Repair shops in the midwest, specifically along I-80?

[DaraSue]

So I'm going to pick up my car in Indiana in a few weeks, and driving it back to SLC. The seller is an experienced restorer who's dealt with pretty much any potential trouble area you can think of so I'm not expecting any mechanical issues, but I still want to make sure I'm prepared for the worst and not scrambling to find a shop by the side of the freeway at 11:00 at night.

Anybody have shop recommendations in Iowa/Nebraska/Colorado/Wyoming? I know there's DMC Midwest up by Chicago but once I get out of AAA Premium towing range of there I'd prefer to keep heading west.

[louielouie2000]

There's Bauerle Automotive in Ohio; there's also Lawrence's DeLorean Repair in Kentucky. I'm not sure where you are picking your car up from, but between those two and DMC Midwest, you've got some options.

[David T]

There's Bauerle Automotive in Ohio; there's also Lawrence's DeLorean Repair in Kentucky. I'm not sure where you are picking your car up from, but between those two and DMC Midwest, you've got some options.

If you have any doubts you should just make arrangements to either have the car shipped or pick it up and trailer it home. If you get stuck it will make the shipping or trailer options look cheap by comparison. Not only will you have towing costs, it will be at the highest rate. You will have lodging and food, the cost of the actual repair and you will probably have to sit around waiting for parts to come. So it will cost a lot in time and money if anything happens. Then there is the logistics problems of getting it Titled, plated and insured so it is legal to drive. Better than having shops to call you should also have a list of local owners and clubs. They may be able to offer more assistance. Some owners have some spare parts which could be handy. They may also know how to get you going again.

[DaraSue]

There's Bauerle Automotive in Ohio; there's also Lawrence's DeLorean Repair in Kentucky. I'm not sure where you are picking your car up from, but between those two and DMC Midwest, you've got some options.

I'm getting it near Indianapolis and going straight west so that would be a little out of my way, but thanks. :smile:


If you have any doubts you should just make arrangements to either have the car shipped or pick it up and trailer it home. If you get stuck it will make the shipping or trailer options look cheap by comparison. Not only will you have towing costs, it will be at the highest rate. You will have lodging and food, the cost of the actual repair and you will probably have to sit around waiting for parts to come. So it will cost a lot in time and money if anything happens. Then there is the logistics problems of getting it Titled, plated and insured so it is legal to drive. Better than having shops to call you should also have a list of local owners and clubs. They may be able to offer more assistance. Some owners have some spare parts which could be handy. They may also know how to get you going again.

I'm not super worried b/c the car's probably in better shape than the one I drive now ('87 CRX with 274k on the original engine which I've broken down with either) but there's a lot more empty space between Indy and SLC than there is between SLC and San Diego and I've seen a whole lotta newer cars than this broken down by the side of the road. Plus getting it delivered just isn't as exciting as driving it myself. Then again, if I had it delivered maybe I could get it a couple weeks sooner. :D

I emailed one of the guys from Mid-State but haven't heard back yet. Other than that there don't seem to be many other clubs in the plains states, except one in Iowa that doesn't have much online presence that I can find. Are there any in NE/WY/CO? Maybe I want to take I-70 instead and go closer to Denver. I've got the 200-mile towing from AAA, so that's something, at least. And a lot of Southwest skymiles.

[DaraSue]

I'm not super worried b/c the car's probably in better shape than the one I drive now ('87 CRX with 274k on the original engine which I've broken down with either) s.

Whoops, I accidentally a word. I meant I've never broken down in my current car. :facepalm:

[David T]

Whoops, I accidentally a word. I meant I've never broken down in my current car. :facepalm:

If you have made up your mind to drive the car one thing you can do is to drive the car locally for a day or so just to make sure everything seems OK before you start out on a cross/country trip. Keep an eye on all of the fluid levels, the gauges, and check your tire pressures. AAA is good insurance but don't count on your cell phone, there are a lot of dead areas where you won't get signal. That goes for the radio too. Check the wiper blades, you may need them and if they are old and flattened out you won't be able to see. Make sure all of your lights work too. Carry some extra fuses and a flashlight. Keep track of your gas mileage. Don't try "pushing" it hard till you know it is OK and you are comfortable with it. Learn how to drive with it's large blind spots, a convex mirror on the left outside rear view mirror is helpful. Watch the temp gauge and if it goes over 220 pull over before you pop the head gaskets. Take a battery pack with you too. If you see the voltage meter at 12 volts when the motor is running you need to find a place to stop before the car stops. If the A/C doesn't work take a LOT of water along, you will need it. And maybe a rabbit's foot. Get the RPM/MPH chart and leave it in the binnacle in case the speedo stops working.

