lazabby
12-07-2020, 04:07 PM
I have an interesting tidbit about Deloreans that I don't think I've ever shared about Delorean. I maintain the Delorean chronology where we are trying to list all the Deloreans made with the transmission types and interior colors. There are plenty of gaps where we are missing information. Starting around VIN 6907 through 10127 every 5th Delorean appears to be an automatic with very few exceptions. There are only three or exception which may be in error. Not sure what the planning or thought at the factory was on this. As more missing pieces are filled in, a better picture will emerge.
Another factoid that is is more widely know has to do with the VIN numbering. When we first started this project we wanted to verify that actual VIN numbers existed. Remaining paperwork from the factory has been scant. As time went on we have definitely verified or at least feel comfortable that there were cars produced from VIN 500 to VIN 7199. After 7199 the next VIN produced was VIN 10001 (we have no proof of a 10000). But there is a problem. As the 1982 cars were made, there was a dock strike and cars were piling up at the port waiting to be shipped to the US. The early '82s made it but many of the later 82's wouldn't be able to get to the US in a timely manner. When the dock strike was over, the folks at the factory realized that by the time the cars got to the US, it was going to be time for the '83 year models. So what they did was remove the '82 VIN plate and put on '83 VIN plate. They simply added 5,000 to the VIN number. So for some 10XXX VINs, they were renumbered to 15XXX and there are skips or gaps in them. Same for the 11XXX and 16XXX. So it's very helpful to have VIN plate in the 10XXX, 11XXX, 15XXX and 16XXX ranges because it confirms which ones were 82's and which ones are 83s. We have never had a case where, for example, there was a 11222 and a 16222.
Another factoid that is is more widely know has to do with the VIN numbering. When we first started this project we wanted to verify that actual VIN numbers existed. Remaining paperwork from the factory has been scant. As time went on we have definitely verified or at least feel comfortable that there were cars produced from VIN 500 to VIN 7199. After 7199 the next VIN produced was VIN 10001 (we have no proof of a 10000). But there is a problem. As the 1982 cars were made, there was a dock strike and cars were piling up at the port waiting to be shipped to the US. The early '82s made it but many of the later 82's wouldn't be able to get to the US in a timely manner. When the dock strike was over, the folks at the factory realized that by the time the cars got to the US, it was going to be time for the '83 year models. So what they did was remove the '82 VIN plate and put on '83 VIN plate. They simply added 5,000 to the VIN number. So for some 10XXX VINs, they were renumbered to 15XXX and there are skips or gaps in them. Same for the 11XXX and 16XXX. So it's very helpful to have VIN plate in the 10XXX, 11XXX, 15XXX and 16XXX ranges because it confirms which ones were 82's and which ones are 83s. We have never had a case where, for example, there was a 11222 and a 16222.