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Sunday, August 17 1997 Volume 02 : Number 271
In this issue:
DML: Pull straps, and the worst DeLoreans made
Re: DML: Engine & Transmission for sale
DML: Former Chapter 41 error clarified
DML: Seat covers early impressions
Re: DML: Legal Action boloney
DML: DeLorean handling experience
DML: DeLorean sports stripes
DML: Knut's views on recent legal actions
DML: WTB: ski rack adapter for luggage rack
DML: Re: Seat covers (was Seat covers early impressions)
DML: RE: WTB: ski rack adapter for luggage rack
DML: FYI DMC's for sale
Re: DML: ski rack adapter
Re: DML: FYI DMC's for sale
DML: delorean as a daily driver?
Re: DML: FYI DMC's for sale
Re: DML: Dealer's Window Invoice
DML: Delorean at an auction in Penn.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 1997 08:59:51 -0400
From: Mike Substelny
Subject: DML: Pull straps, and the worst DeLoreans made
> i've noticed that some De Loreans have a strap hanging from the
> door to close it but others seem to have a handle. Is this a model
> change or did the owner get rid of the pull strap?
The DeLorean was originally designed without straps on the doors. DMC
added the "buckle" strap as an afterthought on the early cars when they
realized that shorter people could not close the doors. They added the
dedicated (non-removable) straps later.
My early '81 has the removable straps. I leave the strap hanging from
the passenger side door, but I keep the driver side strap put away
because I am tall enough to reach the handle without it.
> And is it fair to say that early 81s and the late 83s are the worst
> Deloreans made?
It *might* be fair to say that they were the worst in initial quality,
but I
have also heard that some late '81s were the worst DeLoreans for initial
quality. In late '81 DMC increased its production rate, which meant they
added a lot of workers. As I understand it the mix of new workers with
experienced workers meant that quality varied wildly from one car to the
next.
But this was 16 years ago, and a lot of these problems have been
corrected by now. Remember, good parts and good mechanics have
been available to get these cars up to snuff all this time.
As I said before, it is possible to update any DeLorean to the same state
as any other. When shopping for one you must look at the features on
that particular car, not judge it based on when it was assembled. For
example, the early cars were notorious for faulty electrical systems and
bad alternators. By now a good number of these have been updated
with good Bosch relays and Motorola alternators.
- - Mike Substelny
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 1997 10:17:19 -0400
From: jsinger(AT)aaacars.com (Jack Singer)
Subject: Re: DML: Engine & Transmission for sale
My automatic works fine, but wouldn't mind having a spare, what are
you asking for it.
jsinger(AT)dmc12.com
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 97 05:21:00 PDT
From: Knut S Grimsrud
Subject: DML: Former Chapter 41 error clarified
I had posted some time back a notice of Chapter 41 dissolving
itself along with mention that it's treasury was being transferred
to the national organization as per the bylaws. This message was
posted and the treasury was sent before I received the notice from
the national organization informing that chapters had been
dissolved from their end, but were to keep their treasuries. Thanks
to Debbie Spurlin for clarifying this with me and refunding the
remains of the Chapter 41 treasury for use in supporting local
activities. I apologize for any confusion my original post may have
caused and hope this correction clears it up.
Knut Grimsrud
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 97 05:11:00 PDT
From: Knut S Grimsrud
Subject: DML: Seat covers early impressions
After some time of vacation, it's good to be back in the swing of
things. Before leaving, I had removed my seats and taken them to an
upholstery shop to have the new seat skins I bought from James put
on. I thought you might be interested in an early review -- a
complete writeup with pictures will be in the next DeLorean Club of
Oregon (DeCO) Newsletter.
The upholstery shop was impressed with the quality of the skins and
told me right off that they were done "right" and they would have
no problem installing them (aside from a little more labor than
usual due to the many contours in the seat). The color and grain
seem to match very well and the feel is good (my old seats had
dried up rather badly and felt like cardboard). The only drawback
with the skins appears to be a slightly looser fit than the
originals, but the shop inidcated that leather tends to shrink with
heat and that they will tighten up over the course of the summer
from normal use (they also said they could shrink them with
application of steam but that this often has adverse effects on the
leather itself). Total cost for installation was $192 (I removed
and installed the seats myself).
