Hush-Hush about new-build?

[DinoDino]

Hi everyone! I've briefly searched for recent posts and questions on this matter, and haven't found any. But if this issue is well-covered, I apologize.

Not only isn't there any apparent recent talk about it here, but not on the DMC facebook or the site. In fact, people ask about the New Build status almost daily on facebook and the questions are ignored.

I also emailed and called the houston location but didn't receive an answer. Though admittedly, I have yet to make a followup call.

We all know the new build is no longer available from the site itself, but the FAQ states that they are "now accepting orders," but perhaps this is not up to date?

The long-short of it is, can a serious costumer with the money still have a new-build built to specification? Or has that halted completely until the Electric models are released?

Further, if the New Build has been halted, once the Electric models come out, will the normal combustion engine models still be available?

I suspect that the hush-hush nature of the company's policy indicates that the program is not gone, but they want to deter enthusiastic costumers who aren't actually planning to buy.

Does anyone have any information as the current policy/the fate of the combustion cars once the Electrics are out?

Thanks so much, and sorry again if this is a well-covered issue that I've missed.

Blake

[thirdmanj]

Best bet is to be persistent with DMCH. Any info you acquire here will be anecdotal or speculative, unless the posters handle is highlighted in green. Best of luck.

[Michael]

I have also wondered what has become of the "new build" program. The last I read, you had a choice between the new stainless frames or the factory frames that have been stripped and powdercoated. I think the last price was 57k base.

In any event, screw being persistent, no customer (especially one with cash in hand) should have to ask twice to buy a car from them....that's just plain sorry business, no matter what you are selling.

EDIT...Blake, first of all welcome,sorry I forgot to greet you. Second, call Dave Single at DeLorean Mid-West. I think they might still have a very low mileage remanufactured car for sale. I wouldn't spend money with DMCH at all after being ignored like that. Dave will do everything in his power to help you. Furthermore, if you do find a rebuild used, its probably much cheaper to buy it and add the things you want, because the depreciation hit on a new build is a pretty good chunk of change....Trust me, I speak from experience.

[thirdmanj]

I've also heard nothing but good things about DMCMW. DeLorean Performance Industries is also pretty top notch.

Michael, he was asking specific questions about the "new build" program. That's why I advised as I did. I agree with you though, if he's been ignored like that, for the amount of money he seems prepared to spend on a DeLorean, he's best off going to someone who'll treat him well.

[DinoDino]

Thanks for the greeting. And thanks for your replies. I'm glad I'm not crazy in my assessment of this new build thing being sort of ghostly.

I plan on buying later this year, around six months from now. And I plan to pay mostly cash. That's a good tip on the used rebuilds. I hadn't seen any.

On a personal note, I'd have to find one already made which has a, automatic, a Stage II engine and a modern dashboard. A used rebuild with those two upgrades is the golden ticket, which is why I suspect I'll have to have it made.

I can't go electric. 100 miles on a charge restricts you to a commuter's range, and I plan for this to be my main car for the next number of years, hence my need for an upgrade in horsepower. 130 hp in a v6 with a lot of highway driving. Doesn't seem very practical. But maybe I'm wrong.

Thanks again, guys, and if anyone knows anything more concrete, I'd love the info.

[louielouie2000]

The last thing I heard about the new build cars was quite some time back. I know the newest series of new build cars was supposed to implement brand new underbodies with 21st century materials- significantly stronger & something like 200 pounds lighter? I definitely second the notion to call DMC Midwest. Dave & Julee Swingle are wonderful people, and they exhibit the best customer service in the DeLorean hobby.

Like Michael said, keep your eyes peeled for second-hand new builds as well. There was one on eBay quite recently.

Also, I know DeLorean Performance Industries has their own new build program these days, too. DPI is the only vendor who is really throwing out all the old DeLorean dogma & is reengineering all aspects of these cars. If it were me, I'd see what DPI's new build program is all about. The DMC Texas new build cars apparently have a lot of the same old DeLorean quality/reliability issues. Plus, their Stage II engines don't make anywhere near the advertised 200 hp. DPI is supposed to be coming out with a game changing performance PRV, but I haven't heard any new details on that in a while. I know we're all eagerly awaiting details!

[Farrar]

a modern dashboard.

You're going to wait a long time for that.

