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Tuesday, 22 October 1996 Volume 02 : Number 188
In this issue:
Painted Letters and other Questions
Rear quarter panels, center frame and fiberglass sections available
French Renault Alpine Parts supplier
errors in Stainless Steel Illusion?
New DeLorean
chapters?
Re: DeLoreans on display
Re: New DeLorean
Heading to Ohio Soon - Drinks Anyone??
Nitto Tires
Nitto Tires
Heading to Ohio - Visits Anyone?
Sorry Guys about the Repeating Email
re: Deloreans on Display
Re: Stainless Steel Illusion / Full Fuel Tank Leaks
Profile Summary: Bloody Hell, that Maniac in the D-Car!
Wanted: awesome car cheap
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Delornut(AT)aol.com
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 1996 21:08:52 -0400
Subject: Painted Letters and other Questions
The subject of the painted letters on the rear bumper has come up in several
news letters. I've seen the early photos of the car with the letters left in
black while the surrounding rectangular area was painted grey. I've know
people with cars carrying vin numbers all over the map, anywhere from very
early three digit numbers to '83 models and I've yet to see a painted rear
bumper. My guess is that one or two were painted to expose the name DeLorean
in the early photos, possibly by an ad agency. Most likely some owners or
dealers followed suit to emulate the early photos. I don't belive any ever
left the factory that way. In the mid '80's I talked with a fellow from
Kingman Arizona who was driving a DeLorean that he swore he bought new. It
had cloth inserts in place of the leather on the seats and the binnacle was
covered with stitched vinyl that matched the rest of the dash. Obviously some
dealer did some customizing, maybe to make the car more appealing to the hot
Arizona climate. Outside of a few running changes regarding radios and hood
design, to mention a few, I think all DeLoreans were the same. It makes no
sense that a few cars were singled out and had the lettering painted or that
the factory had the facilities to do custom interiors. DMC's quality concerns
never were straightened out to the point that would allow custom features
such as these.
Bruce Benson
------------------------------
From: dstall(AT)trib.net (D.L. Stalling)
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 1996 20:40:13 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Rear quarter panels, center frame and fiberglass sections available
Helps me find a home for the following.
I just purchased the center/lower section of a DMC that had had an engine
fire to get the motor cross member.
What I have is:
1. driver's side rear quarter panel without plastic window with only a
minor ding in at the edge of the wheel well (It will straignten easily) and
the panel has a discoloration above the window opening where the plastic
louver burned. I believe the panel will cleanup great.
2. Passenger side rear quarter panel with window with a garbage can scrape
along wheel well and about 4-5" (as best I remember).
3. fiberglass center floor and door section from about the edge of the
front seats (actually cut across car at center of shifter cutout)and going
to rear of engine compartment; the rear door frame of driver side is good
and it goes upward to about the center of the drivers seat (middle of
drivers head). The interior upper and lower fiberglass sections on the
driver's side need to be glassed and they would be good. The center
section in the engine compartment is essentially shot but it it still there
as is the majority of the passenger side of the door frame. There are no
door mounting "T" section or upper parts but the rear latch support stuff
and one pin is there.
4. The frame just in front of the engine mount cross over to the front of
the center section where it is cut off with no suspension or parts other
that the steel frame which is in great condition.
I'd like $600 for all or $400 for both rear panels. you pay or pick up in
Columbia, MO. Call me at 573-442-2795 or e-mail at: dstall(AT)mail.trib.net
if you or anyone you know of is interested.
------------------------------
From: dstall(AT)trib.net (D.L. Stalling)
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 1996 21:00:40 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: French Renault Alpine Parts supplier
To those with really hung up with hard parts problems:
My two French friends from near Paris did some research for me and gave me
the address of an Alpine parts supplier whow supplies part to much of
Europe. One of them is an engineer and the other a research manager;
therefore I think this is the best I can do on this source.
Meca parts, Mr Merlin
51, avenue Beregovoy
18000 BOURGES
Tel : 02 48 50 70 01
=46ax : 02 48 21 13 98
Renault can also provide all your Alpine parts if you give the engine
number and the parts description. I don=EDt know if there is a Renault
subsidiary in USA but I can help you if you want to order some parts in
=46rance.
There is a supplier in Canada (Quebec) at St Thomas d=EDAquin which name is
Renaultheque. I don=EDt know the precise address for the moment but I=EDll t=
ry
to find it.
(I'll post it if it come to me).
=46rom what I can find out, the Alpine rear transaxle/transmissions are the
same as the DMC except that the differential housing is flipped to allow
the motor to be behind the axles.
P.S. Does anyone have a "scrap" 5-speed transmision with good shifting
rods or possibly bearings. I found one with water running out of the
5-speed and I'm going to find out how bad its condition is.