Overall I'm very pleased with the outcome and would not hesitate to
recommend the seat skins in all but the very most stringent cases.
It will be interesting to see how they shrink and I'll keep you
posted on how they perform over the next few months.
Knut Grimsrud
DeLorean Club of Oregon
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 1997 14:49:46 +0000
From: James Nichols
Subject: Re: DML: Legal Action boloney
If I were a member of DOA, I would be embarrased by the letter written
by their lawyer. That letter did much more harm to the "Association"
than anything posted on the mailing list. It only convinced me that I
did not belong in their private organization. If the few people that
were criticized cannot tolerate some minor criticism, they should not be
in charge of anything except ther own affairs.
This is still the United States and we still have the right of free
speech. Keep up the good work, James!
Jim #6884
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 97 05:30:00 PDT
From: Knut S Grimsrud
Subject: DML: DeLorean handling experience
There has been a little discussion on the Delroean handling
characteristics and I thought I would share my experiences as well.
As part of the All British Field Meet, the arrangers sponsor a
slalom course competition on the racetrack the last day. I always
enjoy participating in this competition as I can often compete with
cars that clearly outclass me in terms of power due to the DMC's
good handling characteristics.
The course is intentionally set up to limit speed and features
several hairpin turns separated by slalom sections. Due to the
short distances between hairpins and the modest power of the DMC, I
generally find that the entire course is run with wide open
throttle with hard braking immediately prior to each hairpin. Top
speed I achieve on the course is about red-line in 2nd gear (I
never get to third). I usually take each hairpin with a wide open
throttle having braked prior to entering it. A couse layout and
discussion appears in one of the back issues of my newsletter, but
I cann't recall right now whether it has been posted in my
back-issues section of the FAQ yet.
With Yokahama AVS Intermediates inflated to 28lbs front and 30lbs
rear (I know they are overinflated but I get good tire wear that
way), I have been unable to get my car's rear end to slide out. In
the hairpins, my front tires start skidding before the rear end
releases which reduces the turn radius and self-controls the skid.
This behavior is very eary to control, although I did have one
scare last year when coming out of one turn with the front wheels
skidding (and wheel turned a little too far) when the front wheels
suddenly gripped and sent me a little unexpectedy farther around
the turn than I wanted to be (and pretty close to the wall).
This year I will reduce tire inflation and see what effect it has
on the handling. Incidentally, the slalom race is run on the last
day of the ABFM (on the 31st og August this year) and I believe it
is free for ABFM regitered vehicles. It is a timed event with three
runs per car and there is only one car on the track at a time, so
you can take it at the speed you feel comfortable with. Highly
recommended.
Knut Grimsrud
DeLorean Club of Oregon
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 97 05:12:00 PDT
From: Knut S Grimsrud
Subject: DML: DeLorean sports stripes
There has been some discussion about the origins of the various
sports stripes (decals) for the DeLrorean. In the documents section
of the Delorean FAQ there is an image of the original dealer
options brochure detailing the two different DeLorean sports stripe
options as well as original dealer pricing and ordering
information.
Also in this brochure, there is reference to a ski-rack adapter for
the luggage rack. Does anyone have one or seen one in use?
Knut Grimsrud
DeLorean Club of Oregon
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 97 06:53:00 PDT
From: Knut S Grimsrud
Subject: DML: Knut's views on recent legal actions
It is unfortunate to see precious resources of DeLorean support
organizations go toward actions like the recent action by the DOA
against James. These same resources could be so much better used in
meeting the needs of the membership.
It is not clear to me how these legal actions (or other similar ones
conducted in the past) align with the organization's charter nor
whether these actions represent the interests of the membership. In
most corporations, I believe actions taken by the board which are not
in the interests of the shareholders is viewed very critically -- I do
not see why a properly run DeLorean organization should be exempt from
similar scrutiny.
Although by writing this I'm contributing to the problem, I'm
concerned that by mulling this over on the mailing list we are
expending our own resources on this unfruitful venture when we could
be better engaged in adressing DMC-related topics of more general
interest. I'm sure James will keep us posted on the developments and I
therefore call for order on the mailing list and a return to
DMC-related discussions.
These comments are my personal opinions.
