DeLorean Tooling Presses in the Ocean

[virtualchuck]

I don't know if anyone has ever posted this link here before, but after reading Nick Sutton's book, I got to thinking about the stuff that was dumped in the ocean. Well it seems that I'm not the only one interested in what happened to them:

http://www.seanlynchinfo.com/DeLoreanProgressReport.htm

Chuck

[DMCMW Dave]

I don't know if anyone has ever posted this link here before, but after reading Nick Sutton's book, I got to thinking about the stuff that was dumped in the ocean. Well it seems that I'm not the only one interested in what happened to them:

Chuck

http://www.dmcnews.com/Resource/bodydies/bodydies.html

See if any of the photos look a bit familiar. . . (in the Sutton Book)

[Josh]

Cool links! I need to read Nicks book. However I am too busy working on my car :P

Whats the deal with the "next" page on the link in the OP? Looks like someone is re-creating panels?

[MML]

Cool links! I need to read Nicks book. However I am too busy working on my car :P

Whats the deal with the "next" page on the link in the OP? Looks like someone is re-creating panels?


Those were handmade for an art project, they were on display in Belfast a couple of years ago.

Here are the pics I took:

http://i.imgur.com/bYl5tAe.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3HliD4Q.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/4SneNGO.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/7Rq9jrR.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fDjClf5.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6mBpa14.jpg

[dmcjohn]

More info on the art project, and how the panels were recreated here:

http://delorean.ie/vintage_works.html

http://delorean.ie/images/vintageworks/visit/Image012.jpg

[virtualchuck]

Very cool follow-up links everyone, thanks!

Chuck

[silverhair01]

has there ever been an attempt to reproduce the presses in order to make new panels or was it just too cost prohibitive?

[David T]

has there ever been an attempt to reproduce the presses in order to make new panels or was it just too cost prohibitive?

The tooling will never be recreated again. Too costly, the cost to use the presses to make the parts, (press time) is too costly, a minimum production run would require WAY too many panels and you would inventory them forever. There are enough panels available at a low enough price that it is not necessary to make new ones. Old ones can be repaired and if necessary you can hand make them.
David Teitelbaum

[Josh]

Thanks for the pictures Martin! They look much rougher up close, haha.

As for recreating panels like Dave said it is not worth it. With the exception of the LFF, all the panels are fairly inexpensive. Even for the LFF the cost of tooling and manufacturing far outweighs the market for the new panels, it has been pursued.

[ALEXAKOS]

Wow!
How much for that passenger door!
Looks better than mine.:shhh:

[JohnZ]

What an inglorious end for such a piece of history! They should be showed in a museum and instead they're on a boat.

It's like the whole dream has been cremated and its remains have been sprinkled into the sea!

:D

[louielouie2000]

I maintain that there is no dire shortage of left front fenders. DeLorean owners hoard those things... I know several owners who have multiple LFF's stashed. If anyone ever needs one (most damaged panels can be repaired, anyway), they'll be able to procure one without too much of a search.

Those mock-up panels turned out pretty cool, by the way. They kind of look like a hybrid of the Prototype cars panels & production DMC-12 panels.

[Farrar]

I maintain that there is no dire shortage of left front fenders. DeLorean owners hoard those things... I know several owners who have multiple LFF's stashed. If anyone ever needs one (most damaged panels can be repaired, anyway), they'll be able to procure one without too much of a search.

This rings true to me. However, perceived scarcity, whether true or false, wouldn't stop those hoarders from demanding thousands of dollars for a left front fender.

[DMCMW Dave]

This rings true to me. However, perceived scarcity, whether true or false, wouldn't stop those hoarders from demanding thousands of dollars for a left front fender.

Sure it does. The minute someone wants $5000 for a LF fender, someone else will come along with one for less. Basic economics.

"Demanding" is one thing, "Getting" is another.