17082 - How's She Look?

[LordFly]

I am extremely pleased to announce that 17082 has found a new home :D It will be a week or two before all the paperwork and such is done, but in the mean time, I've attached a ton of pictures (my apologies to the server). I was hoping whoever had some free time could take a look and maybe tell me where to start. There are a few things that can be ignored as the current owner has a fair number of spare parts coming in fromt DMC:
- The windshield is being replaced before delivery
- A number of the gas shocks
- There is a second louver (which is not perfect, but better)
- Stock wheels are currently in a storage trailer, just need to be hauled out. Although we're not sure about the spare.... may be in the trailer, may not
- Pull straps will likely be ordered very shortly after delivery
- I will repair engine cover latch that has pulled out (but would love some recommendations on how if anyone has done this previously)
- Headliner is currently out because a number of seals are being replaced

Well, what do you guys think??

17121171221712317124171251712617127171281712917130 17131171321713317134171351713617137171381713917140 17141171421714317144171451714617147171481714917150 171511715217153171541715517156171571715817159

Edit: Had about 14 more pictures, but I guess there is a 40 pic limit.

[LordFly]

Here are the others that got missed :)

1716017161171621716317164171651716617167

[Shep]

Is that a nitrous bottle in the rear right of the engine compartment? Can't say I've ever seen that on a stock PRV before :wow:

Looking at the pictures, I did notice the rear tow hooks have some rust on them. Not sure if that's surface rust or a bit deeper, but I'd get that fixed sooner rather than later. You don't want to be in a position where you need to be winched out of a ditch and have it break through. Other than that, the frame looks like it's in very good shape. I see a full size front spare tire in your trunk, so you're missing the trunk floor mat. Not sure whether you prefer to have it or not, but it's a fairly cheap part from your local vendor of choice. You might be able to find that from a local owner and save on shipping though.

The brake rotors are rusted, so obviously it's been sitting for a month or two, but once you drive it around the block a few times and use the brakes, the rust will wear off. They'll squeak quite a bit at first, but that's the rust, not a worn brake pad. I still saw non-rusted steel on every rotor, so it looks like it came from winter storage more than anything. Your coolant bottle has some brown spots as well that might be rust, but stainless versions are available from your local vendor. Doesn't look too bad though, so as long as the rest of the coolant bottle is fine, that's a "down the road" replacement.

Overall, it's in very, very nice condition! The previous owner took very good care of it, and it shows. That's probably the cleanest engine compartment I've seen that wasn't restored, and ditto for the rest of it. Well kept and well maintained. Great choice!

Oh, and welcome to the club! ;)

[sdg3205]

Very nice! That's going to clean up nicely. Those rims are horrible!

Looks like you'll need a hose kit, those hoses look original. You've got some undercoating to deal with too, should the mood strike you. Did I see a Nitrious oxide canister in the engine bay?!

Looks like you've got a great example to breath some new life in to! Congratulations!

EDIT - you've also got the original rad, in need of some new heat shields and what looks like damage to a striker pin. I saw some frame rust like shep mentioned. Maybe some close ups of those areas?

[Nicholas R]

Is that a nitrous bottle in the rear right of the engine compartment? Can't say I've ever seen that on a stock PRV before :wow:


Lol, I can't tell whether or not you're joking. That's definitely a bottle for the coolant to overflow into. I cannot imagine a stock PRV handling the increased pressures of a shot of NOS very well. Maybe it could handle a 50hp shot but you'd have to be really careful. Not to mention you'd have to get really clever with the injection system. I'd say a single wet injector drilled and screwed into the intake manifold would be about the only option. Plus all the Nos and fuel plumbing. It would probably confuse the hell out of the lambda system too.

Anyway... Looks like a DeLorean! Haha, congratulations! Definitely looks like you got a nice one! When I was first thumbing through the pictures I couldn't figure out how you had a full size spare. Then I saw the enkei rims. Did you get all the DeLorean rims with the car or just a spare tire? Just curious, can't say I'm a big fan of the rims but to each their own of course.

