You built a hot tub... out of a DeLorean?

[louielouie2000]

:facepalm:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/classic-cars/a30048/delorean-hot-tub-time-machine/

[Morpheus]

uh. ok.

[DMCVegas]

You see this? THIS is why people are really starting to hate BTTF.

[AugustneverEnds]

To each their own but what a waste of stainless panels and fascias IMHO :facepalm:

[painterdave72]

that was a waste of good doors etc...

[Brian_SS_TT]

Each his own sure...however very sad to see them chopping the car up for this. Let's hope no one uses the LFF to get in and out of the tub.

[delgato]

We should document all of this silly stuff like this that is done to Deloreans.

That way we know there is one less running car out in the world.

Hence raising the value of most any car actually on its own wheels.

[Morpheus]

Each his own sure...however very sad to see them chopping the car up for this. Let's hope no one uses the LFF to get in and out of the tub.

I just realized they used a LFF for this crap. They would have been better off building him a BTTF DeLorean than that complete waste of parts.

[Brian_SS_TT]

I just realized they used a LFF for this crap. They would have been better off building him a BTTF DeLorean than that complete waste of parts.
Completely agree with you!

[OverlandMan]

Meh. Didn't really bother me. It's not like they took a running car and chopped it all up. I think the guy would have rather had a time machine replica for the time and $ put into this.

[Dangermouse]

I would have thought DMC would be hoarding the tubs for the new production in case there is a hiccup in getting the new tubs ready.



Still, in classic game show style, did DMCCA charge the more, or less, for all those parts than the cost of the winning bid on the Tinnerstet fire damaged D?

I would say higher, higher Bob!!

[Nicholas R]

I would never have guessed that any any Back to the Future fan would rather have a hot tub, than an actually functional DeLorean... Also when they did the reveal, I feel like he should have been more excited; maybe he was bummed to find out that they hadn't actually given him a time machine converted DeLorean (what I would assume to be the ultimate prop for a "super fan"). I laughed too when he called them on not having the BTTF II license plate.

Could they seriously not put actual tires on the wheels?? Seriously? Foam tubing??

[Morpheus]

Could they seriously not put actual tires on the wheels?? Seriously? Foam tubing??

Seriously. Of all the places to cheap out on a BTTF car, they picked....tires. Spent a metric ass ton of $$ on a LFF, Driver's torsion bar, underbody, set of rims, etc. but couldn't find 4 used tires.

The guy was genuinely excited when he saw the shape of the car, but when he realized it was a hot tub, his heart sank a bit as any "superfan" of the movies would.

[mr_maxime]

As an owner of a car with a damaged LFF, I was also rather disappointed by this.

A silly delorean conversion I would like to see is turning one into a pontoon boat.

[81dmc]

They wasted the doors, torsion bars, fenders, fascias, etc.; all those parts are now one worthless pile of sh*t.

[toyotafreak88]

Well that made me a bit sick.

I can't imagie how sick the fan was when he realized his BTTF converted delorean was actually a hot tub.

ROFLMAO. :hippo::bigclap::bigclap:

This is way worse than the sand car. Not even TIRES ON THE RIMS and they are UPSIDE DOWN. "artistic liberties" ......HAHA

We do need a butchered delorean registry, but sadly this one doesn't even have a VIN# to record so realistically values haven't really changed. :thinkin:

[valdez]

Well then the Delorean outhouse will really upset you. It is still a two seater so you can have company and talk to your friend about the desecration the car receives on a daily basis. It is terrible on hot days.

[Lwanmtr]

The look on his face for a bit was kind of shock...as in 'what did you do to a delorean?'....I woulda expected the guy at DMC to steer them toward a used, damaged car..rather than selling good parts, that running cars might need.

One question I had...is that sitting on their front lawn? or is the garage in the back yard?

[Timebender]

I was kinda surprised the guys at DMC Ca were willing to sell parts for a non-running hack build, but then again they are a business first. Now I know where to get the parts I need to build my flying DeLorean project.

[DMCVegas]

I was kinda surprised the guys at DMC Ca were willing to sell parts for a non-running hack build...

Honestly, who knows if DMCCA didn't just get the parts right back.

