De Lorean time machine pix

[prodigaltom]

I just bought a De Lorean which was converted to a Back to the Future movie replica. It has been used in official Universal events--most recently at the Back to the Future ride closure countdown at Universal Studios last month. It has also made many movie and TV appearances, including the upcoming straight-to-Cinemax Busty Cops 4 (soft porn). It was in the July '07 Car and Driver magazine. I put a link to the article at the end of this post.

A little background on how it was created:

About 6 years ago, Universal brought one of the two original screen-used cars to De Lorean Motor Center in Los Angeles and asked them to refurbish it and get it looking good because they planned to make a Back to the Future 4. Dan Botkin (service manager of DMC California) was in charge of the project and refurbished the car. Unfortunately, BTTF 4 never materialized for various reasons. Of course, Dan had taken many detailed pictures, measurements, etc. of the original car--and decided to build one for himself! Four years later, his baby was completed.

Here's a link to some videos Dan took of the car:

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.channel&ChannelID=734941 48

Here are some pix:













<li>'97 850Ci (2nd-to-last exported to US, 39k miles)
<li>'00 740iL
<li>'01 SLK230
<li>'03 H2
<li>'81 De Lorean DMC-12 (retrofitted for time travel)

[lezonebay]

<a href="http://mydrive.roadfly.com/photos/pic.php?u=56726KDZYN&i=8969"><img src="http://mydrive.roadfly.com/photos/pic.php?u=56726KDZYN&i=8969" border="0"></a>


1997 840CiA
1990 Z1
2002 Astro Van
2002 Lexus GS300
2007 Mazda CX9 AWD
1998 Yamaha Blaster+Breeze

[lezonebay]

I know where else would a car be ? I love it ! My teen years I wished that I could get one with a full time travel kit ! Now it is real and you have it ! I envy you ! Once I would love to see it and have a drive in it - up to 88miles per hour :=)

Keep it in great shape, this car is priceless because of the movie. Recently the BTF series was on HBO, I watched each episode although I have them on tape and dvd.
these are the memories that brings back those years from my teens... I was 15-16 when the 1st came out...<a href="http://mydrive.roadfly.com/photos/pic.php?u=56726KDZYN&i=8969"><img src="http://mydrive.roadfly.com/photos/pic.php?u=56726KDZYN&i=8969" border="0"></a>


1997 840CiA
1990 Z1
2002 Astro Van
2002 Lexus GS300
2007 Mazda CX9 AWD
1998 Yamaha Blaster+Breeze

[prodigaltom]

De Lorean's main headquarters is in Houston. However, they have welcomed about 7-8 dealerships under their umbrella (including the one in LA) so there are now several official De Lorean Motor Centers.

The car was shipped (enclosed carrier, of course) from LA to my home in AZ. Actually, I just got it THIS MORNING. Very exciting! Like you, I watched BTTF the other day. I plan on watching the other two movies again sometime this week.

We're about the same age. I was 14 in 1985 and BTTF was my favorite movie at the time. If you're ever in Arizona, drop me a line and I'll see what I can do about fulfilling your wishes. =)

Tom


<li>'97 850Ci (2nd-to-last exported to US, 39k miles)
<li>'00 740iL
<li>'01 SLK230
<li>'03 H2
<li>'81 De Lorean DMC-12 (retrofitted for time travel)

[ladislav]

(not quite the same neighborhood, he was a few doors down from jackie o and the like). ;-)

when the company went bankrupt there were several hundred new deloreans just north of somerville where route 202/206 splits from rte 287 at an old plymouth dealership. i used to pass it every day on the way to work, dreaming. too bad they had that challenged pvr v6.

[prodigaltom]

Wow, that's cool. You're one of the few people who has seen several hundred DeLoreans in one place. Yeah, the PRV V6 is a dog. However, a lot of owners are adding V8s and other upgrades, essentially recreating the car to conform to their vision of what it should have been. There's one guy who did a magnificent job putting in the Lotus V8. He calls it the DeLotus.