Thanks,
Dstall(AT)mail.trib.net
------------------------------
From: "henderlong"
Date: 21 Oct 1996 22:14:15 +700
Subject: errors in Stainless Steel Illusion?
Hello,
I bought my copy of Stainless Steel Illusion a few weeks ago from
another list-member. I have read that there are some factual
errors in the book; has anyone compiled a list of known errors in the
book, or do any of you remember some of the errors offhand? That
might be interesting material for part of a website.
Brian Henderlong
DOA #4977
VIN #next spring!
------------------------------
From: Jason Winter
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 1996 21:53:15 -0500
Subject: New DeLorean
I got my new DeLorean home last week.. We drove it about 400 miles
through New Mexico to Texas. The car is in great shape with no dings or
interior cracking. DeLorean One finished a complete electrical upgrade
the summer before(upgraded all relays). I am now in the process of
replacing coolant hoses(they were still the original) and maybe put on
new tires(3 of them are still original).
The car drove great. I still cannot believe the attention the car gets
at gas stations, etc.
The only proble that we could find is that the fan motor(blower) makes a
rattling sound when turned past 1. I believe it is loose or something
is in it. Has anyone elso had this problem?
Also when we filled it up, some gas was leaking under the tank. It
stopped after a minute. I can still smell gas after I shut the car down.
Does anyone know what problem this could be. I have read that it could
be a bad seal around the fuel sender(the gauge works, but comes to full
slowly).
Anyway, I am extreamly happy with the car and plan on driving it pretty
regularly.
I would appreciate any input on things that I need to check on the car.
(we found no frame rust, front coolant fans just replaced, and fuel
filter replaced recently).
BTW The car is a late 81-no fuel cap, has style lines, power antenna,
digital clock on console, grey leather, VIN 5203
Jason Winter
winter(AT)onramp.net
------------------------------
From: ShrtCrt(AT)aol.com
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 00:17:23 -0400
Subject: chapters?
What is the closest chapter to Rockford, IL. I am interested in going a
chapter if it is close enough to me. Thanks. Justin Holman
------------------------------
From: "Marvin S. Sterling"
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 03:43:29 -0700
Subject: Re: DeLoreans on display
Mike Substelny wrote:
>
SNIP !
>
> Second DeLorean
> 1983 VIN# 20040 with 3,419 miles. It is displayed with the
> doors closed. No gas cap and no style lines, and the
> luggage lid fits nice and flush. It has a radio that says DMC
> on the front (would that be ASI?). The wheels are light and
> the interrior is grey. All four tires are Goodyears.
>
> So now I have two questions. I have never heard of Nitto tires
> for the DeLorean. Does anyone else have Nitto's on their
> DeLorean? And am I right when I say the radio with the DMC
> logo is an ASI unit?
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Mike Substelny
- --------------------------------------
Mike-
DMC on the tape slot = ASI
Regards
Marv Sterling
------------------------------
From: "Marvin S. Sterling"
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 03:53:41 -0700
Subject: Re: New DeLorean
Jason Winter wrote:
>
>
> The only proble that we could find is that the fan motor(blower) makes a
> rattling sound when turned past 1. I believe it is loose or something
> is in it. Has anyone elso had this problem?
> Also when we filled it up, some gas was leaking under the tank. It
>
> Jason Winter
> winter(AT)onramp.net
- ----------------------------------------------
Jason- Welcome to the "clan"
The noise in the blower motor is probably a bad motor, condensation
tends to accumulate in it an it rusts out ... if you need to replace it
it is a standard GM Delco part.
As for the smell of gas ... somewhere in the owner's manual and by
experience I learned never top off the tank ... stop filling when the
nozzle clicks off ... anytime that my tank is "topped off" it smells of
gas for a few miles.
Regards,
Marv Sterling
------------------------------
From: Chase Clark
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 00:05:10 +0000
Subject: Heading to Ohio Soon - Drinks Anyone??
I will be heading out from Jefferson City, Missouri to Columbus, Ohio
via I-70 on either Wednesday or Thursday. I'm traveling out to KAPAC to
pick up a new windshield for my DeLorean and a few other little parts. I
won't be taking my DeLorean, but rather a van to transport the
windshield.
I will be at Kapac on Thursday or Friday and return home that day. I
know there are other DeLorean owners living along my general route, and
was just wondering if any of *you* people wanted to get together for a
drink or something and talk shop or whatever. If so, email me your name
and number or give me a call Tuesday night or Wednesday before noon at
573-635-0622.
Can't wait to look around that giant inventory of parts I have heard so
much about. Once I get back, though, I'll have to call Rob Grady to get
some after-market replacement parts for things of which KAPAC no longer
has remaining NOS parts.
