30 year old shipping damage

[dmcjohn]

Hi lads,

I've seen this on a good few DeLoreans before - it's also a good way of telling if your fascias have ever been repainted in the past!

When the cars were shipped from Ireland to the USA, they stuck foam pads onto the bumpers...

http://www.delorean.ie/shipping_damage/first_shipment_1.jpg

http://www.delorean.ie/shipping_damage/first_shipment_2.jpg

It seems they used sellotape to hold these foam pieces in place, which subsequently lifted the clearcoat off the fascias, and you can see the shape of the sellotape in the same places as the foam pads were! Here are some pics from my car - I took these today as I'm going to have to get my fascias repainted soon and this bit of history will then be covered up.

http://www.delorean.ie/shipping_damage/IMG_0212.jpg

http://www.delorean.ie/shipping_damage/IMG_0213.jpg

http://www.delorean.ie/shipping_damage/IMG_0214.jpg

http://www.delorean.ie/shipping_damage/IMG_0215.jpg

http://www.delorean.ie/shipping_damage/IMG_0216.jpg

http://www.delorean.ie/shipping_damage/IMG_0217.jpg

http://www.delorean.ie/shipping_damage/IMG_0218.jpg

http://www.delorean.ie/shipping_damage/IMG_0219.jpg

Anyone else notice this damage on their car? I often wondered did they ever get complaints in the dealerships about the paint being damaged and feed it back to the guys at the docks? My car is VIN 3810, built in Sept 81, so they clearly hadn't noticed at that stage!

Regards,
John

[dn010]

I remember similar damage on mine Oct'81 5003 - never really thought about what caused it. My fascias have long been repainted, but there still might be trace evidence on my rear fascia...

[Cory W]

I have a spot near the center of my rear bumper that I originally thought may have had a large bumper sticker affixed. A perfect rectangle, just a little off from the rest of the finish. A bit of research brought this same topic up on the old site, and I knew that the bumper at least has its "original factory" finish.

[sean]

2912 had them but I have not checked on 16682 yet.

[ArnieBrandon]

My #6292 that I purchased new in 1982 has the above described marks on all four corners. Two (2) spots in each of the four (4) corners. These are deemed "a badge of authenticity and originality".
Arnie

[SoCalDMC12]

10718 has them on the front fascia. I got a big kick out of the story when Don at DMC-CA told me what the marks were.

[SamHill]

Do they really need to be repainted? They look fine from the pics.

[Ryan King]

A DeLorean owner here in town has them on his fascias too.

[dn010]

Do they really need to be repainted? They look fine from the pics.

I opted for a different color; otherwise I would have saved myself the time - repainting these is a PITA IMHO.

[Mark D]

My car has these marks also, although they are only visible at certain angles, and a fresh coat of was will make them difficult to see at all.

...I think it's a cool part of the car's history and I'll be sad when I have to paint the fascias someday and the tape marks are no longer there.

[WelmoedJ]

I also noticed this "damage" on the rear facia of #02572, after I bought it in 2006.
Ed at DMC Europe told me that was proof of being the original paint.

Welmoed.

[David T]

That happens if the foam is not removed for a long time. Components in the glue affect the paint. Also a lot more common if the car got hot, like sitting out in a big parking lot in the sun.
David Teitelbaum

[dmcjohn]

That happens if the foam is not removed for a long time. Components in the glue affect the paint. Also a lot more common if the car got hot, like sitting out in a big parking lot in the sun.
David Teitelbaum

The foam was not glued on - sellotape was used and that is what caused the damage - you can see the shape of the sellotape in the marks!

[MartyP]

I'll snap a picture of the one I have ! center of the front fascia, but on top of the ''grill''.

[David T]

The tape had glue on it to hold the foam to the car. Another thing also happens. If something is pressing against the foam and moves you get rub marks on the paint.
David Teitelbaum