[DinoDino]

Farrar, I just mean that upgrade they offered with a usb port and stuff instead of a tape deck. Otherwise I love how the original dash looks.

Whoa. I never even knew DPI existed! I'll watch them closely.

[Farrar]

Farrar, I just mean that upgrade they offered with a usb port and stuff instead of a tape deck.

Oh, that. I thought you were talking about the gauge cluster. My bad.

[topcop66]

At roughly 100k a pop, I don't think that the electrics are going to be "all that", in terms of production numbers.
Concentrate on the original cars with standard engines, seek out newer materials and such and promote the hell out of them and I'm sure they would move more cars than the electric ones.
Electrics seem to be more of a novelty/status symbol type thing.
You want a true/actual Delorean....go with the PRV.

[wrkey]

I am sorry to hear you are having trouble hearing back from DMCH. I had my car worked on there and have bought several parts from them so I could do repairs myself. They have always been helpful. I find it very hard to believe that no one would answer you calls. Everytime I call DMCH during normal business hours (central time) someone always answers the phone and helps me immediately.

If I recall correctly, the prototype elecric one was sold to Google for use on their campus and the are currently working to design/engineer/fund the next next version.

I suggest you make the phone call and I'm willing to be you'll get the help/answers you are looking for.

Good luck!

[Elvis]

From the experience with the light switch I'd say, they need at least a paid pre order
of around 250 cars and in 25 years they will have it ready.

Well, they will come with a red letter that says - do not connect the battery to the orange wire :-P




I'm glad DMCH is out there, without them for sure my car would not be running anymore,
but their way to advertise is not the style I like.
It's the Madonna style - be in the news, no matter what...

[Jonathan]

Electrics seem to be more of a novelty/status symbol type thing.

You want a true/actual Delorean....go with the PRV.

32 years ago, weren't much of the original DeLorean sales based on it being a novelty/status symbol type thing?

[thirdmanj]

32 years ago, weren't much of the original DeLorean sales based on it being a novelty/status symbol type thing?

:hihi2: truth.

[Dangermouse]

If I recall correctly, the prototype elecric one was sold to Google for use on their campus and the are currently working to design/engineer/fund the next next version.


Interesting. hadn't heard that before.

[RammJaeger]

DMCH seem to be hush hush about a lot of things, and that kind of worries me. I bought my Delorean partially based on DMCH being out there saying they will "sell the NOS parts until they are gone, then they will reproduce the parts when NOS parts run out." Basically I was depending on them to a large degree to be a stable company, and continue making parts for my car.

But their communication with the public is so poor it worries the heck out of me. How many years has new build been "coming soon"? How many years have repro binnacles been "almost done"? They announced the electric delorean coming soon 2 years ago. Basically it looks like they keep announcing things and grabbing headlines, then letting thier customers (or potential customers) eat static for years on end. I was really interested in a new build Delorean but I got so tired of it "coming soon" that I just bought an older Delorean and am fixing it up. All of these slipped deadlines and lack of communication makes me worry about the health of the company. If DMCH goes under, a lot of us Delorean owners will be in rough shape fixing up and keeping our cars on the road.

Now I understand things happen in business (I own a business myself), things get delayed, plans change, etc. But DMCH really need to communicate with their customer base. If new build is never coming, tell us and take it off the front page of your website. If binnacles aren't coming any time soon, let us know. If the electric delorean is just a pipe dream let us know. Please communicate with us DMCH!

[louielouie2000]

but their way to advertise is not the style I like.
It's the Madonna style - be in the news, no matter what...

Agreed. Here's the thing: with DeLorean owners, DMC Texas has a captive audience. Regardless of which vendor you buy your parts from, all NOS parts are sourced from DMC Texas. If you're a DeLorean owner, you have no choice but to support DMC Texas, even if you buy your parts from PJ Grady, for instance. DMC Texas does all of it's crazed, manic marketing to infuse new bodies into the DeLorean community. More people could be buying parts from them; of the 7,000 DeLoreans left, only 1,500 are roadworthy. They don't have to care about what current owners think of all of this, because DeLorean owners have no choice but to support DMC Texas, even if it's obliquely. They need NEW owners, hence all the hype.

Yes, DMC Texas has raised the profile of the DeLorean marque through their headline grabbing shenanigans, but they've also horribly muddied the DeLorean marque's history. Everyone I talk to truly thinks they're building brand new 2013 titled DeLoreans in Houston, and that the company in Houston is the same as the original DeLorean Motor Cars, Ltd. which produced the DMC-12 in Northern Ireland. It's maddening.