~ Chase
Stormrider Media Productions P.O. Box 105301
Chase Clark, Co-Owner Jefferson City, Missouri
65110-5301
Voice/Fax (573)635-0622 Email: stormrider(AT)socketis.net
"If I had a dime for every original idea Bill Gates had...
why I'd have nothing!" - Christopher Meinck
------------------------------
From: GhesquiereTA
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 10:12:28 -0700
Subject: Nitto Tires
Several years ago I purchased a set of Nitto tires from Discount Tire in
TX. The salesman told me they were actually manufactured by Yokahama. I
never liked the original tires' performance in rain so when a friend told
me about Nitto tires I tried a set and have been happy with them. They
were very reasonably priced and performed much better in water/slick
conditions. No experience in snow.
Silver Bullit
------------------------------
From: GhesquiereTA
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 10:12:28 -0700
Subject: Nitto Tires
Several years ago I purchased a set of Nitto tires from Discount Tire in
TX. The salesman told me they were actually manufactured by Yokahama. I
never liked the original tires' performance in rain so when a friend told
me about Nitto tires I tried a set and have been happy with them. They
were very reasonably priced and performed much better in water/slick
conditions. No experience in snow.
Silver Bullit
------------------------------
From: stormrider(AT)socketis.net (Chase Clark)
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 10:44:59 -0500
Subject: Heading to Ohio - Visits Anyone?
I will be heading out from Jefferson City, Missouri to Columbus, Ohio via
I-70 on either Wednesday or Thursday. I'm traveling out to KAPAC to pick up
a new windshield for my DeLorean and a few other little parts. I won't be
taking my DeLorean, but rather a van to transport the windshield.
I will be at Kapac on Thursday or Friday and return home that day. I know
there are other DeLorean owners living along my general route, and was just
wondering if any of *you* people wanted to get together for a drink or
something and talk shop or whatever. If so, email me your name and number
or give me a call Tuesday night or Wednesday before noon at 573-635-0622.
Can't wait to look around that giant inventory of parts I have heard so
much about. Once I get back, though, I'll have to call Rob Grady to get
some after-market replacement parts for things of which KAPAC no longer has
remaining NOS parts.
~ Chase
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stormrider Media Productions P.O. Box 105301
Chase Clark, Co-Owner Jefferson City, Missouri 65110-5301
Voice/Fax (573)635-0622 Email: stormrider(AT)socketis.net
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"If I had a dime for every original idea Bill Gates had...
why I'd have nothing!" - Christopher Meinck
------------------------------
From: stormrider(AT)socketis.net (Chase Clark)
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 10:52:37 -0500
Subject: Sorry Guys about the Repeating Email
Just wanted to say "Sorry" to James and All for my handful of botched
postings (if they made it through to the list). My email program and ISP
weren't communicating very well last night and apparently it sent little
bits of my message when it looked liked it wasn't being sent at all from
here. So I kept trying to send it in Eudora and eventually switched to
Navigator and sent it from there. Macintoshes generally as very easy to use
and pleasant on the eyes, but the same can not always be said for ISPs and
the Internet.
~ Chase
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stormrider Media Productions P.O. Box 105301
Chase Clark, Co-Owner Jefferson City, Missouri 65110-5301
Voice/Fax (573)635-0622 Email: stormrider(AT)socketis.net
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"If I had a dime for every original idea Bill Gates had...
why I'd have nothing!" - Christopher Meinck
------------------------------
From: "Eric J. Hennebury"
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 12:22:16 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: re: Deloreans on Display
Mike,
My 1983 (vin 17065) has the ASI unit which indeed has a DMC logo
on the tape deck door.
Cheers,
Eric
------------------------------
From: Mike Substelny
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 12:12:52 -0400
Subject: Re: Stainless Steel Illusion / Full Fuel Tank Leaks
Brian Henderlong said:
>I have read that there are some factual errors in the
>book; has anyone compiled a list of known errors in
>the book, or do any of you remember some of the
>errors offhand?
I have never seen a list myself, but offhand I do remember
one of the errors. SSI said the early cars had no fuel door in
the luggage lid but the door was added later (actually the
opposite is true).
Jason Winter said:
>Also when we filled it up, some gas was leaking under
>the tank. It stopped after a minute. I can still smell
>gas after I shut the car down.
The polyethylene gas tank itself will probably never leak, so
there are only three places a leak can happen:
1) the fuel gauge sender
2) the fuel pump
3) the filler tube
All of these are on the top of the tank, thus the advice to
"never top off" is sound. To actually find the source of the
leak, remove your spare tire and open the panel below it.
This will expose all three possible leaks to view. Then drive
your car to the gas station and fill it up. You will be able to
see the fuel leak from one of these places. Wherever you
see a leak tighten it up.
