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Wednesday, 27 March 1996 Volume 02 : Number 093
In this issue:
Misc. Ramblings
Re: Bricklins
Re: Reproduction parts
Re: dmcnews-digest V2 #92
So you want to get off the mailing list.....
Lo, there!
Brake Cable
Troy McClure drives a D!
The Simpsons
Re: dmcnews-digest V2 #92
ADMIN NOTE
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Mr. THX"
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 1996 09:01:22 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Misc. Ramblings
Hi all,
I'll stop lurking and post :)
My wife and I were all ready to get a De until we found roof
shingles on our rear lawn. It's not been a good winter here in NJ so
getting the roof done is a higher priority at this point. I'd like to get
the De on/before August so that I have SOME time to drive it in good NJ
weather before it gets colder.
Someone mentioned about 'DeLorean owners of the 90's". I suppose
that would be me. My dad had a 1962 Corevette so I have an appreciation
for classic cars. We're thinking about using the car once or twice a week
when we get it, and less in the winter. I'd be the half-breed who likes
to drive it, yet likes to keep it in good shape. With only 8500 or so
made I'd be a fool to abuse it.
One thing about Bricklins: they might be cool, but I've never
seen a Bricklin in a Simpson's episode. Good to see that Troy McClure
keeps his in good shape ;)
One question: for a soon-to-be DeLorean owner, what good would
being a member of the DOA be to me since I don't have the car yet? Should
I wait?
Someone was supposed to email me the list of common problems. I
never got it, so can someone send it to me? Thanks!
Mike
********************** Mike Gaines
* * * * * starman(AT)cnj.digex.net
* * * * * Personal/Star Wars Page at:
* ****** ** http://cnj.digex.net/~starman/
* * * * * New links to Marathon, Babylon 5
* * * * *
********************** Germans love David Hasselhoff
------------------------------
From: "Brian Henderlong"
Date: 25 Mar 1996 09:51:39 -0600
Subject: Re: Bricklins
Adam,
Thanks for the info on the Bricklin automobile; I for one have always been
curious about this car. I saw my first one at a car show (I thought it
looked like a late-eighties Nissan 300ZX that had been given the gullwing
treatment!), and I've only seen one other, a white one that was on the side
of the road with a "For Sale" sign in the window! I got my father to take a
picture of me standing next to it.
Be proud of your car, just as all the DeLorean owners on the list should be
proud of their cars. Cars like these are a rare and rewarding experience,
and I think it's important to share as much information about them as
possible. Thanks again!
Brian Henderlong
bhenderlong(AT)wusffm.wusf.usf.edu
------------------------------
From: Knut S Grimsrud
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 96 07:36:00 PST
Subject: Re: Reproduction parts
mail06754(AT)pop.net writes:
> I know there are some suspension bushings that are getting very
> difficult to find but what about other parts? Interior?
> Any suggestions apprecitated.
Remanufactured suspension bushings are now available. They were shown
at DeLorean Expo (Las Vegas) and I believe they were being produced by
DeLorean Motor Center (NOT the Houston outfit that used to be DeLorean
One, but the outfit in California). The bushings looked good and the
rubber seemed vulcanized well and adhered well to the metal bushing
sleeve.
In my experience with my car, I have had no problems getting any parts
(aside from the suspension bushings) with the exception of the
steering column lock assembly which is not an item that is easily
reproduced nor one that is in high demand. Others may have suggestions
for parts that they have had particularly difficulty finding, though.
An item that is becoming more of a concern in these older cars and is
fairly easily remanufactured (in my estimation) would be the front
crumple-tube assembly. This assembly has a tendency to corrode
terribly and is trashed in most front-end impacts. A value-added
design that used better corrosion-resistance treatment or better
materials might be attractive to those who find themselves with a
front end assembly that's history.
Knut Grimsrud
DOA Chapter 41
------------------------------
From: awolf(AT)pacific.telebyte.net
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 1996 10:36:53 -0800
Subject: Re: dmcnews-digest V2 #92
>Subject: Bricklins
>
>door sills for side impact. Two, it came with front disc brakes. (Okay,
not
>that impressive, but in 1974, front drums were pretty common for American
No comment...
>Cars) Three, energy absorbant bumpers which could absorb a 15mph impact.