DMCH seem to be hush hush about a lot of things, and that kind of worries me. I bought my Delorean partially based on DMCH being out there saying they will "sell the NOS parts until they are gone, then they will reproduce the parts when NOS parts run out." Basically I was depending on them to a large degree to be a stable company, and continue making parts for my car.

But their communication with the public is so poor it worries the heck out of me. How many years has new build been "coming soon"? How many years have repro binnacles been "almost done"? They announced the electric delorean coming soon 2 years ago. Basically it looks like they keep announcing things and grabbing headlines, then letting thier customers (or potential customers) eat static for years on end. I was really interested in a new build Delorean but I got so tired of it "coming soon" that I just bought an older Delorean and am fixing it up. All of these slipped deadlines and lack of communication makes me worry about the health of the company. If DMCH goes under, a lot of us Delorean owners will be in rough shape fixing up and keeping our cars on the road.

Now I understand things happen in business (I own a business myself), things get delayed, plans change, etc. But DMCH really need to communicate with their customer base. If new build is never coming, tell us and take it off the front page of your website. If binnacles aren't coming any time soon, let us know. If the electric delorean is just a pipe dream let us know. Please communicate with us DMCH!

I agree it's a shame they've become so insulated from the community which supports them. The way DMC Texas is alienating themselves from the community, while simulaneously trying to falsely inflate DeLorean resale values through their absurd asking prices for "pre owned" cars, is eerily similar to the path DeLorean One went down. Ironic, when that is the very reason Stephen Wynne broke from DeLorean One to form DMC Texas in the first place.

Regarding DMC Texas finances, there may be some cause for worry there as well. Bill Robertson told me a few years ago that an innebriated James Espey informed him that Stephen Wynne had mortgaged his home to support the business, or at least one of the projects within the business. James shared this with Bill to showcase Stephen's love of the DeLorean, NOT as proof that the company was struggling. That being said, it could be a sign of trouble. When Bill informed me of this, it was during the height of the recession, though. And taking out loans/mortgages/etc is a gamble even very stable companies take. Sometimes it pays off richly, sometimes it's a death knell. Even if DMC Texas were to fall (which I highly doubt), a shrewd buyer would no doubt come along and scoop up the business. Probably make it leaner & more focused, too. But seeing how DMC Texas has a stronghold on the world's supply of NOS DeLorean parts, I'm sure their business is quite secure.

Regarding WHY they have become so insulated from the community, perhaps they just got tired of armchair quarterbacks? Some allegations & questions just aren't worth responding to. Why respond to a few disgruntled DeLorean owners on a message board, when you can focus your time on making international news with New Build/Electric/etc cars?

[DeLorean03]

Regarding WHY they have become so insulated from the community, perhaps they just got tired of armchair quarterbacks? Some allegations & questions just aren't worth responding to.

You are WAY more right then you know. I discussed this with the higher ups at DMCH, and that was nearly EXACTLY the reason they gave.

[Michael]

You are WAY more right then you know. I discussed this with the higher ups at DMCH, and that was nearly EXACTLY the reason they gave.

I haven't read a lot about people trying to run DMCH or telling them how to conduct business, not to say those types are not out there, but I think most of the "advice" given is how they (as money holding customers) would like to be treated. "Insulate" and "ignore" have different meanings, but from a customers' point of view, may be hard to distinguish between.

[mluder]

At roughly 100k a pop, I don't think that the electrics are going to be "all that", in terms of production numbers.
Concentrate on the original cars with standard engines, seek out newer materials and such and promote the hell out of them and I'm sure they would move more cars than the electric ones.
Electrics seem to be more of a novelty/status symbol type thing.
You want a true/actual Delorean....go with the PRV.

I certainly can appreciate the novelty of creating a one-off electric vehicle for promotional purposes and then planning build to order production alongside the standard combustion. I can't believe they honestly expected people to line up to buy $100,000 cars.

The electric should have been a side project that was worked on when all the other more lucrative work was completed... In other words, one wonders if we might be able to order new binacles today if they had stayed on task and not been distracted.

That said, I still support the company and will continue to buy from them.

