View Full Version : Hi from NY
Collie from Belfast
12-11-2020, 09:01 AM
I don't know if I'm in the correct forum but I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm originally from Belfast, Ireland and I worked at the DMC plant in Dunmurry from December 1980 until May 1982. I was part of the group that went to Irvine, California in 1981 and it was this trip that inspired me to emigrate to the USA in 1987. I'd be happy to discuss my experience with anyone who is interested.
Rich_NYS
12-11-2020, 11:29 AM
Hello, and welcome!
I think everyone here is interested to hear anything you have to share. There are other former employees in various Facebook groups as well. Barrie Wills is a frequent contributor.
What part of NY? I live ~60 miles North of Albany.
Timeless
12-11-2020, 12:02 PM
Welcome! Rich is correct - I'm sure everyone here is interested in you experiences at Dunmurry. I myself have quite the collection of photos from the plant including the gold cars.
I don't know if I'm in the correct forum but I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm originally from Belfast, Ireland and I worked at the DMC plant in Dunmurry from December 1980 until May 1982. I was part of the group that went to Irvine, California in 1981 and it was this trip that inspired me to emigrate to the USA in 1987. I'd be happy to discuss my experience with anyone who is interested.
Hello and welcome! I look forward to reading about your experiences. Do you happen to have any factory photos you can share with us?
mark w
12-11-2020, 11:50 PM
Welcome Collie, into this community.
We appreciate your reaching out. We have such a unique and rare opportunity in this community of ours, as owners, enthusiasts and "those that were there" to share our stories and experiences. Its awesome!
Hi Collie and welcome to the forum.
It's great to have you here, everyone will be happy and interested to read your story.
If you have some old photos to share with us, this will be awesome!
orangecrrrush
12-12-2020, 09:50 AM
Collie,
Where in NY do you live now?
Did you ever meet John D while working at the plant?
I might have missed it, but what did you do at the plant?
Thanks for sharing,
Adam
lazabby
12-14-2020, 05:12 PM
Hi Collie. Thanks for posting. Please share stories and photos with us.
Collie from Belfast
12-15-2020, 08:40 AM
Collie,
Where in NY do you live now?
Did you ever meet John D while working at the plant?
Adam
I live in Rockland County, NY. While employed at DMC I worked on the Trim Line. My first assignment was installing the center consul then they promoted me to Repair Man. I met Mr De Lorean more than once. For a CEO he was a very approachable man and was always interested in our input. This was in stark contrast to the British senior staff who were mainly aloof, taciturn and unfriendly. At aged eighteen I was one of the youngest employees. I was very happy working there and it was a terrible disappointment when the plant closed down. I have very few photographs or memorabilia. I wish I had taken some for posterity.
Collie from Belfast
12-15-2020, 08:52 AM
Welcome! Rich is correct - I'm sure everyone here is interested in you experiences at Dunmurry. I myself have quite the collection of photos from the plant including the gold cars.
I worked on a gold car once. It was a Saturday morning and they quietly brought me to an isolated part of the plant that I never knew existed. I was greeted by Tim O'Rourke, one of the senior American executives, and a number of British engineers from Lotus. They had an issue with the removal of the center consul, which I was able to resolve for them. In retrospect I believe it was as a result of this clandestine meeting that I was chosen to go to Irvine, California for two weeks in July 1981. The most memorable trip of my life and my inspiration to emigrate to the US in 1987. Incidentally, when I asked who the gold car was for one of the senior Belfast bosses winked at me and said it was for Rod Stewart. He also told me not to mention it to anyone and in true Belfast fashion I kept my mouth shut and never spoke of it until years later! I don't think Rod Stewart ever bought it.
Collie from Belfast
12-15-2020, 09:51 AM
Hello, and welcome!
I think everyone here is interested to hear anything you have to share. There are other former employees in various Facebook groups as well. Barrie Wills is a frequent contributor.
What part of NY? I live ~60 miles North of Albany.