I believe DeLorean wanted a minumum impact protection of around 15,
anyone?
>Along with the front bumper there is an impact zone that extends from the
>bumper to the hood. Four, a warning system of lights on the dash,
including
>seat belt buzzer and other fine implementations. And five, the lack of an
All very well, as does the DeLorean and every other car on the
road. Although I must say, along with the DeLorean's "Dummy Lights" I
appreciate the inclusion of Guages...Yes, guages...Something many cars seem
to lack, thus causing me to add them on m'self....I like knowing what my
car is and is about to do, not what it has done.
>ashtray or cigarette lighter. This one is sure to be a favorite with those
>nicotine fiend subscribers. The lack of ashtray and lighter were so "you
>don't go dropping a hot butt in your lap and crash our beautiful car into
a
hmmmm...I personally do not smoke, but I DO use my ashtray and
lighter quite often.
The ashtray provides a neat convenient little easy access storage
hole, and my lighter I use to gain access to the power circuit. It is a
convenient way to plug in my little battery powered charge pack, thus
making sure my car has optimal power when starting. Note, my jumper cables
in all my cars are designed so that they can be worked either through
direct leads, or lighter. If I ever came across a car that did not have
one...I would promptly buy one and install it.
>tree" (Bricklin sales brochure). The Bricklin came in an assortment of
bright
>colors, because what sticks out is less likely to get hit.
Actually, if you'll check, statistics show people seem to like
hitting RED cars. Yes, Bright.Red.Cars.
> The Bricklin came standard with all kinds of options: AC, front disc
>brakes, power steering, power brakes, precision German gauges (tach, oil
>pressure, speedometer, temp), tinted windshield, rear defrost, alloy
wheels,
>etc . . . (the list goes on forever).
Let's see....CHeck, Check, no Check (who wants power steering?),
CHeck, Check, Check, Check, Check...
Fully appointed leather interior, rustless exterior, beautiful
shine (the likes of which no car polish around car beat) excellent quality
engine designed by a consortium of great auto manufacturers, nearly
emissionless, designed by one of this countries greatest auto designers...I
could go on forever as well.
> The mechanics of the SV-1 are very simple. The chassis is modified
AMC
>Javelin.
Lotus Esprit.
>The engine is either a 360ci AMC V-8 with a 4bbl carb. with dual
>exhaust (1974, about 780 made) or a Ford 354ci V-8 with a 2bbl carb,
single
>exhaust with catalytic converter (1975, about 2000 made). The first year
60
CLose to the 82 Volvo, GLE. Standard Bosch K-Jetronic fuel
injection system, Lambda subsystems, catalytic converter and dual 1.5"
diameter exhaust..(did I mention the near emissionless standards???)
>manuals were made, and the second year all were autos. The automatic
>transmission used is a Chrysler 727 three speed automatic. This was
>Chrysler's heavy duty automatic that could handle high amounts of torque.
>This "sloppy 3-speed automatic" is the favorite of several AMC drag
racers.
Renault, and note that as I drive an automatic, I would MUCH rather
have a manual. From what I've heard here, the Manual will be my next, and
the bricklin will wait until I have the extra money to spend on the
novelty.
>The performance dropped from 74 to 75 because of the intake and exhaust
>restrictions, and in light of this, my particular Bricklin is a 74.
Ahhhhh, Isn't back pressure wonderful? That is why some D owners,
m'self included, have opted for larger freeflow exhaust systems...
> Now, onto the problems. Basically, Bricklins' body panels crack every
10
years
My GOD!...You sound as if it's common and expected at certain
intervals....Mark it on our callendar, do we?
>Bricklin parts are hard to get, but the AMC stuff can be bought at your
>average parts house. The doors used to be a problem, but now aren't for
me.
>Originally, the first Bricklins came with hydraulic doors powered by
>hydraulic fluid and convertible top motors. They took 12 seconds to open
the
>door. This was abandoned after the first 100 (approx) because they took
too
>long, and the hydraulic lines would break and leak fluid everywhere.
Oh, how wonderful...
