Framing John Delorean

[Warren Seale]

I just watch this on Netflix.  The thing that stands out in my mind is how his kids were affected when his life went down the toilet.  He lived in a 1 bedroom apartment in Morristown NJ when he died.  Apparently broke.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIa1gn9wVNo

[Wallington]

I thought it wasn't bad, even if had no interest in cars. The interesting and sad part was that no matter how broke he was, he always expected people would prop up his next big idea with money. It was always the next project that was going to be the success and it never really came.

[FormTA]

I haven't seen it yet but I was obsessed with him, his life and the story of his cars. I have always bought a piece of a delorean if one pops up ( I have bumpers, a grill and owners manual in the attic of my shop) I was so close to purchasing one many years ago but the guy backed out. Anyway I will have to watch this. Thanks for the info.

[kentucky yeti]

I was so close to purchasing one many years ago but the guy backed out. Anyway I will have to watch this. Thanks for the info.

Be glad.  I picked one up for a great deal    At least I thought it was until I found out about all of the electrical problems, overheating, underpowered engine, non-operational windows, 450 lb doors that you can't open from inside when the assist cylinder fails  and deciding what to do for repairs when someone backs into your thin stainless quarter.  Otherwise, it looked great.  It was a money thing for DeLorean, so he moved the assembly to a less-than-ideal location, and cut costs everywhere hoping to get them selling first, and improve them later.  Unfortunately, it didn't happen.  Sad thing is- deep down I still want another one.  Many parts are now available.

[stros]

Funny the DeLorean was the other car I was considering when I purchased my T/A.  Looks like that was a good decision

[Warren Seale]

I haven't seen it yet but I was obsessed with him, his life and the story of his cars. I have always bought a piece of a delorean if one pops up ( I have bumpers, a grill and owners manual in the attic of my shop) I was so close to purchasing one many years ago but the guy backed out. Anyway I will have to watch this. Thanks for the info.

In case you haven't read his biography, you can down load either a txt or pdf file for free here:
https://epdf.pub/on-a-clear-day-you-can-see-general-motors.html
It pretty much describes his criticisim of the GM corporate machine just before he left, like any disgruntled employee would.

[tajoe]

Never knew this movie existed. Thanks for posting it. I'll watch it, if only to see how they document the GTOs birth. Wonder how much coverage it gets. Could care less about the DMC. To me, it ranked right up there with the Bricklin.
When I moved to Ct, in the early 80s, I saw some-one driving one. They had it painted red. LOL.

[JJ 109]

I found this show extremely interesting.

He was a talented man, arguably credited for kicking off the muscle car.

His ego got a little ahead of him obviously, but so close.

What a shame.   

[tajoe]

I watched it the other day too. It was a bit entertaining, and informative. But I always heard that Jim Wangers got the credit for the GTO idea, not John. Maybe John approved Jim's idea (?) It got a bit boring towards the end. I was also confused, in that it seemed it was a documentary, about the movie. So, was it the movie too? 

[scarebird]

In Wanger's book he notes Russ Gee and Delorean had noted on a Saturday idea session in March, 1963 that the 389 would fit in as well as a 326 in a LeMans.  It was done during the week and tested next Saturday.  The rest is history.

[roadking77]

Havent seen the movie, but again I think Luke and myself were separated at birth. I too wanted/want a delorean in the the worst way. The prices of decent ones are getting way out of hand now and I would have to sell one of my Trans Ams first. Maybe one day. As for the red one you saw, it may be factory. I know of at least 2 that were done that way. I think one was for Coca Cola, or an executive with them. The boss at the AACA was a dealer at one time and shared some good stories.

[Wallington]

I thought a few of the special models with turbo or twin-turbo were to feature paint, but again, after many decades of deterioration and panel repairs, I can understand why a few would end up in paint.

[tajoe]

I came to Ct, in 81. That's when I saw the red one. Not sure when the 1st DMCs were built, but I'm sure it wasn't too old.

[FormTA]

In my attic right now... Yes, I'm am still obsessed with them.

[roadking77]

They were made between 1981 and 1982. When they went under a company bought up the excess inventory, that company became 'Big Lots'. A British guy ended up buying the name and all the parts and has been 'remanufacturing' them in Texas. I think there is a pretty big support for them now, albeit it comes from one source 

There were some celebrities that were on the ground floor as stockholders, of course they all lost their shirt so to speak. I know that Johnny Carson lost a lot of money with them. I watch his re runs and occasionally he will make a snide comment directed towards the venture.

[5th T/A]

Building automobiles is a tough business to break into. It takes very deep pockets to keeps things afloat while trying to get up to speed. I am not even sure if Tesla is profitable yet? I think back to Tucker & Bricklin. There are a few new electric manufacturers also on shaky ground.

I like the way the car looks. In my mind the anemic engine with an automatic transmission made the Delorean all show and no go. Similar to the Fiero being released with just a four banger.