So what's you're first project?! :biggrin:

EDIT: Ok so the bottle is a Nos brand octane boost fuel treatment bottle. Huge difference, lol. Also still looks to me like the coolant bottle overflow is running into it.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/OG/0000-Permatex-NOS-Octane-Booster-Racing-Formula---.jpg

[ALEXAKOS]

I am just going to say...
GOOD FOR YOU buddy:)

It seems to need some attention in a couple of places but nothing crazy.

What's crazy is the wheels...Oh boy what was he thinking... Even the John Deere tractor wheels behind the Delorean look better!!!!

And I do not like the silly black spray paint he used on the frame below to cover what ever, that colored a couple places along on its way there.

The engine oil pan was quickly wiped of the spills... and apparently closed the drivers door after that leaving the oily hand prints on it. Hahahah

Enjoy your ride buddy. I am sure you will make it look great soon!

[John U]

Make sure it's safe to drive....TABs, brakes, front end recall

[micmak]

The black spray was applied to a lot of later cars particularly the Canadian spec cars. It is a good thing and a bad thing depending on who you talk to. It looks like someone touched it up in places too. One thing that I would do sooner rather than later (based on personal experience) is replace the rad. It looks like an original one and it’s quite rusty up along the sides. Another thing that should be examined right away is the trailing arm bolts. If you show up with the car at the ODOC Tech day which is as yet unscheduled, we can look at them for you. I wonder how those two “bumps” appeared on the passenger door. As regards the wheels, if you want to look different and stand out from all the other DeLoreans in your neighborhood (!!! :hysterical:), then keep them on. If you want to blend in with all those other DeLoreans that your neighbors have, then put the originals back on, and nobody will notice you at all!!! The interior looks nice. The seats look perfect. Looks like a nice car. Congratulations and welcome aboard.

......Mike......

[LordFly]

I'll try to address everything in one go:

- It is a NOS octane boost bottle, but it's just being used as an overflow bottle. That will get replaced as soon as she gets home, with whatever should be in there.
- I will likely leave the frame alone for the summer, but I will get it on my buddy's hoist and inspect the frame better, possibly with an inspection scope if needed. If I see anything I don't like, I will likely separate frame from body over the winter and touch it all up.
- Trunk mat is missing :( I was told the current owner never got it. I would like to pick one up, and a regular size spare tire (if the current owner can't find it).
- Brakes are rusty, but just surface. It's been sitting for a while, but inside a garage, so I think they'll be ok. If not, I can get them turned.
- I don't like the coolant bottle, I don't think that is what's suppose to be in there at all. But Tony at DMCFL told me they're recreating the original plastic ones, so I'd like to get one of those.
- Haha, the rims are horrible! The current owner has had the car since 1988, so I guess some time in the last 25 years or so, he just got tired of the stock ones. I will fix that. But the Enkei's will look good on my Civic ;)
- I will put rad and hoses near the top of my list. I also thought those looked like original hoses, which means the rad likely is too. I'm pretty sure 30 year old hoses belong in the garbage.
- I don't think the striker pin is damaged (if you're looking at the one in the VIN plate picture), just the rubber plug around it. I'll replace that too.
- The clutch was just repalced recently, so that's likely why the engine looks like it was wiped off. It hasn't been driven for a while, but the engine has been fired up and there wasn't a single drop on the ground under the car, so there are no major leaks :)
- I will get better pics of the rad and trailing arm bolts when she gets home, then we can go from there
- I was told the door dents appeared when he let his brother take the car out, and apparently the "how" was never explained. Can anyone recommend a local(ish) place to get the door dings repaired?
- The seat covers were actually made locally. I've been told that aside from very minor details of the stitching, they are indistinguishable from the originals



Make sure it's safe to drive....TABs, brakes, front end recall

TABs and front end recall? I'm unfamiliar with both of these. Anyone have a link with some info? Thanks.