Lots of times when you see these remodeling shows for homes or restaurants, the decorations are NOT free. If the owners want to keep them, they have to pay. So it's entirely conceivable that a few days later, the entire thing could have been dismantled and sent back into DMCCA's inventory.

[toyotafreak88]

/\ Very true. Pimp my rides was very scripted and iffy like that.

Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk

[Timebender]

Honestly, who knows if DMCCA didn't just get the parts back. So it's entirely conceivable that a few days later, the entire thing could have been dismantled and sent back into DMCCA's inventory.
Possibly, but the way they cut out the whole front bulkhead and center console (and anything else in the way), would the body tub be worth anything or even usable for a build?

[Lwanmtr]

Hard to tell if they did any welding on the fenders for support too.

[81dmc]

Last time I spoke with Stephen Wynne, he hinted that DMCH is ready to produce honeycomb bodies with a partner. This sort of makes the fiberglass tubs ancient and worthless IMHO.

[SoCalDMC12]

Last time I spoke with Stephen Wynne, he hinted that DMCH is ready to produce honeycomb bodies with a partner. This sort of makes the fiberglass tubs ancient and worthless IMHO.

Well, unless you're a stickler for originality.

[DMCVegas]

Last time I spoke with Stephen Wynne, he hinted that DMCH is ready to produce honeycomb bodies with a partner. This sort of makes the fiberglass tubs ancient and worthless IMHO.

Should already be done. The EV conversion that DMCH did a couple of years ago used one of those honeycomb designs.

[Farrar]

Last time I spoke with Stephen Wynne, he hinted that DMCH is ready to produce honeycomb bodies with a partner.

I also heard this rumour. What material(s) is the "honeycomb" made of? I was thinking it would be great to reproduce the body tubs in carbon fiber, but I'm sure that would be too expensive to break even on.

[81dmc]

I also heard this rumour. What material(s) is the "honeycomb" made of? I was thinking it would be great to reproduce the body tubs in carbon fiber, but I'm sure that would be too expensive to break even on.

Basically, it replaces the fiberglass mat with a bees nest design, but I have no idea about the materials involved.

I have to say, when I saw the body in person, it was very lightweight. I also noticed the A pillars and roof section were a bit more sturdy than the fiberglass originals.




Oh, almost forgot another big plus, no green epoxy.

[DMCVegas]

Ok then. So after a bit of research here, it turns out that the underbodies are supplied by a company called Epic EV, who actually used the process for their boats, and then was able to adapt it for the DMC-12.

http://www.torquenews.com/sites/default/files/image-1075/%5Btitle-raw%5D/screen_shot_2011-12-01_at_1.34.03_am.jpg

Their process isn't *too* far off from the the VARI process developed by Lotus, save for the fact they only use the outer, female side of the mold. The rest of it is covered in plastic so that they can verify the resin flows evenly across the mold. The interesting part is that this also gives them a 70% glass/30% resin ratio.

They use double bias glass sheets, and instead of traditional polyurethane beams it utilizes Nomex Honeycomb. Which everything combined ends up creating a hellaciously strong fiberglass which weighs around 200-250lbs. less than the stock underbody (depending upon which source you cite).


https://vimeo.com/85494337

[81dmc]

Ok then. So after a bit of research here, it turns out that the underbodies are supplied by a company called Epic EV, who actually used the process for their boats, and then was able to adapt it for the DMC-12.

http://www.torquenews.com/sites/default/files/image-1075/%5Btitle-raw%5D/screen_shot_2011-12-01_at_1.34.03_am.jpg

Their process isn't *too* far off from the the VARI process developed by Lotus, save for the fact they only use the outer, female side of the mold. The rest of it is covered in plastic so that they can verify the resin flows evenly across the mold. The interesting part is that this also gives them a 70% glass/30% resin ratio.

They use double bias glass sheets, and instead of traditional polyurethane beams it utilizes Nomex Honeycomb. Which everything combined ends up creating a hellaciously strong fiberglass which weighs around 200-250lbs. less than the stock underbody (depending upon which source you cite).


https://vimeo.com/85494337

I wonder if that body design would improve crash rigidity? Less flex than the original.