Cheers
Steven

[Michael]

I certainly can appreciate the novelty of creating a one-off electric vehicle for promotional purposes and then planning build to order production alongside the standard combustion. I can't believe they honestly expected people to line up to buy $100,000 cars.

The electric should have been a side project that was worked on when all the other more lucrative work was completed... In other words, one wonders if we might be able to order new binacles today if they had stayed on task and not been distracted.

That said, I still support the company and will continue to buy from them.

Cheers
Steven

I stand corrected

[DinoDino]

Wow! So many responses! I'm really glad I'm not the only one with these fears/feelings.

This "DPI" company really intrigues me. Even if DMCH does still offer new builds, would it be wiser to get and engine and components made from sturdy, modern, durable materials from DPI and then have a technician assemble the car? I have a few months to see what happens anyway, but when I buy I'm really looking for the most modern and reliable possible configuration. It's always been my dream to own one of these cars, but it would be foolish to invest so much in something that performs like a 25 year old lemon.

[thirdmanj]

Wow! So many responses! I'm really glad I'm not the only one with these fears/feelings.

This "DPI" company really intrigues me. Even if DMCH does still offer new builds, would it be wiser to get and engine and components made from sturdy, modern, durable materials from DPI and then have a technician assemble the car? I have a few months to see what happens anyway, but when I buy I'm really looking for the most modern and reliable possible configuration. It's always been my dream to own one of these cars, but it would be foolish to invest so much in something that performs like a 25 year old lemon.

What'd I say? ;)

Seriously, check out DPI. I wish I woulda known about it before I got into DeLoreans, woulda saved a lot of headache.

[DrJeff]

Putting things in perspective, how many other models of cars do you see driving around after 30 years? And of those how many look as in good condition as the Deloreans? If all the other models had survived 30 years in the same proportion as the Deloreans, you might likely find that they are also not reliable and needing attention. I would bet that the Delorean would actually rank pretty well in the reliability lists for 1980s cars.

In statistics this is called survivor bias, you can't draw conclusions about all the other 30 year old cars because they didn't survive for you to generate an opinion on.

If you consider the survival rate of the Delorean you would have to give John D some credit for making a car that in some respects could survive 30 years.

[DinoDino]

Well I couldn't really say one way or another. I'm not a car expert or delorean expert by any stretch. All I'm saying is that it seems some of the materials in those engines don't age well, and also, delorean's parts are proprietary, making them hard to maintain and replace. There also weren't very many made.

Basically, I need it to perform like a Camry. A workhorse. the closer I can get to that, the better.

[NightFlyer]

Basically, I need it to perform like a Camry. A workhorse. the closer I can get to that, the better.

Why would anyone want any car to perform with a sudden unintended acceleration problem?

Furthermore, why on earth would you modify a DeLorean to have a sudden unintended acceleration problem?

[thirdmanj]

Why would anyone want any car to perform with a sudden unintended acceleration problem?

Furthermore, why on earth would you modify a DeLorean to have a sudden unintended acceleration problem?

:hihi2: If there's one problem the DeLorean definitely doesn't have, it's acceleration.

[kobachi]

The latest I heard was that the company that was making the new stainless frames went out of business, and so until DMCH is able to find a new frame supplier, the new builds are on hiatus.

[Jonathan]

Putting things in perspective, how many other models of cars do you see driving around after 30 years? And of those how many look as in good condition as the Deloreans? If all the other models had survived 30 years in the same proportion as the Deloreans, you might likely find that they are also not reliable and needing attention. I would bet that the Delorean would actually rank pretty well in the reliability lists for 1980s cars.

One other perspective angle might be... "how many other products do you buy that you have access to the 'higher ups' at said company, and they are in tune with what is said on a forum, and make changes in how they run their business and with the products they sell?"

Some of the ones that come to mind that you are not going to see a change in products or services based on forum discussions might be:

Playstation games or consoles
Computer software in general
Golf clubs
Kitchen appliances
Most any other cars, such as my Pontiac G8, a Corvette of any description, a Dodge Caravan, etc., etc.
Smartphones
Coffee cups
Lawnmowers
......

You see where I'm going with this?

The point is, I can't think of a single other product I own where I would have any clue even where to start to get in touch with the people running the show and making the decisions. And I definitely don't remember the last time I was having beers with the VPs of PING or Titleist or GM or Microsoft. If there is a story of someone sharing drunken information with what goes on behind the scenes at DMCH, perhaps that alone tells you the whole DeLorean community is very rare and unique and how or what you think it should be doing relative to other things you see might need to be thrown out the window.

