Early wheels vs. later wheels

[Boxbot]

The PO powdercoated the wheels on my May '81 DMC in the period correct early darker gray with matching centers and brand new tires. The wheels are immaculate. The front and rear fascias are not, however, and I am going to have them resprayed this winter.

The issue is this ... I don't like the way they look. I would much rather have the lighter color wheels with black caps. That probably means going with lighter colored fascias as well. I'm planning some other modest changes with a Stage I, stovepipe delete, Eibach springs, etc., so I won't be entering a concours or anything. It should be easy to find someone who prefers this look and will swap my wheels for the much more common style if I decide to go that way.

The question is this: Should I keep the car period correct with the proper colors on the wheels and fascias or say "the hell with it. It's my car," and change it to what I prefer?

https://i.imgur.com/ZukM4ZS.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/yF47xfR.jpg

[Ron]

FWIW, The color looks darker (and more glossy than stock) to me, from the pics.

Paint it all the way YOU like it!

[DMC-81]

I really like your wheels. Of course, I'm a bit biased as I have an early car as well.

Since you have one of 1381 cars with dark gray wheels (VIN 1883 - 502) minus the cars that didn't survive, I would keep the car as is. Even though you aren't concerned about Concours, from a future value perspective, they probably will help down the road in that department. Look at the current desirability of the gas flap hood for example.

But, the bottom line is that it is your car and your happiness with it is most important.

Some trivia: I recently learned that originally the darker gray was achieved by clearcoating the bare metal wheel.

[jackb]

I personally prefer the look of the darker rims (and darker fascias).
But, it's your car. You should make it look however you want. Yours is the only opinion that matters.

[Hill Valley PD]

My car, VIN 2282, was built in July of 81 and has the lighter wheels, gas flap hood, windshield antenna, gas flap hood, black interior. It has the Eibach on it as well. My bumpers were redone by PO before I got the car and are the darker, glossy gray. I think the earlier cars maybe (VIN 2500 and down) had a glossy finish as opposed to the matte finish used later. I also think the color shade changed a bit too, though someone else can elaborate further on that. Having seen tons of these up close at DCS and DMC MW, the early wheels have grown on me as have the gray interiors. BUT you will be the one living with your dream, so it's up to you what you prefer. Your wheels are cool looking now. The Eibach suspension would only improve the car's looks. If you concerned about period correct, the only way to really tell what wheels "should" be on you car is to know the VIN and to know when the change to the lighter wheels occurred, which started with VIN 1884 I believe. Thus, only a true diehard DeLorean fan would know. I say go with what you like better. If you are still torn, decide after you do the suspension.

[BladeBronson]

I have an early '82 and I like everything about it (ASI radio, no interior clock, single piece bolster, integrated pull handles), except I really prefer the look of a grooved non-flap hood. However, I can't bring myself to do it because I really value the authenticity of my car. I also won't ever enter a Concours or particularly care what others think of my car. While I wouldn't choose to have a very early car with the gas flap and early wheels, if I came to own one, I'd stick with it. I think the history of the changes is super interesting with the DeLorean and not blurring the lines (well, any more than they did) is attractive to me.

Obviously though, this is your car and you can do anything you want!

[powerline84]

I have an earlier car and it came with the thin cast rims that appeared to be faded dark grey. Talking to mike at midwest he said my car could have gone either way at my vin range (2706) my bumpers were dark to so I went ahead and had them powder coated early style and I plan on respraying in the glossy dark gray. I love the early black interior dark grey look though so I am biased. Your rims are gorgeous so I would keep them .

But then again if it was my car and I didn't like them then I would change it. Who cares if it's not correct . Its your car , and it's probably your dream car like the rest of us. So if you dont like it change it and dont look back.

[David T]

It's your car so you can do whatever you want. None of this will affect the value, the key is condition not "correctness". As you understand, the only impact this can have is during a concours judging, it may cost you points (assuming you ever enter). Realize very few cars are ever entered into a concours judging where any of this matters anyway. Besides, there are probably many other things that will cost you points like tires and other modifications. Any potential buyers would never notice unless you make it too glossy or not glossy enough (maybe). And it is reversible, you could repaint it again if you really wanted to get judged. Most people do not realize what it can take to get a car ready for that kind of judging and what can be spent and the lengths people go to for a couple of points. It gets harder every time too as the cars get older and the competition gets fiercer. I spent a year to get my car ready for it's second concours.

[Boxbot]

My bumpers were redone by PO before I got the car and are the darker, glossy gray. I think the earlier cars maybe (VIN 2500 and down) had a glossy finish as opposed to the matte finish used later. I also think the color shade changed a bit too, though someone else can elaborate further on that.

I would be really interested in seeing the difference in color/finish of the earlier and later fascias. If memory serves, there isn't even anything on fascia colors in the bible (https://store.delorean.com/p-10550-the-illustrated-buyers-guide-to-delorean-automobiles.aspx). Sadly, the original paint on mine bubbled. Someone did a cheap respray over the top of the old paint with no surface prep whatsoever. So now the top layer is flaking, leaving my bumpers with a rugged, molting look.