[Farrar]

everything combined ends up creating a hellaciously strong fiberglass

<pipedream> Strong enough to use two stainless steel subframes as in the original design? </pipedream> ;)

Thanks for posting the pic!

[DMCVegas]

I wonder if that body design would improve crash rigidity? Less flex than the original.

It's a good possibility. Although it does also make you wonder about energy absorption. Does it still slow you down properly in a crash? The crash test data from the two DMC-12s revealed that the passengers were actually quite safe, and that there was minimal intrusion into the passenger compartment since the footwells are so cavernous.



<pipedream> Strong enough to use two stainless steel subframes as in the original design? </pipedream> ;)

Thanks for posting the pic!

That was a certainly an ambitious design, wasn't it? No offence to Bill Collins who did a great job with what he had, but that was a noble experiment that I'm glad did not get conducted. ERM probably could have worked for the underbody instead of VARI, but not as a chassis substitute. Not even the Trabant dared to try that.

No problem about the pictures either. I knew I had seen the photo of the prototype underbody before, but couldn't find the picture again. The weird thing about this is how the publicity surrounding the DMC-12 application is so hush-hush, yet when you track down the partner they use, they've got all this information including a video describing how they do all of it, and then there are these other industry articles as well.

[mr_maxime]

The crashworthiness of a the car is way more complex than simply changing the rigidity and that the original test performed is year behind in terms of technology and knowledge. What passed then does not mean it would pass today. They wouldnt be allowed to sell a mass produced cars in which the doors pop open during a crash like the delorean video. Even as recently as 2011 the testing changed. The side impact test for example changed crash dummies from the SID-H3 to the ES-2re to get better data. The delorean would need a lot of re-engineering to pass a modern crash test.

[DMCVegas]

Most definitely. I can't argue with you on that. It's why the "replica car" law gives the exemption to allow for the vehicles to be only adherent to the model year in which they were built in order to avoid modern testing standards. Even back with those standards then though, I'm just wondering how much different the rigidity of the Nomex Honeycomb is compared to the Polyurethane, and if that makes a difference in the deformity of the crumple zones and energy absorption, and ultimately passenger safety.

Although again, the DMC-12 appears to have done pretty well for itself back in the day compared to other cars.

NHTSA Report for the DMC-12. (http://www.deloreanmuseum.org/uploads/1/8/0/7/18075613/crashtest_museum_sml.pdf)

Even in the crash test itself, the doors opening made the crash look far worse than it actually was, and the report notates that. Now I don't know for certain, but I do in fact wonder when and why the idiot light to lock the doors was introduced into the car? If the doors did not latch properly around the striker pins, then yes, they would have twisted off and separated from the body. What if DMC knew that, possibly from that crash test video, and then decided to introduce the "LOCK DOORS" warning light as a solution?

If the doors don't fully latch, they won't stay closed in a crash, right? But when the doors don't fully latch, they also can't lock either. So how about that light? Close the door, annoying light turns on. Driver naturally gets annoyed so they lock the door. BUT if the door isn't latched for safety, it also won't lock, so the light refuses to turn off. Annoyed owner has to open and close the door again until the latches fully engage, so that they can turn the annoying warning light off.

Given that carjackings aren't exactly that prevalent back in 1981, and up until 33 years later until I bought a '14 Focus, I've never had another car that warned me when the doors were unlocked. Perhaps with the DeLorean it was a psychological trick to ensure the occupants were safe without them realizing it?

[mr_maxime]

Lol I dont know why the light is there, but I think it'll have more impact on other aspects of the car than the crumple zone.

[Citizen]

We do need a butchered delorean registry

HERE (http://www.citizenkidd.com/DMC/pages/vinview_totals_spec.asp?vinstart=11) is a start.

If you know of others not on this list, please let me know.

Thanks,
Thomas

...

[Dangermouse]

The hot-tub is now for sale on FB, if you are interested

Just in time for those cold winter nights

[louielouie2000]

HERE (http://www.citizenkidd.com/DMC/pages/vinview_totals_spec.asp?vinstart=11) is a start.

If you know of others not on this list, please let me know...