Thanks for all the replies guys, I'm glad everyone thinks it's in good shape. I'm starting to think I got a pretty good deal :)

[John U]

TABs = trailing arm bolts
Front end recall was a strengthening bracket to which the front sway bar attached, as well as some castle nuts and cotter pins on the ball joints. You can purchase the kit from DMCH (or my favourite vendor, DMCMW)

[Rich]

TABs and front end recall? I'm unfamiliar with both of these.

Congrats on the acquisition.

About the TABs reference:
You might want to take a peek at the list of DeLorean-specific acronyms over in the Resources section.

LINK to DeLorean-Acronym-List (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?1775-DeLorean-Acronym-List)

Wouldn't want to confuse your car's WUR with its CSV. And then there is the acronym for our all-time favorite part of the car to work on, the infamous VOD.

[LordFly]

Ahh, thanks. The current owner (I have to stick with that term for another week or so) wasn't into the forum type stuff. Didn't like clubs or anything like that. So likely in his 25 years of ownership had never heard of the front end recall kit. I'll add it to my list :)

[DMC5180]

Front end recall brackets are in place. Your good there.

Trailing Arm Bolts (aka TAB's). Just need to be checked to see that they are tight and not Bent.

Those brake discs have Heavy Thick Rust. These need to be Turned at a bare Minimum. The Limit is 11.7 MM (not 100%) on the spec though. How long has that car been sitting? One season of winter storage will show light orange surface rust. The kind that will clean off will a few brake applications. Coarse heavy rust is also indication the calipers should be looked at too. Pretty much a complete Brake hydraulic system rebuild is in order.

[micmak]

My understanding is that the Front End Kit is already installed in later cars. You should be ok there.

......Mike.......

[Patrick C]

My understanding is that the Front End Kit is already installed in later cars. You should be ok there.

......Mike.......

It is. You can see it in his pictures.

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=17124&d=1362889887

[micmak]

It is. You can see it in his pictures.

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=17124&d=1362889887

Ah, so it is! Well spotted, Patrick.

......Mike......

[17076]

Guys.. I might be wrong but isn't that a full size tire in the trunk? I think he's just mussing the "donut" spare.
I have 17076 -probably made the same week (if not day) and I have this military-looking spare under the
trunk floor.

[LordFly]

Excellent! I'll take the front end kit off my wish list :)

I don't think that's a full size spare, I think it's just one of the front wheels the guy took off when he put the aftermarket rims on. I don't think there is a full sized spare, is there? If I had the carpet, it wouldn't sit flush at all with that wheel in there.

[Dangermouse]

The car came with a space saver spare. Yes, that's just one of the front wheels.

Some owners source a "full sized spare" from a scrap yard, but it's really just a full size front, as the rear won't fit in that wheel well.

[Mike F]

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=17147&d=1362893355

I have never seen that additional "compliance with radio interference regulations" plate on a car before. Were there particular cars that got this for some reason?

[ArnieBrandon]

I'd fix the air conditioning first of all

[John U]

I think the radio compliance thing was for Canadian market cars

[John U]

I'd fix the air conditioning first of all

Redtek 12a works wonders

[LordFly]

I have never seen that additional "compliance with radio interference regulations" plate on a car before. Were there particular cars that got this for some reason?

As John U said, it's only on the Canadian Spec cars. I guess US car radios are not compliant ;)

[LordFly]

Redtek 12a works wonders

A belt couldn't hurt either :) I've used the 12a before, just not sure where the low side port is on a DeLorean. Never really looked. I can't imagine its too hard to find.

[Rich]

I'll try to address everything in one go:.....
- I don't like the coolant bottle, I don't think that is what's suppose to be in there at all. But Tony at DMCFL told me they're recreating the original plastic ones, so I'd like to get one of those.
- Haha, the rims are horrible!
- I will get better pics of the....trailing arm bolts when she gets home, then we can go from there


Only a few notes here on a few selected to-do's you listed.

