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petriomelony
06-17-2025, 01:12 PM
Hi all,

New DMC owner checking in :) In the process of getting my car shipped to me. It doesn't have keys.

It's a September 81 car, VIN 3788 which from my research should be a 2-key car.

However, when I went to see the car, the door locks were the newer style - silver with a black circle.

The previous owner had the car stored since 84. Was it common back then for cars to be converted to the 1-key system? Would a dealer have done this, or could there be something silly going on like 2 different keys with new style locks?

DMCH says they have my key codes but it just seems odd that the door locks are not old style...

I'm going to get the previous owner to check under the steering column for the sticker.

Would it be safe to transport the car with doors unlocked but closed? The struts are dead, so I don't think there's any chance of the doors popping open, but I don't want them bouncing around or anything on an 8 hour journey.

Would appreciate any other thoughts!

Thanks,

Michael

bueller
06-17-2025, 02:47 PM
Not sure about how common it was to switch to the single key back in 1984...

As for the transport, it should be fine to transport with the doors closed but not locked. Frankly, I doubt many of the enclosed trailer people would bother to lock the car even if they had keys.. pretty sure mine wasn't locked when they pulled it out of the trailer to deliver to me.

David T
06-17-2025, 09:12 PM
The two key system was not very well supported even back in '84. Problems were taken care of by converting to the one key system. There should be another key, the one for the gas cap. If you also had the ski rack there was another key just for that. The original 2 key system had the tiny light in the head of the door key. The one key system did not have a light for a long time but now it is available (if you want it). The best option is a remote key fob to reduce the wear on the keys and the locks. Don't forget the lock on the cubby behind the driver's seat. When you do get keys lubricate the locks with powdered graphite.

NJP548
06-20-2025, 01:11 PM
Looks like your car passed through the Troy, Michigan QAC Center.

Click the following link then search for 3788. You will see the parts that were either replaced or installed on your car before it went to the dealership. Welcome to ownership!

https://www.deloreanpogs.com/parts/

-Nick

petriomelony
06-21-2025, 10:32 PM
Looks like your car passed through the Troy, Michigan QAC Center.

Click the following link then search for 3788. You will see the parts that were either replaced or installed on your car before it went to the dealership. Welcome to ownership!

https://www.deloreanpogs.com/parts/

-Nick

Wow that is so neat, thank you for the info!

NJP548
06-22-2025, 04:11 PM
Wow that is so neat, thank you for the info!

No problem!

-Nick