I'm so proud to have put a car on that list. :dead:

BTW, 10115 met its untimely demise in 2003, not 2005.

[sdg3205]

4670 was red. Parted out.

[Ryan King]

I've talked to the girl who is trying to sell it. They are looking to fetch 7,000 bucks for it.

I told her to contact DMC-CA, maybe they would be interested in it for the parts alone. (Rims, Panels, Torsion Bars, Doors, etc.)


EDIT - I didn't watch the video before...they got all the parts FROM DMC-CA. Hah.

46885468864688746888

[Jim D]

Where is the car/hot tub located?

[Lwanmtr]

Why are they selling it? Though in the video, you could almost see the look on the guys face that he was more shocked than pleasantly surprised...lol

From a parts standpoint, what I can see...the only things usable are the doors, struts and torsion bars...everything else was cut, drilled or otherwise destroyed by the build...even the rims have those metal rings welded to them, making them useless

[Josh]

Why are they selling it? Though in the video, you could almost see the look on the guys face that he was more shocked than pleasantly surprised...lol

From a parts standpoint, what I can see...the only things usable are the doors, struts and torsion bars...everything else was cut, drilled or otherwise destroyed by the build...even the rims have those metal rings welded to them, making them useless

I think that is just hose wrapped around the rims.
I would like to think they did not drill into the fenders. I really hope...

[DMCVegas]

I think that is just hose wrapped around the rims.
I would like to think they did not drill into the fenders. I really hope...

Hard to tell, but my guess would be a yes on that. The build video definitely shows them drilling into the rear quarter panels to mount the flux dispersal coils. The rear quarters have so many holes in them, they may not even be worth repairing. At this point the best use for them *might* be to exchange them on a car that does have good body panels, but has been sentenced to become yet another BTTF conversion.

Good Doors in new condition only cost $1,250 from DMCH. Even if they were not butchered up for this build, no way in hell they're worth that much cash after being dragged around DMC-CA's back yard.
$100 for the Flux Capacitor since it's been sitting out in the dusty weather.
No word on the front quarter fenders, but I've no hope for them.
Fascia is warped, drilled, and ruined.
Rear fascia seems ok. New condition is $1K, which this still is not.
I'd do $150 for the lenses assuming they're all in good condition.
No word on the wheels if they're usable, though again I'd assume not.
The hot tub itself is probably only worth about $500 since those things are a dime a dozen on Craigslist.
Toss in the torsion bars and the Mr. Fusion, and I'd probably go about $4K for this thing. $3,500 if I have to take the tub and wood with me too.

[Timebender]

I didn't realize how crappy the build was, as they didn't show any of the time machine details. You think they could've put in a bit more effort than bad flux bands and slapping on a Mr. Fusion.

[Lwanmtr]

Yeah, when you see it in the sunlight it looks like they didnt put much effort into it at all....would be my guess that one of the reasons they're trying to get rid of it...lol

[Timebender]

http://www.torquenews.com/sites/default/files/image-1075/%5Btitle-raw%5D/screen_shot_2011-12-01_at_1.34.03_am.jpg



You know, seeing that makes me think that DeLorean should even offer a pickup truck.

[DMCVegas]

I didn't realize how crappy the build was, as they didn't show any of the time machine details. You think they could've put in a bit more effort than bad flux bands and slapping on a Mr. Fusion.

I have a feeling that if they were actually willing to put allot of effort into this project in the first place, they wouldn't have just tossed some DeLorean body panels around a cheap hot tub and called it a day.

Maybe they could have got some wood paneling and finished his garage to look like Doc Brown's garage/lab to store all his collectables. Even if a remodel was too expensive and they wanted to instead create a functional prop, there's lots of other items to have created as well. Cool stuff that could have been built for this guy, and that no one else has that would have set him apart. Maybe a giant amp like Marty McFly played at the beginning of the film, with a built-in sound system for parties. They're into furniture building, so what about a Café 80's bar that pops drinks up, with a plutonium refrigerator to hide a beer keg, and a Mr. Fusion unit to tip over to throw bar trash into.

Those are things that I know that I would have been excited about, and probably others too. But not this.

[Timebender]

Yep