1. Right, there was never any coolant overflow bottle fitted originally so you can dump that addition. The overflow hose would then be replaced to extend back and down below the rear frame rail. The PO shortened it for the bottle mod.
2. Aside from the look of the wheels it's likely that the rear width and/or the rear offset (hub-to-centerline of wheel) does not match the original specs. Those tires seem not to extend to the outer edges of the wheel wells back there. Correct wheels will fix this and you say that's on your list anyway.
3. Getting a photo of the TABs will require removing them. You probably knew that. As a starting point you can get the car up and then spin the bolt and look for any wobble in the nut on the other end. Wobble = bent bolt. Even if it's not wobbling get a look at each one of them anyway.

Have fun with the new project.

[pezzonovante88]

Congrats and we'll see you at the ODOC events this year!
Ps. Is that a Maserati Marek in the garage next to the D?

[Rich]

And are we seeing a yellow Maserati Merak keeping your D company in the garage?

Another Giugiaro masterpiece prior to his Flying Wedge (Lotus Esprit & DeLorean) period. The rear buttresses above the quarter panels look familiar to us even if he didn't use glass beneath them that time.

If not mistaken there are a few powertrain similarities between your two cars. The V-6 in the Merak is, like the PRV motor in a D, a 90-degree wonder derived from an earlier V-8 plan. Also just under 3 liters of displacement and all-aluminum? It had a fair bit more power than the PRV but not nearly the durability?

That is quite a pair of classics. Have fun.

[LordFly]

The yellow one is in fact a Maserati Merak. I didn't look at it too much. Wasn't really what I was there for. The DeLorean was much cooler anyways ;)

[AugustneverEnds]

Congratulations LordFly! Excellent to see another DeLorean coming to this part of north america :) Happy Driving!

[LordFly]

Congratulations LordFly! Excellent to see another DeLorean coming to this part of north america :) Happy Driving!

Thanks! But to be fair, I'm not really moving it very far. The current owner is only 3 hours away from me. Technically I'm moving it farther away from NY ;)

[David T]

On any used, old car you buy, one of the first things you should do is change all of the fluids and filters unless you KNOW they were recently done, done correctly, and with the correct fluids and filters. Next is to go over all of the safety related items. On a Delorean that includes:
Checking that all recalls were done
Replacing the tires if they are over 7 years old or dry rotted or worn out Battery if over 5 years old or fails a load test
Doing the electrical system upgrades (relay kit, fan bypass, door module)
Replacing weak struts
Checking the trailing arm bolts
Checking for any worn loose, missing, bent parts in the suspension
Checking the frame for rot
Inspecting the fuseblock for signs of heat damage and making sure each relay and fuse is correct for it's spot
If the brake fluid is dark and thick you will be rebuilding the brake and clutch systems once they start leaking
David Teitelbaum

[LordFly]

On any used, old car you buy, one of the first things you should do is change all of the fluids and filters unless you KNOW they were recently done, done correctly, and with the correct fluids and filters. Next is to go over all of the safety related items. On a Delorean that includes:
Checking that all recalls were done
Replacing the tires if they are over 7 years old or dry rotted or worn out Battery if over 5 years old or fails a load test
Doing the electrical system upgrades (relay kit, fan bypass, door module)
Replacing weak struts
Checking the trailing arm bolts
Checking for any worn loose, missing, bent parts in the suspension
Checking the frame for rot
Inspecting the fuseblock for signs of heat damage and making sure each relay and fuse is correct for it's spot
If the brake fluid is dark and thick you will be rebuilding the brake and clutch systems once they start leaking
David Teitelbaum

Thanks David! I was definitely going to go over most of that. Fluids especially. But I will put all the rest of your suggestion on my list as well. Is there a good link somewhere to ALL the recalls/upgrades/updates?