[DMCMW Dave]

It would be a bit out of the way (50 miles north of I-80) but probably worth the effort to stop at DMCMidwest for a quick health check.

This isn't a CRX.

[dvonk]

if you find yourself in need of assistance near Omaha, drop me a line. i have a (modest) garage and some tools.

[whocruiser]

An excellent idea would be, since you now have a VIN number for a car you've purchased (even if not yet picked up), to join the DeLorean Owners Directory, and then download and/or print out a copy of the most current edition of the directory (updated earlier this month.) The directory includes a listing of all those owners in the directory who are open & willing to offer assistance to others when traveling. For privacy & anti-spam reasons, you can only download the directory if you are already a member of it, so join up first and once your own membership request has been processed, you'll be able to access the download through a password. Here's where to get started: http://www.citizenkidd.com/dmc/pages/dod.asp

[DaraSue]

If you have made up your mind to drive the car one thing you can do is to drive the car locally for a day or so just to make sure everything seems OK before you start out on a cross/country trip. Keep an eye on all of the fluid levels, the gauges, and check your tire pressures. AAA is good insurance but don't count on your cell phone, there are a lot of dead areas where you won't get signal. That goes for the radio too. Check the wiper blades, you may need them and if they are old and flattened out you won't be able to see. Make sure all of your lights work too. Carry some extra fuses and a flashlight. Keep track of your gas mileage. Don't try "pushing" it hard till you know it is OK and you are comfortable with it. Learn how to drive with it's large blind spots, a convex mirror on the left outside rear view mirror is helpful. Watch the temp gauge and if it goes over 220 pull over before you pop the head gaskets. Take a battery pack with you too. If you see the voltage meter at 12 volts when the motor is running you need to find a place to stop before the car stops. If the A/C doesn't work take a LOT of water along, you will need it. And maybe a rabbit's foot. Get the RPM/MPH chart and leave it in the binnacle in case the speedo stops working.

Thanks for the advice! If I drive I won't even be picking it up until around 8pm so I'm not going to get too far the first night. AFAIK all systems are functioning normally but if there's anything that looks like it'll be a problem hopefully it'll present before I'm out of towing range of DMCMW. I'd been planning to stop by a Wal-Mart or auto parts store for some water, antifreeze, oil, emergency kit, etc. so I'll put a few extra things on my shopping list. Are the fuses available at any auto parts store? Maybe I could get them here and bring them with me.

I've got a bid request out with U-Ship so if it's going to be faster & within a few hundred of the same price to do it that way maybe I'll just have it trucked out but NGL, I really want to drive it myself :biggrin: I booked the last flight out of Chicago, Omaha and Denver on Thurs. and I'm picking it up Mon. so if I do get waylaid I've got options.


It would be a bit out of the way (50 miles north of I-80) but probably worth the effort to stop at DMCMidwest for a quick health check.

Would that be something I could do as a walk-in or would I need an appointment? I'll keep it in mind, thanks.


if you find yourself in need of assistance near Omaha, drop me a line. i have a (modest) garage and some tools.

Excellent! Can you PM me your number? That stretch of the plains states was what I was most worried about, since I didn't see any clubs listed there.


An excellent idea would be, since you now have a VIN number for a car you've purchased (even if not yet picked up), to join the DeLorean Owners Directory, and then download and/or print out a copy of the most current edition of the directory (updated earlier this month.) The directory includes a listing of all those owners in the directory who are open & willing to offer assistance to others when traveling. For privacy & anti-spam reasons, you can only download the directory if you are already a member of it, so join up first and once your own membership request has been processed, you'll be able to access the download through a password. Here's where to get started: http://www.citizenkidd.com/dmc/pages/dod.asp

Cool! I'll go sign up right now!

Thanks, everybody!

[refugeefromcalif]

I really want to drive it myself :biggrin:

I know how you feel in that regard. Good Luck on which ever way it works out best for you!
I bought my DeLorean from DMCF, and I flew there to pick it up. I wanted to do the 700+ mile drive home and get to know it under many different driving conditions. :)

George

[DaraSue]

Update: I'm talking to Suzy at DMC MW about possibly having them pick it up from the seller and do the inspection in advance so there'd be enough time to fix any glaring issues before I'm in the middle of Nebraska. This might end up being the best solution for me.

