Delorean Chassis

[Alves]

Hello everyone, this is my first post so if this goes in a different place feel free to move it. I was just wondering if it is possible to purchase a chassis for the Delorean out of carbon fiber or fiber glass. I have heard both mentioned I'm just not sure where to purchase one if possible. Thank You!!

[Bitsyncmaster]

Right now your only option for chassis is to repair or find a used one.

Fiberglass and carbon fiber are done with a layup (on a mold) and I have not heard of anyone that has done one.

[DMC3165]

In the past I had toyed with the idea of having a friend of mine fabricate one out of high carbon steel. He is a certified master welder and fabricator. However being I don't need one right now, he was not really receptive to the idea whereas it would be very time consuming.

There were stainless steel replacement frames available for a while. But I believe they have been discontinued for the moment. Someone on here can correct me if I'm wrong. But to the best of my knowledge this was the only replacement frame available instead of restoring an original one.

[ramblinmike]

In the past I had toyed with the idea of having a friend of mine fabricate one out of high carbon steel. He is a certified master welder and fabricator. However being I don't need one right now, he was not really receptive to the idea whereas it would be very time consuming.

There were stainless steel replacement frames available for a while. But I believe they have been discontinued for the moment. Someone on here can correct me if I'm wrong. But to the best of my knowledge this was the only replacement frame available instead of restoring an original one.

I remember reading somewhere on the old .com forum that the Pearce frames had been discontinued.

[Alves]

Thanks guys, with my options limited is it at all possible to buy brand new aftermarket that will fit. Buying used just doesn't sit with me right.

[David T]

There is nothing wrong with buying a used frame. You do have to figure on some repair, paint, and possibly having to modify it from manual to automatic or vice-versa. Often it is very possible to repair the frame you have unless it is VERY bad or was damaged severely in an accident.
David Teitelbaum

[Alves]

There is nothing wrong with buying a used frame. You do have to figure on some repair, paint, and possibly having to modify it from manual to automatic or vice-versa. Often it is very possible to repair the frame you have unless it is VERY bad or was damaged severely in an accident.
David Teitelbaum

Alright thanks

[Mark D]

Sounds like some people here are talking frames and other people are talking about the body tubs.

Alves,

The frame of the DeLorean is steel coated with epoxy and all the chassis components like the suspension, engine, fuel tank etc mount to it.

The body of the Delorean is fiberglass and the stainless panels bolt to it, including the doors, fenders etc. as well as all the interior components, and front & rear fascia.

See this exploded view poster for reference:

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=7769&d=1326652112

Frames are currently not being manufactured new so if for some reason you were to buy a car with a rusty frame you'd need to find a good used one. You'll thank yourself if you just buy a car with a good frame in the first place.

The body tubs are currently available in the standard fiberglass, and DMCH is now making reproductions out of a lighter weight composite material. They are NOT carbon fiber.

There are lots of different threads on this forum already discussing both frames and bodies. Please use the search function for more info.

[dmcjohn]

New stainless steel frames are being built in Ireland. They are really high quality, laser cut with perfect welds - same company supplied me with the (newly built) front half of my 4 seater chassis and I am really impressed with it.

There were 2 prototypes on display at Eurofest, see pics:

http://220.245.130.52/images/events_functions/eurofest_belfast_2011/products_fair_27-05-11/products_fair_27-05-11_06.jpg


http://220.245.130.52/images/events_functions/eurofest_belfast_2011/products_fair_27-05-11/products_fair_27-05-11_05.jpg

[Domi]

Wonderful!

[stevedmc]

New stainless steel frames are being built in Ireland. They are really high quality, laser cut with perfect welds - same company supplied me with the (newly built) front half of my 4 seater chassis and I am really impressed with it.

Awesome. Hopefully this means DMCH won't have a monopoly on stainless frames.

Rumor has it, that DMCH bought the designs and remaining inventory from Pearce Designs. If this is in fact true, DMCH will have frames available, but I think the rumor also said that they will only be available to customers who have DMCH (or a franchise perhaps?) do the swap.

[David T]

Don't get too excited till you find out what it will cost to get a frame shipped to the US.
David Teitelbaum

[stevedmc]

Don't get too excited till you find out what it will cost to get a frame shipped to the US.
David Teitelbaum

Yeah, shipping would suck. But this just proves that there isn't anything magical to building a frame. I'm sure if there was a demand (and there might be someday) that Josh at DPI could have frames manufactured. He has contacts with a company that has been doing some really nice stainless work for him.

[DMCMW Dave]

Rumor has it, that DMCH bought the designs and remaining inventory from Pearce Designs. .

I have no idea where that rumor about the designs came from but it's absolutely not true. Pearce still has all the plans etc and has not sold them to anyone. Pearce rebutted this rumor on the DML about a month ago. I'm sure you can find the post there.

The only thing remotely true is that DMCH happened to buy the last couple of the frames that Pearce made before stopping production. They are used up (i.e. on cars) now.

[stevedmc]

I have no idea where that rumor about the designs came from but it's absolutely not true. Pearce still has all the plans etc and has not sold them to anyone. Pearce rebutted this rumor on the DML about a month ago. I'm sure you can find the post there.

The only thing remotely true is that DMCH happened to buy the last couple of the frames that Pearce made before stopping production. They are used up (i.e. on cars) now.

Dang, that sucks that no one acquired the plans. Hopefully someone will.

Sorry for the misinformation. I guess I read the rumor part and didn't follow the rest of the emails.