[David T]

You can start with a book of bulletins that the factory did. Each vender can sell you that. They also have the upgrades, each a little different than each other. Contact your favorite vender and tell them you are a new owner and want to get the car up to date. The list I gave you will get the car going but there is a LOT more to do to get it right and reliable. Stating with emptying the fuel tank and wiping it out.
David Teitelbaum

[Jonathan]

Thanks! But to be fair, I'm not really moving it very far. The current owner is only 3 hours away from me. Technically I'm moving it farther away from NY ;)

Are you planning on driving it back to London, or trailering it there?

[LordFly]

Are you planning on driving it back to London, or trailering it there?

Trailering it. Too much MTO crap to do before I can drive it. Also I have to drop off a different car on the way there. And it's coming with too many spare parts to fit inside it and/or my civic. And at the time I thought I was doing it by myself, but I have since recruited a helper.

Why do you ask?

[Jonathan]

Why do you ask?

Only because it may not be safe to drive at the moment. I made some observations here, some repeats from what others mentioned, some affecting safety, some not. Inquire about missing pieces before you finish the deal with the PO as a few of them are NLA.

Door sill seals missing (no metal strip either)
Extra strut holding up bonnet
Spare tire missing
Trunk carpet missing
Windshield wiring/line coming down middle from rearview mirror
Parcel shelf cargo net missing?
Vice grips on passenger door strut?
Extra struts holding up engine cover
No deice shield in place nor recall paint dots on firewall
Some unknown number of engine cover grilles retaining strips missing
Engine cover lower latch pieces missing (hook plus others possibly)
A/C compressor belt missing
One or more air filter housing hooks missing
Three brass adjustment screws on intake; it looks like there is one missing
Air filter housing rear most bolt missing?
Passenger side deflector shield bolt missing (1 of 3)
Drivers side deflector shield missing one bolt
Heatshields around muffler and catalytic convertor missing or damaged
Some pieces of the throttle spool/spring look to be missing
Drivers side A-pillar trim missing
Cigar lighter missing
Headliner missing
Front interior dome light missing
Sunvisors missing
Engine cover stay bracket looks slightly bent
Trip reset plunger snapped off?
All four original DeLorean wheels/rims (one is in spare tire location in trunk)
Battery compartment cover missing?
No floor mats
Drivers side exhaust manifold looks to be in poor shape, possible gasket replacement necessary
Passenger side fan shroud damaged
Rust on front suspension
Brake rotors and calipers look rusty and in poor condition
Engine bay light not working?
Zip tie on rear fascia latch area?
Coolant reservoir cap overflow line going into bottle
Front end recall castle nuts and cotter pins in place?
A/C freon system has not been converted from original
Custom transmission shift plate?
Special lug nut adapter tool needed to get off the aftermarket rims that are on it right now?

Additional questions:
No fuse relay area pictures provided
No ECU area pictures provided
Battery compartment close-up?
Drivers side cubby hole close-up?
Drivers footwell close-up?
Inside of glovebox?
Seat adjustment mechanism? Slide release bars?
Function of electrical components? Stereo, turn signals, horns, headlights, marker lights, tail lights, interior lights, cluster warning lights, windows, mirrors, door locks, power antenna, HVAC, windshield wipers, wiper spray
Underneath bulkhead connectors cover?
Fuel accumulator, tank condition, pump operation?
Condition of TABs?
Speedometer, lambda counter, angle drive, dust cap?
Parking brake condition? Cables?
Boots? Steering rack, rear drive axles, tie rod ends, ball joints
Hood release cable? Back-up cable?
Door closing alignment?
Otterstat "tee" facing up or down?