There is no precedent, so anything you wake up to in the morning and have available to you is a bonus in some ways. Not saying I wouldn't be interested in hearing a lot of the scoops on various things, but the reality is, no one owes you an explanation on any of it. That may not be ideal for Joe Customer sometimes, but in the world we live in today, that's tough shit and if you don't like it, spend your money elsewhere. We can choose to do that with things like cellphones and where to buy groceries. Unfortunately, if you are interested in DeLoreans, you get what someone else chooses for you to receive.

Vote with your feet as they say. I personally take no beef with pretty much anything I've seen to date from the products or services I've needed for my car. Mostly because of keeping it in perspective. If a time comes where you've run out of options or patience, think of another hobby. We all have the "rule of 25" type money invested, i.e. $25k. If someone has invested millions to run the business, and I have invested thousands on one product, I wouldn't feel the need to take advice from the thousands guy either.

[Nicholas R]

Does the "new-build" program even exist? Seriously, did it ever? I remember the announcement in June 2007 about new build cars. It is now 2013, 6 years later, and how many we're made? Zero. I'm I wrong? There no new VINed deloreans on the road today right? Honestly why would there be? The parts for the "new" cars are still the cars being used on the refurb cars. In the end, the New cars and the refurbed cars are essentially the same. Not trying to put DMCH or any other branches down, but that's just the facts. Same with the electric car program.

I think it's just all about publicity. Every few years DMCH strives to be in the national news headlines: "NEW DELOREANS!" "ELECTRIC DELOREANS!" Both of which are huge undertakings that they perhaps they didn't even plan to follow through with. Just a way to get DeLoreans back in the news and the public eye, and honestly, I don't mind. Yea it sucks that people are always asking if I have a "new" car but otherwise, it's cool to be relevant. You certainly haven't seen Bricklins in the news in the last decade. As far as I'm concerned, keep promoting the brand!

[RammJaeger]

One other perspective angle might be... "how many other products do you buy that you have access to the 'higher ups' at said company, and they are in tune with what is said on a forum, and make changes in how they run their business and with the products they sell?"

Some of the ones that come to mind that you are not going to see a change in products or services based on forum discussions might be:

Playstation games or consoles
Computer software in general
Golf clubs
Kitchen appliances
Most any other cars, such as my Pontiac G8, a Corvette of any description, a Dodge Caravan, etc., etc.
Smartphones
Coffee cups
Lawnmowers
......

You see where I'm going with this?

The point is, I can't think of a single other product I own where I would have any clue even where to start to get in touch with the people running the show and making the decisions. And I definitely don't remember the last time I was having beers with the VPs of PING or Titleist or GM or Microsoft. If there is a story of someone sharing drunken information with what goes on behind the scenes at DMCH, perhaps that alone tells you the whole DeLorean community is very rare and unique and how or what you think it should be doing relative to other things you see might need to be thrown out the window.

There is no precedent, so anything you wake up to in the morning and have available to you is a bonus in some ways. Not saying I wouldn't be interested in hearing a lot of the scoops on various things, but the reality is, no one owes you an explanation on any of it. That may not be ideal for Joe Customer sometimes, but in the world we live in today, that's tough shit and if you don't like it, spend your money elsewhere. We can choose to do that with things like cellphones and where to buy groceries. Unfortunately, if you are interested in DeLoreans, you get what someone else chooses for you to receive.

Vote with your feet as they say. I personally take no beef with pretty much anything I've seen to date from the products or services I've needed for my car. Mostly because of keeping it in perspective. If a time comes where you've run out of options or patience, think of another hobby. We all have the "rule of 25" type money invested, i.e. $25k. If someone has invested millions to run the business, and I have invested thousands on one product, I wouldn't feel the need to take advice from the thousands guy either.

I own a software company that makes computer games with about 40 employees. I visit our forums regularly and interact with my customers all the time. And I have sold millions of games. It's the right way to treat your customers. If I can interact with my millions of customers surely DMCH can interact with their thousands of customers. And I know a lot of the DMC guys do post on forums. But key information does seem to flow to the customers.