I'm in Rockland County. I don't recall Barrie Wills but I'm sure we know people in common.
Rich_NYS
12-15-2020, 10:29 AM
I'm in Rockland County. I don't recall Barrie Wills but I'm sure we know people in common.Thanks for sharing your story, there are many opportunities for you to meet with owners. If you're willing, I'm sure there will be several gatherings and conventions you'll be welcome to attend, I'll look forward to meeting sometime. I'm a few hours drive north of Rockland county.
Here's Barrie's website: [URL]https://www.barriewills.com//[URL]
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Collie from Belfast
12-15-2020, 10:54 AM
Thanks for sharing your story, there are many opportunities for you to meet with owners. If you're willing, I'm sure there will be several gatherings and conventions you'll be welcome to attend, I'll look forward to meeting sometime. I'm a few hours drive north of Rockland county.
Here's Barrie's website: [URL]https://www.barriewills.com//[URL]
Sent from my LGL164VL using Tapatalk
I joined the De Lorean Mid Atlantic Club. As soon as things settle down and get back to normal I'd be delighted to attend some local gatherings and meet with people. I should have did this years ago.
Rich_NYS
12-15-2020, 11:37 AM
I joined the De Lorean Mid Atlantic Club. As soon as things settle down and get back to normal I'd be delighted to attend some local gatherings and meet with people. I should have did this years ago.Great! I'm in a local club in the Capial region, we're planning to make the trip to a DMA event this year, as well as meet with the Long Island club. I'll look for you there!
A few other names from your time at the factory, with a presence in the community: Nick Sutton and Neal Barclay.
Also, QAC guys Jeff Synor and Chris Duvall.
At the 2016 convention in Springfield, JZD's secretary: Colleen Booth was a VIP. She was completely awesome, we loved hearing her talk about her time with DMC.
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Collie from Belfast
12-15-2020, 12:50 PM
Great! I'm in a local club in the Capial region, we're planning to make the trip to a DMA event this year, as well as meet with the Long Island club. I'll look for you there!
A few other names from your time at the factory, with a presence in the community: Nick Sutton and Neal Barclay.
Also, QAC guys Jeff Synor and Chris Duvall.
At the 2016 convention in Springfield, JZD's secretary: Colleen Booth was a VIP. She was completely awesome, we loved hearing her talk about her time with DMC.
Sent from my LGL164VL using Tapatalk
Nick Sutton is a name that rings a bell. Is he an English guy, one of the Lotus team?
orangecrrrush
12-15-2020, 02:18 PM
I live in Rockland County, NY. While employed at DMC I worked on the Trim Line. My first assignment was installing the center consul then they promoted me to Repair Man. I met Mr De Lorean more than once. For a CEO he was a very approachable man and was always interested in our input. This was in stark contrast to the British senior staff who were mainly aloof, taciturn and unfriendly. At aged eighteen I was one of the youngest employees. I was very happy working there and it was a terrible disappointment when the plant closed down. I have very few photographs or memorabilia. I wish I had taken some for posterity.
Collie,
Thanks for the info. I hope to meet you someday soon when things go back to normal at one of the club meets. I used to work in Rockland County, Spring Valley to be specific. I live in PA now. Have a happy and safe holiday,
Adam
Nick Sutton is a name that rings a bell. Is he an English guy, one of the Lotus team?
Hello Collie! If you're on Facebook come have a look at a group we've set up, we have a few former workers on board, we'd love to hear from you too!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deloreanhistorians/
Collie from Belfast
01-30-2021, 08:45 PM
Collie,
Thanks for the info. I hope to meet you someday soon when things go back to normal at one of the club meets. I used to work in Rockland County, Spring Valley to be specific. I live in PA now. Have a happy and safe holiday,
Adam
Just seeing this now Adam. I'm not too far from Spring Valley. Stay safe and healthy. When this Covid shite passes I look forward to meeting you all. I really loved working at De Lorean.
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