Bricklin
>then went to compressed air to open the doors. The back bumper is a cast
iron
>air tank, and the doors open in about 1 second on 125 psi. The problem
I see...So what you have is a large air tank as a
bumper?...Really?...So your bumper must be protected at all costs, then,
ay?...I can imagine someone ramming it, puncturing it, schrapnel flying
everywhere, men, women and children lying dead in the streets, the
national guard surrounding your vehicle shouting warnings at you as you try
in vain to lift your now usless door by hand....
with
>this is that Bricklins have an air pump that compresses 5 psi in 5 minutes
to
>replenish the air supply, and it runs on engine vacuum. I have gotten
around
>that by purchasing an additional electric compressor that fills the system
>from 0 to 150psi in 4 minutes.
ok, so if I were to go out and purchase a bricklin, I would have to
run the engine for 2 hours before the doors would operate at peak?
I would have to purchase a compressor as you have to get around
this as well, is that correct?...Seems like an awfull lot of work...
>Other Bricklin problems are typical AMC Javelin problems, which aren't too
>severe.
uh huh
> The Bricklin was the brainchild of Malcolm Bricklin, son of a
>multimillionaire in the hardware business. He had nothing to do with
cocaine,
>like some other gullwing car producer I won't name.
I'm sure others here can recommend some good books for you so that
you may understand fully the events leading to the incident...i especially
like the part where he cons the mafia...BRILLIANT!...They didn't suspect a
thing...
No, Delorean had a dream of building his own sportscar, and he went
after that dream...it cost him a lot in the way, but he went after it, and,
I might add, produced a damned fine car...I admire him for that.
>The car went from concept
>to production in 1 year. Even the best engineers from Lotus could not
produce
>a semi-flawless car in 1 year. So, the Bricklin was lucky to be as nice as
it
I can imagine...Who in their right mind would put a car into
production so early with the knowledge and resources he had...The bricklin
was probably lucky it wasn't another "Unsafe at Any Speed"...
Let's see...I can't recall my dates, but I believe it was around
1975 or so when the DeLorean prototype was introduced to the public. Can
anyone confirm or correct this?
>was. The car changed constantly over the production to make it much
better,
>and supposedly, the last 7 cars (put together in 1975 after Bricklin went
>under) are flawless.
I beg your pardon...WHAT car is flawless...I challenge you to find
me a flawless car of any make, model, or year.
> As for the comparison between the Bricklin and the DeLorean, the
>Bricklin beats the DeLorean in all performance categories even though the
>Bricklin was built several years earlier. As for style (I know you'll love
>this) if I wanted to drive a shoe box, I would, but I like cuves.
Then I'm sure you probably LOVE the new line of EVERY SINGLE NEW
CAR ON THE MARKET...I simply cannot STAND the looks of some of these
cars...curves are ok, in moderation on the drawing board, but THIS IS
RIDICULOUS! Half the cars out there look like BUGS, and GOD KNOWS I HATE
BUGS. I was stuck behind a Camero the other day...I swear the body of it
made it look like somebody with a fat bum!
You have your likes and dislikes, I'll state it again as you don't
seem to get the idea...
I think the closest I would come to actually driving a car with
lots of curves without chucking my guts out would be either a Fiero or an
MX6...the EARLIER MX6's...The new ones make me sick.
Now I'll say it again. You like your car, I like mine...END OF
CONVERSATION.
I (and I'm sure others here as well) do not appreciate your waste
of my inbox space with your "Termerity" (quite frankly, I'm getting sick
of that word as well)
A.R. Wolf
Software Design Engineer
WIU / MoonShadow Inc.
Pacific NorthWest DeLorean Club
Owner: DeLorean - VIN#0005918
AND PROUD OF IT!
------------------------------
From: awolf(AT)pacific.telebyte.net
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 1996 09:41:18 -0800
Subject: So you want to get off the mailing list.....
Try reading at the bottom of the mailing list...it has instructions
on how to do so without bothing other readers..
Wolfie - hoisting his car up to have another crack
at that fuel filter...
------------------------------
From: DRAVEN
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 1996 14:22:37 EST
Subject: Lo, there!
Hi, there...I am one of the aformentioned lurkers...I guess I'll
speak up. For one, I agree, and I thank Mr. Espey(spell?) for
administering this list, I enjoy it very much...I am also
confident that it will help me when I decide to purchase my dream
car! Keep it up!
Secondly, I was just in florida for spring break, and I was
disapointed to not see ONE single D car on the road!! Sheesh!