Also, does anyone know if the black center caps fit in the early rims? That might look cool.

[DMC-81]

I would be really interested in seeing the difference in color/finish of the earlier and later fascias. If memory serves, there isn't even anything on fascia colors in the bible (https://store.delorean.com/p-10550-the-illustrated-buyers-guide-to-delorean-automobiles.aspx). Sadly, the original paint on mine bubbled. Someone did a cheap respray over the top of the old paint with no surface prep whatsoever. So now the top layer is flaking, leaving my bumpers with a rugged, molting look.


Also, does anyone know if the black center caps fit in the early rims? That might look cool.

If it helps with the comparison, here is a picture of my car in low versus bright light:

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=47390&d=1479172701

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=57320&d=1531681138

Here is the repainted rear fascia before installing on the the car:
http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=38549&d=1450096770

My vin is less than 1883 and I had the fascias repainted with the correct early gray, (paint code, sheen, and oil rather than water based). The code came from James at DMCH. There is a service bulletin on paint codes for fascias.

I haven't had my wheels redone yet as they still look ok, but the caps are black, so you can see what that looks like. I am positive that the new black caps fit.

I'll eventually have mine color matched to the wheels like yours are.

[Boxbot]

If it helps with the comparison, here is a picture of my car in low versus bright light:

Wow. Great looking car. I just got mine a month ago and my state DMV still hasn't issued a title, so I haven't had the opportunity to really see it in the sunlight. I think yours looks fantastic. Maybe I'll learn to love it after the fascias get painted.

What does something like getting the bumpers painted correctly set you back, by the way? Did you get the matte black portions painted too? They look pristine.

[DMC-81]

Wow. Great looking car. I just got mine a month ago and my state DMV still hasn't issued a title, so I haven't had the opportunity to really see it in the sunlight. I think yours looks fantastic. Maybe I'll learn to love it after the fascias get painted.

What does something like getting the bumpers painted correctly set you back, by the way? Did you get the matte black portions painted too? They look pristine.

Thanks very much. :)

Yes, besides the fascias, I had the the front lower air dam and louvers professionally painted in SEM Trim Black with a satin clearcoat. They turned out well. I think the bill was around $1,500 total.

The paint codes include formulas for oil and water based versions. James said that not all jurisdictions can still do oil (either from environmental reasons or experience as most paints are water based). Painting with oil was allowed around here and I found a well recommended shop that does it and high end work.

There are more pictures in the "Exterior Restoration" album on my profile that shows everything else I did to the car in that category if you are interested.

[Jonathan]

Double light for me, wheels and both fascias.

Mine is a black interior car with a grooved/no flap hood and fender antenna. The wheels were intended on being the lighter gray, however the fascias were repainted prior to me getting the car in 2007. There are a couple spots where the paint is cracking and you can see underneath the true, darker gray paint that was there. When I do get around to repainting the fascias, I intend on using the light gray like it already is. I realize it "should be" the darker gray, but I've come to like it like this, and hey, it's my car.

The light you see the car in plays a big role on how the paint looks, and matches with the stainless. Or doesn't match. Sometimes, in some light, it looks like it's the exact same colour as the stainless and other times, it looks much, much lighter. Sometimes much darker too. It's a tricky thing to try and match as I don't think it will look exactly right in all lighting conditions. That might be another reason they went with the darker fascia paint that they did.

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[Nicholas R]

Do what makes you happy. My car started with dark grey, I eventually powder coated them light grey, and then later swapped them for chrome. No regrets, and I couldn't care less what the car is "supposed" to have.

[Mike F]

Can't offer much perspective beyond what's already been said, but I'll throw my take on it into the mix. Plus, it's been way too long since I've posted on here! :) I'd personally lean toward keeping the "correct" wheels on it if it were my car. For me, the differences you find through the range of VINs on these cars is pretty interesting, and something that I've come to really appreciate over the years. I went through a similar dilemma with 2861 on the antenna. In all my years of dreaming about future DeLorean ownership, one thing I did NOT want was a fender-mounted antenna. Rear-mounted or windshield was fine, but not the fender. Just something about it I didn't like. Fast-forward to the day I found 2861 and what did she have...a fender-mounted antenna. Early on I had no qualms about ditching it. I placed a replacement fender on my list of things to buy at some point, and also got a quote from DMCH to weld up my original. At some point my mind just flipped. I started to see the antenna as sort of a "birthmark" of the car. Along with the other things that were incrementally changed over the run of production, it represents 2861's place in time of the short but storied saga of these cars being built. Now I wouldn't dream of welding up that hole or swapping that fender.

ALL that being said...at the end of the day it is your car and you should do whatever makes you happy with it! These cars are all about passion of ownership; whatever floats your boat should be all that matters.