[DaraSue]

I know how you feel in that regard. Good Luck on which ever way it works out best for you!
I bought my DeLorean from DMCF, and I flew there to pick it up. I wanted to do the 700+ mile drive home and get to know it under many different driving conditions. :)

George

How did it go? :)

[Drive Stainless]

Update: I'm talking to Suzy at DMC MW about possibly having them pick it up from the seller and do the inspection in advance so there'd be enough time to fix any glaring issues before I'm in the middle of Nebraska. This might end up being the best solution for me.

:thumbup2:

[refugeefromcalif]

How did it go? :)

I had a couple minor issues. The speedometer stopped working, (The angle drive Dust cover stripped out), I couldn't use the A/C above fan level 3 or the circuit breaker would shut off the blower motor.
(To this day I still can't, and I recently installed a new blower fan).
As far as the cars Running/Driving performance, It was a Great trip. :wiggle:
DMCF was a Great help on the minor issues I had.

George

[Citizen]

Cool! I'll go sign up right now!Thanks, everybody!

You are now successfully signed up and can download the directory (a .pdf) any time. Best of luck on your trip.

Thomas

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[iflights]

One thing not mentioned, but critically important will be to ensure the car has a fire extinguisher before you start your road trip.

Having it checked out by DMC MW is a terrific move.

[dvonk]

Excellent! Can you PM me your number? That stretch of the plains states was what I was most worried about, since I didn't see any clubs listed there.

PM sent. also sent contact info i found about the Iowa DeLorean Owners Club... not sure if theyre still in existence, but could be worth a shot.

[DaraSue]

I had a couple minor issues. The speedometer stopped working, (The angle drive Dust cover stripped out), I couldn't use the A/C above fan level 3 or the circuit breaker would shut off the blower motor.
(To this day I still can't, and I recently installed a new blower fan).
As far as the cars Running/Driving performance, It was a Great trip. :wiggle:
DMCF was a Great help on the minor issues I had.


Heh... AFAIK my A/C is in good running order but fortunately I've got two decades of experience driving a car with no A/C at all and I haven't melted yet. (At least the D has a louvre on the back window... my CRX is like a rolling greenhouse although tbf the windows go down further...) ;)


You are now successfully signed up and can download the directory (a .pdf) any time. Best of luck on your trip.


Thanks for your speedy response! I'm checking it out now. It looks like there are a couple in Fort Collins, which isn't too far off my route so maybe they can recommend someplace.


One thing not mentioned, but critically important will be to ensure the car has a fire extinguisher before you start your road trip.

Having it checked out by DMC MW is a terrific move.

Yeah, I'll add that to my list. I don't want to end up like that poor guy whose car caught on fire! :nervous:


PM sent. also sent contact info i found about the Iowa DeLorean Owners Club... not sure if theyre still in existence, but could be worth a shot.

Thanks! I'll see if he's still around. There were a couple other Iowans in the directory too so maybe they have some recommendations.

[David T]

Heh... AFAIK my A/C is in good running order but fortunately I've got two decades of experience driving a car with no A/C at all and I haven't melted yet. (At least the D has a louvre on the back window... my CRX is like a rolling greenhouse although tbf the windows go down further...) ;)



Thanks for your speedy response! I'm checking it out now. It looks like there are a couple in Fort Collins, which isn't too far off my route so maybe they can recommend someplace.



Yeah, I'll add that to my list. I don't want to end up like that poor guy whose car caught on fire! :nervous:



Thanks! I'll see if he's still around. There were a couple other Iowans in the directory too so maybe they have some recommendations.

The Delorean is like a toaster oven on wheels without a good working A/C. The rear window doesn't open and the toll windows don't let enough air in to make any difference. If you think the CRX was a hotbox try driving a Delorean in the hot sun over 80 degrees. A fire extinguisher is a good idea, just keep it in a place where you can get to it quickly. Don't trust your fuel gauge until you have some confidence that it is accurate. Use the trip odometer as long as the speedo is working. Til you get accurate MPG #'s use 20 MPG as a rough estimate. For the first 100 miles stop often and check the car. Fluid levels, tire pressures, temps, lug nuts, lights, etc. Be aware, that list of owners may be out of date.

[Citizen]

[SNIP]

Be aware, that list of owners may be out of date.

It is true the list of owners in the directory may become out of date at some point, and it is good advice not to completely 100% rely on the information within.

But just so it's known, along about April 2015, I verified every entry and email in the directory at that time (with some exceptions for known people and VINs), and those that had the email kick back as invalid, or those who did not respond to my query got moved into inactive status and are no longer printed. From that point forward, every new entry is also verified.

It's not perfect, but it is about as good as we can get using the honor system. And if it helps one DeLorean owner find help during an out-of-town breakdown, well then its purpose is not in vain.

Thomas

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