[English] Irishman uses $5 million to bring DeLoreans back to the future

More Tea

Anyone going to buy one? It's always been on my bucket list. I cant link to the article but the jist of it is below.


More than 30 years since the last DeLorean rolled off the factory line in Ireland, the car known for its gull-wing doors and its role as the time machine in the movie "Back to the Future" is once again slated for production, thanks to one mechanic with a lot of patience.

Pre-order interest has been so overwhelming, DeLorean CEO Stephen Wynne tells CNBC, that the site's submission form has been capping out the company's inbox. Over 3,500 enthusiasts are looking to secure the first 12 DeLoreans planned for 2017.

TrailerBob

They were an interesting idea, but poorly built, using a lot of questionable parts, quite under powered and noisy. Unique in terms of the stainless steel body, but the movie is the real legacy of the DeLorean. They are a cult classic though. And plenty would part with big money for one, especially if it came with a Mr.Fusion banana powered mini reactor

bazz26

Needs a diesel version to sell here. :pac:

More Tea

Anyone know how much they'll be? Has anyone on here ever bought one?

eeguy

Its an awful looking car. As boxy and as 80's as you can possibly get. Some cars have ageless design and this is not one of them.

I'd presume most will be tricked out to replicate the BTTF car. Can't imagine anyone driving the standard model around thinking they look good.

There was a story a year ago about a guy wanting to produce them again for 100k per car. Not the same guy I presume?
http://wtkr.com/2016/01/27/delorean-going-back-into-production-for-the-first-time-in-over-30-years/

GavRedKing

About 10 years ago a buddy I was in college with, his father was restoring a DeLorean, no idea if he ever finished it but it was about 75% of the way through at that stage.

I'd echo the above though, they were awful looking things and apart from being famous from a film, nobody would look twice at them.

seamus

eeguy wrote: »

Its an awful looking car. As boxy and as 80's as you can possibly get. Some cars have ageless design and this is not one of them.

Perhaps not ageless, but definitely distinct. Without BTTF, nobody would even know what a DeLorean is outside of a Buzzfeed "10 crazy cars you'll never believe they built" article.

But now the design is iconic. That doesn't mean you have to like it

GavRedKing wrote: »

About 10 years ago a buddy I was in college with, his father was restoring a DeLorean, no idea if he ever finished it but it was about 75% of the way through at that stage.

You used to be able to see one going in and out of Dublin city on the N4 some days, about ten years ago. Same guy?

James Bond Junior

I worked in a main dealer 17 years ago and the owner imported a tatty one from California. He paid something like $20,000 plus shipping. There is definitely a market out there for them.

bazz26

seamus wrote: »

Perhaps not ageless, but definitely distinct. Without BTTF, nobody would even know what a DeLorean is outside of a Buzzfeed "10 crazy cars you'll never believe they built" article.

But now the design is iconic. That doesn't mean you have to like it

You used to be able to see one going in and out of Dublin city on the N4 some days, about ten years ago. Same guy?

This him?

dr.fuzzenstein

I love the look of them, but I don't know if I would dare drive one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mjd2NTJU9g

nophd08

My mate services one yearly for a lad. Mechanical wise, they are a god awful piece of sh1t with as everyone knows, a mixture of components from other manufacturers. This one has a lovely tan interior ðŸ˜႒

bazz26

Once you keep it at 88 mph walls don't matter:

ba_barabus

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

I love the look of them, but I don't know if I would dare drive one:

It was an advanced safety car back when it was first designed. It even had airbags!

It's actually visible inflating in the second slow shot of that video. I'd love one, my dream car.

Someone had knew at a boards meet before with a hitch fitted.

C'mon off it now!

Who's buying a feckin' DeLorean?! You might aswell be setting your cash on fire, and kicking the ashes in a little child's face.


I mean why buy this:

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/201601/delorean-will-restar-2_800x0w.jpg



When you can buy this!?

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Long_Beach_Comic_Expo_2012_-_A-Team_van_(7186650356).jpg

colm_mcm

I can't see the point in this, if they're restoring original ones and updating them that's fair enough, but if it's a new car using an aged design what's the point.

How will they get around crash legislation? Some kit car exemption or something?

Damien360

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

I love the look of them, but I don't know if I would dare drive one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mjd2NTJU9g

If that is just 40mph then that is scary. No hope of surviving that.

Damien360

colm_mcm wrote: »

I can't see the point in this, if they're restoring original ones and updating them that's fair enough, but if it's a new car using an aged design what's the point.

How will they get around crash legislation? Some kit car exemption or something?

Funny thing is you would get cheap classic insurance for that but if you rocked up with a 10 year old avensis, they will tell you the dangers and hammer your insurance.