I haven't seen the movie but plan to. John Delorean had some great ideas, very sad the way things ended up.

[stros]

Good point.  Tesla took 18 years to make a profit, but this year they’ve been more profitable than GM and Ford.  They generate a good portion of their profits still by selling zero carbon credits on top of cars and solar.

[Jack]

I want a DeLorean to go into the past and stay there 

[xtrme_ta]

Deloreans are still available and you can buy a new one.
They are currently in development of an all new electric car.
I'm not really a fan of the looks.
A guy I used to work for back in the 80's his nephew bought the rights and started reproducing the parts.
He slowly started working towards bringing them back.
The last I knew if you wanted one they were modernized a bit and we're selling for $120,000. 

[Jack]

$120k good luck.

[xtrme_ta]

It's a small price to pay for a time traveling car. Lol

[mrbandit]

My friend inherited one when his father-n-law passed away.  Its just sitting in his garage, because nobody knows where he put the keys.  I thought about trying to buy it, but my vision of a beefed up Delorean were shot down when I saw this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7f9eZCQc4M

This guy put an LS motor in it and said it would shred the tranny if you rode it too hard.     I didn't want the hassle, so I gave up on that one real fast.  Its still cool though.

[Wallington]

Corvette covers are lame, though.

[Jack]

LS solves all problems...

[tajoe]

LS solves all problems...

LOL. Funny stuff, Jack. (you "are" being sarcastic, right?)

[FormTA]

Nope. LS do solve all problems.

I remember when this kid was building this car. It was quite some time ago.  I may have seen it on a LS forum.

[tajoe]

Well, I guess we can agree, to disagree. "All" problems is a bit generic. Use ta be the SBC was the savior. Now the LS is filling in, because soon there is gunna be as many of them on the road, as the old iron. Whatever is cheapest and available becomes the motor of choice.

[Jack]

LS solves all problems...

LOL. Funny stuff, Jack. (you "are" being sarcastic, right?)

I'll keep the suspense going some more but you know me too well Joe

[FormTA]

Jack is hiding his alter ego, new LS swap in the works 

I wouldn't be an LS guy if like you said, there was another cheap, easy,  efi engine with great HP and fuel efficiency that pretty much drops right in, in place of my 301. Not to mention mine was a complete package with a 4L60 all controlled by a stock ecm. I've said it before too, my swap was almost free (bought a whole car and parted it out in 2 days at a swap meet). It was a great option for me and I will continue to recommend it.

I love all V8s so it doesn't really matter to me what anyone has, as long as your Pontiac is on the road!

[tajoe]

Once again, (buddy  ) we can agree, to disagree. Everyone has their own opinion, and none are more right than the other. At least for each individual. It's all in the way you were raised, and your belief system.
So anyway, has anyone heard from John DeLorean? (wink wink)

[gm muscle]

So anyway, has anyone heard from John DeLorean? (wink wink)

Why yes, I have. He told me to LS swap my Monte SS...

[mrbandit]

Sorry about taking the conversation down a rabbit hole.  I personally think a car needs to perform if its going to be billed as a sportscar.  John was brilliant to offer it up to the movies, as it had a similar affect as SATB for that teen generation.  The docu series also brought to light aspects of that car I wasn't aware of.  I had know idea the suspension and braking was so bad.

[FormTA]

It was a convoluted mix of parts. Fiberglass tub, stainless panels weird frame (I think it was Lotus engineered, if I remember correctly). Peugeot engine with 130 hp. Even the interior looks like a 80 Lotus esprite. Exterior look. Wonder what they would have evolved into had he not went to jail. A couple more years and he would have probably had his super car and all the kinks ironed out. I don't think he did too bad for only having 2 and a half years of sales. (It was a functional car and only one model).

[tajoe]

So anyway, has anyone heard from John DeLorean? (wink wink)

Why yes, I have. He told me to LS swap my Monte SS...

I can dig that one. A chevy in a chevy. A marriage made in heaven.

[firebirdparts]

Mattison told some stuff on him at the T/A Nats.  he said "I don't know how many pink Firebirds I sent to Nancy Sinatra".  He was a PR guy and his desk was real close to DeLorean's.  He said DeLorean needed a hotel room in southern California and he wanted it full of roses.  So they got in touch with a dealer out there and one of his employees took care of it.  This was evidently during the Nancy Sinatra phase.

They gave some Firebirds of another color to some other movie star, I think, but I forget who and what color.

Herb had told many years ago about DeLorean's face "modification" as it wasn't entirely a facelift.  he was in his office in the dark for a few weeks.  Anyway Mattison said somebody warned  him "if you go in there don't say anything" but he said he just busted out laughing when he had to go to the office.

[tajoe]

Mattison? Is that "Biff" Mattison, Joe?

[firebirdparts]

Wut?

[tajoe]

LOL. Never mind. I heard that name somewhere from the past.