[LordFly]

Woah! Good eye! That's the kinda list I was hoping for! A good number of those things are not an issue. The windshield is broken, it's being replaced before delivery, along with the door seals, that why a lot of that area is apart. Most of the door/hood/trunk struts are new, just have been installed yet, so they're propping up various other things. The owner was actually not really ready to sell yet, but timing was too perfect for me, so I jumped on it :) Stock wheels (and hopefully spare) are in a storage trailer they will come with. I didn't ask about the wheel nut lock tool, I just naturally assumed it's in the car where it should be. Guess I should double check, thanks. And yes, there are a number of little things missing here and there, but I will deal with them. I'll go over your list in more detail next weekend when the car is in my garage and make up a list of odds and ends to get on order :)

A large part of me feels that I'm saving this car :) I don't think the PO appreciated it in the way he should have. He definitely likes the car, but he does not LOVE the car like I will. I will make sure that all the little odds and ends get put back how they belong. Not all at once, but over the next couple of years, as budget allows.

Since you seem to have a great eye for this stuff, what do you think I should have paid for the car? I'm just curious how I did :)

[TTait]

That's the spirit - IMO a rescue car is the best car you can have.

I was at a car show recently - I had probably a hundred people just asking to sit in my car for a pic, answered questions about it for 4 solid hours without a negative comment - but guess what won the prizes? Cars that were fully restored with no limit to budget, done by professionals. They were nice cars and the owners would explain how hard it was to find a perfect car, and how they have to dust it off periodically. The really proud ones were the owners that actually had to go out and hire the guys to restore their cars for them - they had to really keep an eye on things, and in some cases pick whether to go with the original color or change to a new one. That's commitment! (ahem...)

They have their trophys (the cars in this case), I have a car that I have brought back from beyond the dead with my own two hands - I wouldn't trade...

With any luck, you will never be truly done. I mean that in the best possible way of course.

Tom

edit - I wouldn't fret over how much you should have paid - you have a car you love - it was a good deal. The dollars won't count for much as one expensive replacement made or averted tips the scale wildly. Worry about how much to pay before you decide to make the deal, but not after.

[refugeefromcalif]

That's the spirit - IMO a rescue car is the best car you can have.

I was at a car show recently - The really proud ones were the owners that actually had to go out and hire the guys to restore their cars for them - they had to really keep an eye on things. That's commitment! (ahem...)

They have their trophys (the cars in this case), I have a car that I have brought back from beyond the dead with my own two hands - I wouldn't trade...

Tom

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/24173985.jpg

I hate to admit it but, I searched for, and bought the Best D that I could so I didn't have to restore one, (At my age, I wouldn't live long enough)... :D

Although, Now I have to keep it in running order... (Or, have the work done by DMC Florida while it's still under Warranty).........

George

[Jonathan]

Since you seem to have a great eye for this stuff, what do you think I should have paid for the car? I'm just curious how I did :)


Worry about how much to pay before you decide to make the deal, but not after.

I agree with Tom.

Best advice is to not ask this question.

Why?

The question has been asked many times before and rarely have I seen the person asking get answers that benefited them in some way. More often than not, you might hear someone say "you paid too much", or "you bought THAT car?" and it won't help your enthusiasm. If the deal is already done, then make a note of the amount you paid and then never reveal that number to anyone.

There are no set prices on our cars. Not even close. Heck, not even the parts are always the price you expect. Things can change seemingly overnight and there are no dollar values to compare things to. Furthermore, we don't really know what you bought yet. Without knowing the inventory of what was included, what is missing, and what surprises might be found after you start to work on the car, no one can really say what it was worth (including of course the person new to these cars). They are all guesses at best.

And it is your money and only you get to spend it (well, and maybe an ex-wife at some point). If you felt it was a good deal, that is all that matters. No one would expect this question to be answered the same way if you asked Will.I.Am first and then Chris Burns second (as an example). Everyone sees things a different way.

You might not yet completely understand why we are telling you not to worry about getting an answer to this question, but over time you will. If the price negotiating is already in the past, leave it there. For even the guys with a time travelling movie car can't go back and change things.

[LordFly]

And it is your money

Technically it's the banks money ;) They'll own the car for the next year or two. but I'll gladly drive it for them in the mean time :D