Background behind these hood plugs?

[Shep]

So my DeLorean has a rubber plug fetish. It's got the normal Clutch Fluid Reservoir plug next to the gas cap (auto, not stick), plus the same plug located in the Passenger-side wiper fluid tank hole (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?4181-Passenger-side-wiper-fluid-tank), plus four in the lower "X" brace of the hood, all the same exact part number. Then it has four more 1" diameter holes on the outer edges of the hood, the top two of which have rubber plugs (bottom two are bare). What I can't figure out is why the hood plugs exist.

Here's a couple pictures of the hood plugs in question:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/78099959/VIN%20559/Pictures/Rarities/Resized/Rarity01s.JPG (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/78099959/VIN%20559/Pictures/Rarities/Rarity01.JPG)

(click for a bigger image)

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/78099959/VIN%20559/Pictures/Rarities/Resized/Rarity07s.JPG (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/78099959/VIN%20559/Pictures/Rarities/Rarity07.JPG)

(click for a bigger image)

The "X" brace plugs can be seen in the top picture, and the plugs on the outer edge can be seen right above the trim piece to the left of the side marker light in the bottom picture.

The previous owner (who passed away in 2009) spoke of tests on the hood light wiring. Which makes sense until you stop and realize the only hole that the wires enter the fascia is on the driver's side; the passenger side has no such hole. Not to mention the fact that holes in those locations would not help route wiring in the slightest. This also does not explain the 1" diameter holes on the outer edges. The holes are very obviously engineered; the measurements are VERY precise, and the left side exactly mirrors the right side in terms of location and size. Adding to the mystery is that the smaller holes have two bare and open, and two plugged up, while the "X" brace holes all have plugs.

Does anyone have any information regarding these plugs? I spoke with someone who stated they thought they remembered seeing some documentation on it, but never got back to me on whether or not they found it, and to be honest I don't even know if they looked. Besides this potential documentation (which hasn't surfaced yet) and a conversation that Rich W had with the original owner, there has been nothing else to note on the subject. Obviously it is a one-off kind of deal, or more hoods would have been found similar to mine. The question is why were those holes drilled, then plugged.

Can anyone provide any insight into these hood plugs? Speculation is welcome! I can't seem to figure out what the reasoning is, but perhaps some of the brighter and more experienced minds on this forum may have a better idea of why they exist. :dunno:

[Michael]

I saw that once before on the old site but I can't remember what the back story was on them. If I were speculating, I would say dent repair access holes, or maybe a dent guy trying to repair an X.

[DMCMW Dave]

.....If I were speculating, I would say dent repair access holes, or maybe a dent guy trying to repair an X.

It's seen on some very early cars in exactly that pattern. I've never found out why either. There is also sometimes the same plug where the washer reservoir would be but on the right hand side. That one seems like an assembly-line error.

[Iznodmad]

When I looked at VIN 643 in July, it had the exact same thing. I didn't take a good pic of the backside of the bonnet, but they do show up in this pic in the corner. 13865

[lazabby]

Since your car is a very early VIN I suspect that the car was used for trying out different placement of objects. The plugs were to cover holes they made. Or perhaps early production messed up some things.

[Dangermouse]

Nonesense!

Before BTTF came along, the factory tried to get product placement on a new TV series called the Dukes of Hazzard. The plan was to replicate the Confederate Flag on the underside of the hood, but have the stars light up while playing the signature tune on the car horn. Obviously only when stationary. The plugs are simply covers for where the lights were to go.

The plan was scrapped once the producers heard the horrible horn sound and the General O'Lee was no more.



Hey, it's as good an explanation as any

[Shep]

Wow, didn't realize other D's had this! Maybe it's a production error? 643 is 84 VINs after mine, perhaps a few were screwed up and the whole last-in-first-out thing that happened with the HVAC plates meant they were somewhat scattered across VINs? I thought it was for some testing, but production error now seems plausible.


There is also sometimes the same plug where the washer reservoir would be but on the right hand side. That one seems like an assembly-line error.This one is in fact a production error. After I posted the thread I linked to in the first post, I came across some documentation saying the drill jig that created the hole was accidentally duplicated on the other side, and once discovered was "deleted", also saying to simply use the Clutch Fluid Reservoir plugs in that location for all underbodies on the line.


Since your car is a very early VIN I suspect that the car was used for trying out different placement of objects. The plugs were to cover holes they made. Or perhaps early production messed up some things.Interesting theory. If this is the case, I wonder what kind of objects were used in this testing.


Nonesense!

Before BTTF came along, the factory tried to get product placement on a new TV series called the Dukes of Hazzard. The plan was to replicate the Confederate Flag on the underside of the hood, but have the stars light up while playing the signature tune on the car horn. Obviously only when stationary. The plugs are simply covers for where the lights were to go.

The plan was scrapped once the producers heard the horrible horn sound and the General O'Lee was no more.:hysterical:

Now THAT was the funnest DeLorean comment I have read in quite some time. 300 internets to you good sir!

[Notifier]

They're "speed holes" - make the car go faster!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=speed%20holes

[Shep]

Figured I'd give this a long overdue "bump" as it were, now that we have plenty of fresh faces here. This is the last mystery remaining on my car, and I'm dying to figure out the actual reason behind its existence.

Here's the plugs circled for clarity (you'd think I'd have a better picture by now):

http://vin559.com/images/original_parts/hood/hood_plugs_circled.jpg

I left the small, 1" plugs on the left/driver's side left uncircled since you can't make them out. I tried getting in touch with the DeLorean museum, and while they were very helpful with the hole in the passenger side of the trunk, I never heard back on the hood plugs, so I'm assuming that's a dead end. Does anyone know anything on these? "Production error" seems to be the leading theory, but why drill any holes in the first place, especially in such an engineered pattern? :hmm:

[Patrick C]

Lawrence's VIN 538 has the hood holes as well.