Tom
<li>'97 850Ci (2nd-to-last exported to US, 39k miles)
<li>'00 740iL
<li>'01 SLK230
<li>'03 H2
<li>'81 De Lorean DMC-12 (retrofitted for time travel)

[PumpedTSI]

Jeez........why use a Lotus V8 when an LS1 with 6 speed makes more HP, is more readily available, more parts support, more reliable and cheaper?? To each his own I guess.....nice install tho.

The PRV V6 did ok in the Renault 30 and similar platforms since it was designed for those but is lethargic in the DMC. I believe GM stiffed him on their original promise to provide engines and the PRV was what he ended up with.........

I had applied for a job at the factory when I was an apprentice in 81-82 and got a letter back (dont call us, we'll call you) that was signed by John Z........still have it in the house someplace. Apparently John Z signed all the factory correspondence personally.......92 Dinan Twin Turbo Stage III

[Faisal_in_Laurel]

lotus engine I suppose.<html>
<body>
<p><a href="http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/860Spec.pdf">
<img border="0" src="http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/DiamondBlack.JPG" width="283" height="140"></a><img border="0" src="http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/montero.jpg" width="217" height="140"><img border="0" src="http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/bluejag.jpg" width="187" height="140"><img border="0" src="http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/mchick.jpg" height="140">
</body>
</html>

[prodigaltom]

Giorgetto Giugiaro who designed the Lotus Esprit and the De Lorean DMC-12. The guy is a legend, even winning Car Designer of the Century in 1999. Thus, to me it seems fitting to put the Lotus V8 in there, if not the most practical choice.

Tom
<li>'97 850Ci (2nd-to-last exported to US, 39k miles)
<li>'00 740iL
<li>'01 SLK230
<li>'03 H2
<li>'81 De Lorean DMC-12 (retrofitted for time travel)

[prodigaltom]

Universal Studios on August 2nd, 2007 for the Back to the Future ride countdown event.
<li>'97 850Ci (2nd-to-last exported to US, 39k miles)
<li>'00 740iL
<li>'01 SLK230
<li>'03 H2
<li>'81 De Lorean DMC-12 (retrofitted for time travel)

[PumpedTSI]

ahhh..........that makes more sense....I guess the Lotus V8 is a hybrid of the Rover/Buick 3.5???92 Dinan Twin Turbo Stage III

[ladislav]

...ppppPeugeot 604. It was a dog and prone to problems.

[Faisal_in_Laurel]

<html>
<body>
<p><a href="http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/860Spec.pdf">
<img border="0" src="http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/DiamondBlack.JPG" width="283" height="140"></a><img border="0" src="http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/montero.jpg" width="217" height="140"><img border="0" src="http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/bluejag.jpg" width="187" height="140"><img border="0" src="http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/mchick.jpg" height="140">
</body>
</html>

[prodigaltom]

That is HOT. Do you know whose car that is?

Tom
<li>'97 850Ci (2nd-to-last exported to US, 39k miles)
<li>'00 740iL
<li>'01 SLK230
<li>'03 H2
<li>'81 De Lorean DMC-12 (retrofitted for time travel)

[Faisal_in_Laurel]

Steve's Highly modified Delorean<html>
<body>
<p><a href="http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/860Spec.pdf">
<img border="0" src="http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/DiamondBlack.JPG" width="283" height="140"></a><img border="0" src="http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/montero.jpg" width="217" height="140"><img border="0" src="http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/bluejag.jpg" width="187" height="140"><img border="0" src="http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/mchick.jpg" height="140">
</body>
</html>

[prodigaltom]

Thanks!
<li>'97 850Ci (2nd-to-last exported to US, 39k miles)
<li>'00 740iL
<li>'01 SLK230
<li>'03 H2
<li>'81 De Lorean DMC-12 (retrofitted for time travel)

[alan]

...too!