Knut Grimsrud
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 97 10:36:22 -0000
From: James Espey
Subject: DML: WTB: ski rack adapter for luggage rack
I'd like to get a ski rack adapter for my luggage rack - anyone out there
got one?
James
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 97 11:05:43 -0000
From: James Espey
Subject: DML: Re: Seat covers (was Seat covers early impressions)
> The upholstery shop was impressed with the quality of the skins and
> told me right off that they were done "right" and they would have
> no problem installing them (aside from a little more labor than
> usual due to the many contours in the seat). The color and grain
> seem to match very well and the feel is good (my old seats had
One of the seven folks who ended up ordering seat covers through me - the
one person not from the 'net - bounced a check to me for the seats, and
it appears I am obligated to purchase the set in order to keep the prices
the same for the other six. If anyone is interested in a set of the seat
covers in black, gray or any other color, let me know via private email.
I can provide you with the names of the other purchasers for references.
James
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 1997 13:09:16 -0500
From: "Bixby, Web"
Subject: DML: RE: WTB: ski rack adapter for luggage rack
James,
I got a new one at the KAPAC warehouse last year. I bet there still
might be one around. I would ask Stephen Wynne (of DMC-Houston) and see
if he has come across any in the warehouse.
Unfortunately, I do wish to keep mine.
Web
> I'd like to get a ski rack adapter for my luggage rack - anyone out
> there got one?
>
> James
>
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 1997 15:22:46 -0400
From: "Marc Levy"
Subject: DML: FYI DMC's for sale
For Wanna be DMC owners:
Every few months or so I pick up a Hemmings.
July 97 Hemmings have 25-30 DMC's for sale
Prices range from $9800-$25000
Average price is in the $18K-20K
This one caught my eye: "DeLorean: 1981, gray interior, great condition,
new engine, $9800." Phone numbers in Ohio and Kentucky. Pretty cheap!!
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 1997 16:10:08 -0400 (EDT)
From: RPET123(AT)aol.com
Subject: Re: DML: ski rack adapter
I have, and do use the ski adapter. The soft case has the dmc logo
stamped
on it,but it appears to be a standard rack, but cant tell what brand
.although it is as wide as the luggage rack,it will only carry 2 sets of
skis
as any more than that and the doors wont open. If you cant find the one
you
want. i could photo mine and and you should be able to duplicate easy
Ray Petragallo
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 97 18:46:10 PDT
From: "Brandon S. Moody"
Subject: Re: DML: FYI DMC's for sale
> This one caught my eye: "DeLorean: 1981, gray interior, great condition,
> new engine, $9800." Phone numbers in Ohio and Kentucky. Pretty cheap!!
>
>
If you dont purchase this car, care to send me the Phone # ?
- -Brandon
bsmoody(AT)kih.net
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 1997 19:58:04 -0400 (EDT)
From: DKazmark(AT)aol.com
Subject: DML: delorean as a daily driver?
can a delorean serve as reliable daily driver?Thanks for any input on
this as
i'd like to hear answers from actual owners instead of some magazine
article.I'm 16 now and seriously looking at buying one.
thank you
Donald Kazmark
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 16 Aug 1997 02:54:45 -0400
From: Ben Ruset
Subject: Re: DML: FYI DMC's for sale
>This one caught my eye: "DeLorean: 1981, gray interior, great condition,
>new engine, $9800." Phone numbers in Ohio and Kentucky. Pretty cheap!!
One would wonder what was wrong with it. And why it would need a new
engine... =)
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 16 Aug 1997 12:45:36 -0400 (EDT)
From: JSteuben(AT)aol.com
Subject: Re: DML: Dealer's Window Invoice
Hi Joyce, Do you have access to a fax ? The best way to get the best
quality would be to have it copied and mailed to you. I don't have a
scanner
so I can't "E" mail a copy of the one I have. Best regards, Joe
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 1997 17:41:42 -0400 (EDT)
From: DeloreanGY(AT)aol.com
Subject: DML: Delorean at an auction in Penn.
There is going to be an auction of many very classic cars in Penn. One is
going to be an 82' Delorean in perfect condition. It has 496 miles on it.
If anyone wants pictures i can get someone to scan them for you. It is
an
automatic.
The auction will be held a the Historic Strasburg Inn. its in lancaster i
think.
Jason
------------------------------
End of dmcnews-digest V2 #271
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