[bkntym]

I would think that if your frame is rusty , you could just take it to
the dealer and have it replaced under the lifetime warranty. no?:sad30:

[Henrik]

DMCH has - or at least used to have a bunch of them. This pic is from Open House 2007. As you can see, the front of the frames have been removed because I believe they are/were in high demand.7856

[dn010]

I never saw this picture before. I think it was 05 when I purchased a front portion of frame (cant even remember who sold it to me but it wasn't a vendor) - from the crumple zone to a few inches down the "Y" section. Wonder if it came from one of these......

[David T]

The crumple zone (front end of the frame) gets damaged in an accident but they also commonly rot so a lot of the frames had the front ends cut off. It is also easier and cheaper to only ship the part of the frame you need rather than the whole thing. There is nothing magical about making frames after you make the jig and do the first one. There is also nothing magical about repairing frames. It comes down to economics. What is the cost of acquiring the frame, shipping the frame, and reframing vs repair. Many times the frame can be repaired without having to remove the whole body, just suspension parts. The whole frame of a Delorean is just a bunch of pieces of 16 gauge sheet metal bent up and welded together. A good welder can fabricate any section necessary and cut and fit a new piece in. Take a look at R:02:02, :03, :03:02, and :03 at the end of the Workshop Manual.
David Teitelbaum

[DeCobra]

If you need a frame, I have a beautiful frame in brilliant condition for sale. I purchased a Pearce SS frame a long time ago, so don't have a need for my old one. I only swapped it because I wanted the SS frame, not because I needed it.

[eagle-co94]

Right now I am planning to ship a 40' container from Antwerp to Miami in March. There will be plenty of room for stainless frames in it alongside 3 of my cars. Does anybody have a link and price for one of these stainless frames?

DeCobra, how much are you asking for your frame? There is someone in the for sale section in need of one right now.

[DeLoreanman]

My car is in need of a new frame and I looked into the new stainless frames from DMCH. They run about $10k for just the frame. I'm still debating on doing the swap or just selling the car.

[dn010]

I also need a frame. My front section was rotten so I replaced from the crumple zone to the middle of the "Y". So I have a perfect front end but now my rear section is junk. So glad I got the car out of NY... not glad I didn't get it out in time.....

[Kenny_Z]

My car is in need of a new frame and I looked into the new stainless frames from DMCH. They run about $10k for just the frame. I'm still debating on doing the swap or just selling the car.

Have you thought about seeing if a hotrod shop close to you can fix it? There's a shop here in Pensacola that build frames from scratch or repair anything you bring them. The owner is older than time but I've seen his work on a 46 Ford that was pulled from a swamp. That frame repair was nothing short of amazing. You couldn't even see the weld seams.

[dn010]

Have you thought about seeing if a hotrod shop close to you can fix it? There's a shop here in Pensacola that build frames from scratch or repair anything you bring them. The owner is older than time but I've seen his work on a 46 Ford that was pulled from a swamp. That frame repair was nothing short of amazing. You couldn't even see the weld seams.

I haven't thought about that, I honestly thought it would probably cost more to fix it up rather than buy a good used one and sell the front end off of mine since it is good. Pensacola isn't a bad drive considering I drive to NY at least once a year. Do you know the name? Thanks

[dmcjohn]

There will be a website available in the coming weeks with details on the new stainless steel frames being built in Ireland - will post the link here as soon as I have it.

[Morpheus]

If you need a frame, I have a beautiful frame in brilliant condition for sale. I purchased a Pearce SS frame a long time ago, so don't have a need for my old one. I only swapped it because I wanted the SS frame, not because I needed it.

Still got it?

[justlooking]

There will be a website available in the coming weeks with details on the new stainless steel frames being built in Ireland - will post the link here as soon as I have it.

Any update on this?

[Rich W]

I have several spare OEM frames, but most are still in the rolling chassis form (easier to move).

Almost all need minor work. I plan to have a couple of them repaired sometime after DCS,
since I will not have the time to strip them of parts, down to bare frames, before DCS and
I do not have any extra spare cash now to have my welder/fabricator guy do the repairs
before DCS either, so a few of these frames may become available by mid to late Summer.

Right now, I have two automatic frames and two manual frames.

Send me a PM if you have an interest in either type of frame.

My reply may be delayed, but I will try to get back to you.

Thanks,
Rich W.

[Kenny_Z]

I haven't thought about that, I honestly thought it would probably cost more to fix it up rather than buy a good used one and sell the front end off of mine since it is good. Pensacola isn't a bad drive considering I drive to NY at least once a year. Do you know the name? Thanks

Sorry, I didn't see this before. It is called Powerline Speed and Marine. http://powerlinespeed.com/

[Stefan]

Any updates on the Stainless frame from Ireland? There was supposed to be a link posted at some point. Would be really neat to check out.

[john 05141]

I am fortunate enough not to need a new frame (I have one of those rubber coated ones)
But I heard that a stainless steel frame is stiffer and may get hair cracks, is that true?
With a SS frame your DeLorean can be a daily driver even in the winter time.

I am looking to get a SS roofcage tough.


Jan

[yellowmxwheels23]

the perfect frame from 712 will be available soon.

[Stefan]

Sorry for sounding naive, but whats the 712?

Any photos or any other information available at this time?

[pezzonovante88]

I hear tell that DPI is going to introduce a SS frame....

[Rich W]

Sorry for sounding naive, but whats the 712?

Any photos or any other information available at this time?

DeLorean VIN...712 is being parted out. Frame available soon.