I recently bought a 1981 DeLorean with under 5k original miles and have been enjoying it. The interior is in perfect condition (as perfect as a 26 year old car can be) as is the exterior and engine. So far the only things I need to do are replace the angle drive and the fuel sending unit to have everything in 100% operating order.

I'd love to hear about any maintenance you undertake yourself or any tips you have about such things with it.

I did buy a "Joe Cool" fan relay device which I found was highly recommended due to issues with the cooling fans both kicking on at the same time and causing electrical problems with the car. Once I installed it I noticed I wasn't getting the 'fan fail' light anymore nor was I have issues with the fans sucking away too much power from other electrical components by both kicking on at the same time.


--Alan

[prodigaltom]

Congrats! Welcome to the club, Alan! Now, we can have a few beers and share our sob stories about the legendary problems with our AC and fuel systems. I was cleaning spark plugs last night, testing the cold start valve, blowing bad gas out of the system, etc. Runs like a top right now, but if I turn on the AC, the engine floods with gas and stalls. Also, one of my cooling fans won't turn on now! Wish I had figured out the AC thing sooner. I stalled at 2:30 AM the other day while testing it out. I took it out so late so I wouldn't get any attention. People sit in your blind spot and take pix, they block you in for pix, they try to get you to stop, they follow you all the way home, etc. However, it worked to my advantage when I stalled out. Two groups of teenagers were following me and helped me push my car back to my house at 3 AM!

30-year-old mechanical fuel injection technology sucks, but I'll eventually get things sorted out with A LOT of help from the AZ DeLorean Club (an AWESOME bunch of guys, BTW).

Where are you? Did you just buy the D I saw on Craigslist for $18,500?

Tom
<li>'97 850Ci (2nd-to-last exported to US, 39k miles)
<li>'00 740iL
<li>'01 SLK230
<li>'03 H2
<li>'81 De Lorean DMC-12 (retrofitted for time travel)

[alan]

...runs like a champ, AC working great in Texas heat and all.

So, I'm in Texas....bought it about 3 months ago or so and had it shipped down from Oregon. I just haven't had a free weekend to tackle the couple of little things I need to do, but on the other hand I want to do it myself rather than taking it down to the DeLorean place in Houston. (It is nice to know they are only 80 miles away though.)

Here's a couple of quick pics of mine:

<img src="http://m1.roadfly.com/files/photos/c74d97b01eae257L.jpg" border="0" width="500" alt="DeLorean driver's side door up" />

<img src="http://m1.roadfly.com/files/photos/37693cfc748049eL.jpg" border="0" width="500" alt="DeLorean engine" />

<img src="http://m1.roadfly.com/files/photos/8e296a067a37563L.jpg" border="0" width="500" alt="DeLorean interior" />

--Alan

[prodigaltom]

Man, it looks to be in PERFECT shape. Congratulations! You should eventually replace the cooling tank with a metal one. The plastic one is notorious for degrading. However, yours looks to be in great condition. After all, you only have 5k miles on the car. It really looks brand new. I've seen a lot of Ds with low miles that look like CRAP inside and outside of the hood.

Here in AZ, we pretty much have to figure everything out ourselves. There are no places that know anything about DeLoreans in our state. Believe it or not, our AZ DeLorean club actually pays to fly the premier DeLorean gurus here once or twice a year to fix anything that we can't. One of our members is almost finished with his $120,000 2100 square-foot custom home garage with lift. Once that's done, we won't have to rent lift time.

You're in Texas so you're lucky to have DMC Houston at your disposal. I wouldn't give them my credit card if I were you, though. Evidently, lots of people have been burned with credit card fraud. Check the link below.

Tom
<li>'97 850Ci (2nd-to-last exported to US, 39k miles)
<li>'00 740iL
<li>'01 SLK230
<li>'03 H2
<li>'81 De Lorean DMC-12 (retrofitted for time travel)