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

I can't see the point in this, if they're restoring original ones and updating them that's fair enough, but if it's a new car using an aged design what's the point.

How will they get around crash legislation? Some kit car exemption or something?

I'd imagine numbers are being kept low. It's how MG are getting around homogenisation rules with the new MG GS in the UK. If they keep sales below 1000 units in the EU they don't have to crash test them or comply with all legislation

colm_mcm

I'd say that it won't be a problem staying under 1000 units if the other models are anything to go by.

They've shut up shop in long bridge (not that they actually ever did anything meaningful there since they took over) so even the most diehard brand enthusiasts in the uk have no reason to buy them.

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'd say that it won't be a problem staying under 1000 units if the other models are anything to go by.

They've shut up shop in long bridge (not that they actually ever did anything meaningful there since they took over) so even the most diehard brand enthusiasts in the uk have no reason to buy them.

Video taken yesterday, MG fired the guy for making it as he offered to rescue any bits for enthusiasts.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XqT34ksK8i4&feature=youtu.be

I've a filthy like for an MG3 but I really couldn't. I'm not brave enough.

spuddy

Irishman?

colm_mcm

ba_barabus wrote: »

I've a filthy like for an MG3 but I really couldn't. I'm not brave enough.

I don't see the appeal

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

I don't see the appeal

I've always just wanted an MG

colm_mcm

Then buy a nice one!

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

Then buy a nice one!

It's like telling a child not to play with matches with me

colm_mcm

I love crap cars too, I nearly bought a Dodge Avenger and have toyed with buying a Proton Gen2 at one stage too.

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

I love crap cars too, I nearly bought a Dodge Avenger and have toyed with buying a Proton Gen2 at one stage too.

Phwoar.

I've often been tempted by a CityRover or Proton Sport back. The lancer based thing from years ago.

colm_mcm

Proton Jumbuck pickup too. Stick a mivec v6 in it.

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

Proton Jumbuck pickup too. Stick a mivec v6 in it.

Someone in Wicklow town had a yellow Jumbuck a few years back. Looked class.

Mind you, a Renault Wind would get my interest too.

mickdw

That guy that owns the new Delorean Motor Company is a serious operator and he has the stock of original parts in his ownership.
I'd like to see him do it and get a few new ones on the road.

colm_mcm

A Renault wind isn't crap though, so it doesn't count.

colm_mcm

mickdw wrote: »

That guy that owns the new Delorean Motor Company is a serious operator and he has the stock of original parts in his ownership.
I'd like to see him do it and get a few new ones on the road.

I wonder if it's just a publicity stunt to sell restored ones?

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

A Renault wind isn't crap though, so it doesn't count.

Someone else has odd taste then too.

mickdw

I don't think so.
I've heard about him for a while. He must have some amount of stuff cause he is flat out selling original parts and still reckons he can build many cars from scratch.
I believe front wings are super rare though but I think he is holding back stock for his new builds.

Wibbs

It's become an icon for a few reasons, not least the film appearance, but as a car it's an awful hodgepodge of crappy mechanics and bad design. It looks OK and looks are a personal thing anyway, but was and is slow as continental drift and has the reliability of a baby's arse. You're not sure when, but it can be guaranteed to shít itself. The interiors are woeful and it had more rattles than the toy shelf in Mothercare. Oh and when it rains don't open the doors as it'll give you a decent shower. Parking was a bitch with the same doors and the dampers failed regularly. I drove one an albeit short distance once and though I was "oh cool, a DeLorean" it did not feel like a sports car. And I'm someone who likes "old" cars and some still do the job extremely well(EG a 60's Lotus Elan properly sorted makes something like an MX 5 feel like a Blancmange. And is quicker through the twisties). To each their own I suppose.

outland1985

Used to love spending hours cleaning mine with turps and jacks roll only for the first person to walk by maul it with handprints! Then I have to use the turps again! Great car

Nekarsulm

A neighbour has two of them, years ago he asked me if I would like to go foir a spin to a classic carr show in one of them. Off course I agreed.
Very soon found out that I was asked primarily so as I could check the road ahead for oncoming traffic!
His one was hard to fill with fuel, it would spit back if you didn't go dsloe with the pump trigger. Also, when you pulled on the hand brake, it was then sticking up higher than the seat squab, and you had to clamber over it to get out. Or pull it on after getting out.
Don't get a puncture either, back rims were 15 inch and fringe were, I think, 13.
If you loved attention though, they certainly were the thing to be in!

If I had a lotto win in my pocket, an Aston Martin Lagonda would be the boxy 1980's oddity for me !

biko

spuddy wrote: »

Irishman?

Indeed, he's actually English.
OP, pm me your source and I'll add it to your post

And no, I'd rather drive a Lotus Esprit