[Michael]

I think it's just all about publicity. Every few years DMCH strives to be in the national news headlines: "NEW DELOREANS!" "ELECTRIC DELOREANS!" Both of which are huge undertakings that they perhaps they didn't even plan to follow through with. Just a way to get DeLoreans back in the news and the public eye, and honestly, I don't mind. Yea it sucks that people are always asking if I have a "new" car but otherwise, it's cool to be relevant. You certainly haven't seen Bricklins in the news in the last decade. As far as I'm concerned, keep promoting the brand!

The thing about hype is sooner or later...you have to back it up.

[Doogie]

Nick has it dead on. Did the electric/New Build Deloreans ever exist outside of the original Paparazzi fandom? Probably not. Get the excitement, get the news crews, get the publicity, get it going on! I think it was always about promoting the brand, and I like that. No such thing as bad publicity right? IIRC , our cars withered away in the late 80's and 90's. Heck, insurance companies would not insure them! Now that they are finding their way out of 25 year sleeps, it's cool we can generate excitement about them! Promote the brand! Build an electric car? SURE!! Build a hovercraft? SURE!! Keep the excitement going! Or become the next Bricklin (who?) or Kodak (what?)

[DinoDino]

Why would anyone want any car to perform with a sudden unintended acceleration problem?

Furthermore, why on earth would you modify a DeLorean to have a sudden unintended acceleration problem?

heh. I just meant, you know. The stereotype with something like a japanese Sedan is they're tough, fuel-efficient and reliable for hundreds of thousands of miles. Plus Camrys have like...300 hp. I was really surprised to learn that!

The point is, I love Deloreans, but I'm not a mechanic. Also, I won't be using my car for a weekend car, nor a "sports" car. i.e. crazy torque upgrades or high performance stuff. That's why I drew the Camry comparison.

It's looking more and more like sending a really good pre-owned model into DPI is the smartest option.

[Ron]

Off topic discussion can be found here:

US-V-S-Them*SPLIT-From-Hush-Hush-New-Build-A-Three-Handed-Sock-Puppeteer-Performance (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?7579-US-V-S-Them*SPLIT-From-Hush-Hush-New-Build-A-Three-Handed-Sock-Puppeteer-Performance)

[louielouie2000]

The latest I heard was that the company that was making the new stainless frames went out of business, and so until DMCH is able to find a new frame supplier, the new builds are on hiatus.

I doubt this is what has caused the New Build section of the DMC Texas website to stagnate. The earlier New Build/Remanufactured/Refurbished DMC Texas cars implemented restored/powder coated stock frames.


Putting things in perspective, how many other models of cars do you see driving around after 30 years? And of those how many look as in good condition as the Deloreans? If all the other models had survived 30 years in the same proportion as the Deloreans, you might likely find that they are also not reliable and needing attention. I would bet that the Delorean would actually rank pretty well in the reliability lists for 1980s cars.

In statistics this is called survivor bias, you can't draw conclusions about all the other 30 year old cars because they didn't survive for you to generate an opinion on.

If you consider the survival rate of the Delorean you would have to give John D some credit for making a car that in some respects could survive 30 years.

This is really apples to oranges. The high rate of DeLorean survival has to do with several factors:

1) most original owners got hosed: they bought a VERY expensive car which depreciated rapidly, so they sat on the cars vs selling them for massive losses

2) With the company going belly up so quickly & dealers refusing to perform work on the cars, many of them were mothballed & not driven for decades.

3) The cars were highly flawed from the start. That's why the Quality Assurance Centers were established to basically rebuild the cars once they left the factory & hit American soil. Read Stainless Steel Illusion if you haven't already: 30 years ago the author accurately predicted the exact mechanical flaws the cars have become known for. Many cars were taken off the road very early on in their lives because of their mechanical issues. Even Johnny Carson was locked into his DeLorean.

All of these factors contribute to the amout of cars which survived. Especially low mileage cars. How many Porsches, Corvettes, etc do you see of a similar era with ultra low mileage like most DeLoreans exhibit?


Does the "new-build" program even exist? Seriously, did it ever? I remember the announcement in June 2007 about new build cars. It is now 2013, 6 years later, and how many we're made? Zero. I'm I wrong? There no new VINed deloreans on the road today right? Honestly why would there be? The parts for the "new" cars are still the cars being used on the refurb cars. In the end, the New cars and the refurbed cars are essentially the same. Not trying to put DMCH or any other branches down, but that's just the facts. Same with the electric car program.