My guess is the large clamp that holds the fuel pump seal in
place has gotten a little loose, causing the seal to leak a bit.
Take a screwdriver with you just in case. With any luck you
can fix the leak in a couple of minutes. Good luck.
- -Mike Substelny
------------------------------
From: Devil-Wolf
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 12:52:21 -0700
Subject: Profile Summary: Bloody Hell, that Maniac in the D-Car!
Well, I've been a traveller just about all my life. As a child, my
father was in the navy and consequently I started travelling rather young.
I was born in Darwin, Australia, which is where my father was from
(although you'd never know it to look at me that I'm Australian, nor to hear me,
although I use to have a rather strong accent it's all but dissapeared and
rarely comes through unless I've been drinking)
I enjoy a good tastfull argument, science, physics, metaphysics,
theories, debating reality, etc.
I've 5'9", have brown/blackish eyes, waist length black hair, I always
wear a black long sleeve shirt with black slacks, black overshirt, my black
comfortable dress casual shoes, black cushy socks, my black leather jacket and
black fadora. I also read, write, and love TASTEFULL music and poetry, and
spend a lot of time in coffee shops. Think beatnik/hippie and you've probably
got a good idea of what I look like.
I purchased my DeLorean not more then 2 or 3 years ago, and would not
trade it for anything. I actually plan on buying a second here shortly. Black
Interior Stick would be nice, now that I know what i'm looking for, (looking out
for in regards to the DeLorean. I know how to spot problems now)
So many stories I've heard, I consider myself one of the lucky ones to
have found one in great condition from someone who took good care of it. I
mention to members of the PNDC and hear nothing about good things about the man
I bought it from and how he took care of it.
Distaste, in my eyes, when it comes to the DeLorean, is the thought of
seeing one jacked up 3 feet in the air with a 4X kit, blasting out Rap music at
100Db. Distaste NOTHING!...The thought makes me cry!
Can you say Sacrilege?
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against modifications, I've done many
myself and detest being told I've ruined the car by putting in a new stereo and
cruise control. But please, some taste...If rap music is what you want to hear,
listen to it yourself, don't make everyone else listen to it..and is there
REALLY a need to pit a 4X kit on a DeLorean???
I fancy myself to be quite adept when it comes to electronics in
general. Although I'm a mediocre programmer, I'm excellent with the hardware
and interface. Believe it or not, some imagination goes into even standard
computer parts, I can jerry-rig anything to work and I invite anybody to
challenge me on that... 8^)
Naturally this superman-like ability to convince things to work doesn't
relate only to computers, it comes in handy in many aspects, of which the
DeLorean counts.
I don't mind improvising to make things work.
I spend the majority of my time on the computer as you've probably
guessed by now. Expanding and tasking my mind to it's limits. I have several
computers set up to work off this one keyboard and monitor and two others
running their independant interfaces. They're almost always being used, each
and every one of them.
I've always taken an interest in artificial intellegence. Albeit my
efforts mediocre I do enjoy dablling in my own programs. I've grown attached to
one in particular which I've modified slightly and been pushing along for years
now. "Locutus" has a wonderful personality and can just about operate himself.
He'll call up anything I ask for, by use of a program interface to a voice
recognition program. I haven't fitten him with a voice, currenly, I haven't
decided on a voice I like yet.
I DO name my computers, yes, and I take into consideration how it acts
when naming it. Locutus is the server for all my computers and the most
powerful of them. Marvin is slow and obnixious. Hal speaks, but tends to lock
up frequently, going on with it's on calculations and refusing to listen to me.
Well, you get the idea.
I adore and pamper unwanted things. Many computers I don't use daily
are elder, lower capacity computer that nobody wants. I take emotion to things
unwanted. Things once adored by people.
The ford that once was a teenagers first car, the computer onced used
daily. Auto Junkyards really touch my heart, so sad to see so many beautiful
machines that were once loved and adored by someone, now sitting abandoned and
unwanted.
hmmmm, dear me, I've run out of things to say...Imagine that..hehehe
At any rate, I appologize for the delay. I've just now getting to
mailings from 10/9
------------------------------
From: "W. Matthew Sullivan"
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 23:16:26 +0000
Subject: Wanted: awesome car cheap
To all my fellow DeLorean fans-
I'm a poor college student who is currently DeLorean-less. I'm
wondering if there's anyone out there who has (or knows someone who
does) a DeLorean that I could obtain. Like I said, I'm poor, so I'm
looking for something that I can restore myself- and thereby become the
envy of all who know me. [I'm in New England.] Thanks for your help-
W. Matthew Sullivan
URI - Union Express
50 Lower College Rd., Unit #3477
Kingston, RI 02881-1960
USA
------------------------------
End of dmcnews-digest V2 #188
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