Matt
Chris

[john 05141]

great pictures, enjoyed them all. Great you were inside the factory too. At Eurofest some cars are allowed inside which is great, mine was.
The testtrack still looks pretty good, if you saw the pictures of the track before they cleaned it in 2011, you know what I mean

I'm looking forward to Eurofest 2016, I can't wait. I hope we may drive the track again, or at least I hope it will still be there. But seeing those picutures and the note at the Warren house... Of course I read Nick's book. I think I will read it again just prior to the next Eurofest. (Have to take that book with me for Nick to sign...)
Looks loke the Warren house may need some care tough.

Jan

[vps3922]

Thank you for sharing. I also have a pic with me in front of the DeLorean in the Folk and Transport museum. I shed a tear seeing the fog lights and the messed up T-panel with a roof antenna, but it was the first time I ever saw a DeLorean in real life so this did not really impact my experience. I still cannot believe that I have one of them now in my garage.

Again: thanks for sharing. Brings up old memories. I will have to visit the factory next time I visit Belfast.

[ILM1010]

Great post!

[Jeffu]

Loved this post! Thank you for taking the time to put this together. Felt like I was right there.

[Domi]

Thank you very much for sharing all these great pictures with us :thumbup:
By the way, the VIN of the test car is 514, I really hope to be able to see it someday.