I think it's just all about publicity. Every few years DMCH strives to be in the national news headlines: "NEW DELOREANS!" "ELECTRIC DELOREANS!" Both of which are huge undertakings that they perhaps they didn't even plan to follow through with. Just a way to get DeLoreans back in the news and the public eye, and honestly, I don't mind. Yea it sucks that people are always asking if I have a "new" car but otherwise, it's cool to be relevant. You certainly haven't seen Bricklins in the news in the last decade. As far as I'm concerned, keep promoting the brand!

Obviously there have been zero DeLoreans "produced" by DMC Texas which have new VIN numbers and have 21st century model year designations. It's all a PR device. However, I believe they do turn out 1 or 2 'New Builds' per month.


Anyone remember the Pontiac "Solstice" debacle???
I had people constantly coming up to me at shows asking about it.
Turned to be basically another publicity stunt to get their name in the news...for whatever purpose.
Think they should just stick to the bread and butter of the business.

I think the whole 'DeLorean Solstice' debacle was the most absurd stunt DMC Texas has yet pulled. If they can't get binnacles made after more than a decade, they sure as hell can't buy out & start producing a new car from General Motors. Fisker Automotive bought the plant where Solstices were made before the whole 'DeLorean Solstice' PR stunt was pulled, yet some DeLorean owners truly believed the 'DeLorean Solstice' was coming years afterward. I'm just glad most of this publicity grabbing nonsense took place after JZD's death. If he weren't cremated, he'd be rolling in his grave, for sure.

[Iznodmad]

If I had cash in hand to purchase a high quality delorean (like the OP apparently does), I wouldn't be begging any company to take my money. I agree with others in this thread to pursue a purchase with DPI. I daily drive one of my DeLoreans. All three of mine have been gone over by DPI and are in tip top shape. In fact, I go to pick up my most recent purchase from DPI on Saturday and drive it back home!

[thirdmanj]

If I had cash in hand to purchase a high quality delorean (like the OP apparently does), I wouldn't be begging any company to take my money. I agree with others in this thread to pursue a purchase with DPI. I daily drive one of my DeLoreans. All three of mine have been gone over by DPI and are in tip top shape. In fact, I go to pick up my most recent purchase from DPI on Saturday and drive it back home!

Three?! Good lord man.

[RammJaeger]

If I had cash in hand to purchase a high quality delorean (like the OP apparently does), I wouldn't be begging any company to take my money. I agree with others in this thread to pursue a purchase with DPI. I daily drive one of my DeLoreans. All three of mine have been gone over by DPI and are in tip top shape. In fact, I go to pick up my most recent purchase from DPI on Saturday and drive it back home!

How is DPI? Their broken website sort of put me off from looking into them. It worries me when I go to a company's website and most links I click on to buy something are broken.

[thirdmanj]

How is DPI? Their broken website sort of put me off from looking into them. It worries me when I go to a company's website and most links I click on to buy something are broken.

Yeeeah. There seems to be but one chink in DPIs remarkable armor, and that blasted website is it.

[mluder]

I stand corrected

Oh, calm down. :cool1:

I'm certainly not telling them HOW to run their business, I'm merely making an observation on the choices they have made. Critiquing the practices in an open forum is a little different then picking up the phone and calleing Stephen or James and giving them a piece of my mind.

That being said, companies do market research all the time to ask their customers what they would like to see more/less of in the future. Whether or not it's even good information is up to the compnay to ultimately decide and what the company chooses to do with that is up to them. The customers will vote with their dollars.

Cheers
Steven

[Michael]

I just visited the website, the refurbished/new build...whatever you want to call it, has been removed. Not a peep about anything other than used cars. Has the remanufactured DeLorean program come to an end? I would have to say yes.

[beernpizzalover]

I just visited the website, the refurbished/new build...whatever you want to call it, has been removed. Not a peep about anything other than used cars. Has the remanufactured DeLorean program come to an end? I would have to say yes.

I had given some serious thought to purchasing a new-build one, but their website just said 'coming soon' forever, so I just gave-up...

[DMC5180]

I just visited the website, the refurbished/new build...whatever you want to call it, has been removed. Not a peep about anything other than used cars. Has the remanufactured DeLorean program come to an end? I would have to say yes.