I went to universal while I was there, and I looked around for some
cool delorean stuff in the gift shop, but all I found were cheesey
little 'matchbox-type' back to teh future cars, a few toys and the
model...I was also disappinted to see that they did not have the
delorean its self, but the damn time traveling train from BTTF
part 3...Has any one been on this ride, pretty cool..as soon as you
enter the ride, you are confronted with the rear end of the future
car, (at lest a resonable facimile therof)....
Finally, I have a friend in Ireland for the semester, and I
asked her to look for anthing that had the word delorean on it, buy it
and send it to me...I was vague however, and she asks for more info..
so then...could anyone tell me 1. where the plant was? 2.what she could
possible dig up? thanks alot, and Ill be sure to write more often...
Macleod
------------------------------
From: "Frederick Embden"
Date: 25 Mar 1996 15:58:15 GMT
Subject: Brake Cable
I am looking for a replacement part for my emergency brake cable / right side..
Has anyone replaced their emergency brake cables? If so do you have a part
number?
------------------------------
From: The Doctor
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 1996 17:52:47 CST
Subject: Troy McClure drives a D!
On last night's episode of "The Simpsons" [24MAR96 1900h], former
1970's movie idol Troy McClure was seen driving recklessly in a DMC-12
down the streets of Springfield. Although not an exact copy [witness the
dual exhausts and the barely-present center console], it was as close to
an animated D as you're likely to get these days.
To the Bricklin enthusiast who graced these pages earlier: Of course a
Bricklin with a 360 cid [c. 5.9L] V-8 will outdrag a DeLorean with its'
standard 2.85L V6 - the six is terminally outmatched in torque and
horsepower by the sizeably larger eight. Also, it's a lot easier to get a car
out quickly when you use a pre-existing chassis, especially one from an
automaker with excess capacity [AMC and its' foundering Javelin
platform], as compared to a purpose-built backbone chassis [the D]. And
let's recall the *real* reason why there's no ashtray in the SV-1: the
designers forgot to leave room for it when they designed the dashboard,
so it was marketed as a "safety" measure.
Ah well - what can you expect from a man who foisted the Subaru 360
[rated Not Acceptable by Consumer Reports!] on America before the SV-1,
and then followed up the SV-1 with rebadged Fiats [the X1/9-Bertone and
the Spider-Pininfarina] and the Yugo [a Yugoslavian Fiat 128]?
The Doctor
------------------------------
From: Bdofprey(AT)aol.com
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 1996 21:04:34 -0500
Subject: The Simpsons
Good ole Troy McClure was driving a Delorean in last sunday's episode of the
Simpsons.
------------------------------
From: Teddytyke(AT)aol.com
Date: Tue, 26 Mar 1996 20:44:58 -0500
Subject: Re: dmcnews-digest V2 #92
Hi,
I am new to this list and I am not a DeLorean owner. BUT I was a DeLorean
technician and have worked on many DeLoreans in my time. I worked in one if
the first dealerships in the Pittsburgh area, and I inherited the DeLoreans
when the original tech suddenly decided not to work on them anymore. Ok for
me, and I ended up liking the cars very much. I have been thru cleaning the
stainless to replacing the motor and not to mention many electrical problems.
I even have a DeLorean service manual around here somewhere.
Jus tossin my two cents....
John Marasco
Greensburg, PA
Teddytyke(AT)aol.com
------------------------------
From: James Espey
Date: Wed, 27 Mar 1996 05:09:21 -0700 (MST)
Subject: ADMIN NOTE
Well, when we last left our fearless list-owner, he was in the midst of
setting up a moderated "live" list in addition to the digest...the
subsequent sale of his house and VERY quick closing has put that on hold
for right now. As it stands now I will be moving this weekend -
hopefully, there will not be any interruption on the list.
Also, "Newsweek" magazine is looking for "your favorite mailing lists" -
I'd like to encourage EVERYONE (even the lurkers) to email
"cscope(AT)newsweek.com" and tell them that the DeLorean Mailing List is
your favorite - be nice to have some international publicity, huh?
I'll post another note Monday to bring every one up to date on the status
of things. Thanks for your patience!
James Espey
List Owner, DMC-News
------------------------------
End of dmcnews-digest V2 #93
****************************
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