Probably, until they can figure out SS frame production again. What was called a "new build car" vs "Refurbished" ended when Pearce designs quit making the SS frames.

[Dangermouse]

At DCS last year Steven noted that DMCH had bought the rights to the Pearce design, as well as entering some sort of deal with a guy in Ireland who was also making them out of stainless. Perhaps neither was financially viable.

[beernpizzalover]

I had given some serious thought to purchasing a new-build one, but their website just said 'coming soon' forever, so I just gave-up...

By the way, I did keep a copy of the 'electronic brochure' - in case anyone's interested in viewing it:

[pezzonovante88]

By the way, I did keep a copy of the 'electronic brochure' - in case anyone's interested in viewing it:

I didn't realize they came with SS frames. Hmm.

[OverlandMan]

This new build program that never happened will be yet another confusing chapter in DeLorean history, similar to the cocaine in the doors belief.

[Michael]

I didn't realize they came with SS frames. Hmm.

When the "new build" program first started, the big selling point was the stainless frames being used, then later on there was an option to have one built with the stainless frame, or the factory frame, but at the time I read this on the Delorean build site, there was no difference in price. 57k was the base number, and you build on that depending on if you wanted to upgrade the engine, stereo, suspension, headlights, etc.

[RammJaeger]

Did anyone order a new build and actually get it? Did anyone on these forums order a new build and not get it?

[OverlandMan]

Did anyone order a new build and actually get it? Did anyone on these forums order a new build and not get it?

Far as I know, like Nick said, none were built and sold to customers. Based off the publicity, we know one existed for marketing purposes and/or proof of concept.

[Michael]

Far as I know, like Nick said, none were built and sold to customers. Based off the publicity, we know one existed for marketing purposes and/or proof of concept.

Actually there have been quite a few sold. Last count was 20+ new builds, and most of those were automatics. You may be thinking of the electric DeLorean, but I have seen an I review of one person who ordered one, so at least one person in an EV DMC12

[Dmcfan1981]

Where are they getting the binnacles for all these "new" cars? How long have we been waiting for binnacles? I don't get DMCH.

[sdg3205]

How long have we been waiting for binnacles?

Don't open that can of worms!

[thirdmanj]

Don't open that can of worms!

I hear stevedmc is working on a binnacle...

[DMC5180]

In a year or two you will be able make your own binnacle (structure) on your personal 3D desk top printer then have it covered in vinyl or leather of choice. This way you don't need to worry about trying to repair your huge cracks in the old one before having it recovered. When the plastic eventually melts form solar heat you just make another. Perhaps this is what DMCH is waiting for an economical ultra-low on demand part production. That beats having to purchase and warehouse a 1000 binnacles for the next decade and beyond. I guess all I'm saying is that the business case on this particular part is somewhat difficult to substantiate the ROI and upfront costs. Steven has had numerous prototypes( samples created) for durability testing we don't know how any of them have with stood the TEXAS SUN. The other thing you should know, is that the Remanufactured Dashes production run and tooling was a 6 figure undertaking. Just trying to keep things in perspective.

FYI: the current crop of relatively inexpensive 3D printers like MAKER-BOT are Junk. Someone in my company thought they could save money by getting 2 of these for prototyping small parts, neither of them worked for sh#!. Now the just collect dust. We had a great more so industrial type unit that needed some repairs and maintenance and the department Director opted not to have it fixed in leu of the cheap pieces of crap!

[louielouie2000]

Far as I know, like Nick said, none were built and sold to customers. Based off the publicity, we know one existed for marketing purposes and/or proof of concept.

What Nick meant was that there were no New Build cars titled as new, 21st century cars with brand new VIN numbers. All New Builds actually kept their original VINs and '81, '82, and '83 titled model years. We know for sure there was at least one delivered to a buyer, the one used on Jay Leno's Garage. I remember James Espey saying that not a single New Build buyer had ordered a manual transmission; quite the contrast to the majority of owners I know, who tend to turn their noses up at the automatic cars.


Where are they getting the binnacles for all these "new" cars? How long have we been waiting for binnacles? I don't get DMCH.

The New Build cars use recovered binnacles (note the contrasting stitching). If Just Dashes will fully rebuild and refurbish DeLorean binnacles for $500, I'm not sure why DMC Texas didn't ink some sort of deal with them a decade ago for their New Build/Remanufactured/Refurbished cars. :headscratch:

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