BTTF DeLorean: Quick Rundown?

[Neon Sentry]

Today was, by most measures, a terrible day. I had to endure a relative I have no particular affinity for, went to four different stores in two towns trying to shop for birthday gifts only to find that what I was looking for was completely sold out, and the internet wasn't working for hours. Also, ran out of tape.

But, the one bright spot was that I finally saw a DeLorean, in person, for the first time in my life in the parking lot of my last stop. First thought: Small. Absolutely tiny. Just my size.

Anyway, it hit me a lot harder than I had expected (and reminded just how much I love Back To The Future) and I realized I must have this car. It might be five years down the road, maybe fifteen (hopefully closer to five :lol) but I want this, and I want it to look like the Pt. I Time Machine.

I already know DeLoreans run roughly $20-30k, but how much would it cost to convert it? Are most/all parts readily available or will a lot have to be scratchbuilt? Will I have to run around to a dozen different vendors before I can even call the interior or exterior complete?

I'm not looking for uber-specific info, just a brief overview on the cost, time and effort involved in making this happen. I know it'll be monumental, but are we talking Statue of Liberty or are we talking Great Wall of China, here?

 

[137th Gebirg]

I actually owned an '81 DMC-12 for about 4 years. Bought it for $8900 - painted red (factory option) and in horrible condition. It spent more time in my mechanic's garage and on a flatbed than it did on the highway. I actually think my mechanic put more road miles on it than I did after I spent about $9000 getting it running. Sold it for $13000 - at a MAJOR loss.

I think the folks that thought up the 88 MPH thing had a wicked sense of humor. The Peugeot-Renault-Volvo 2.85L V6 (a.k.a. PRV6) which generally dyno'ed at around 100 HP. Similar to the Volvo B28F 2.8L "F" type, it was an extremely underpowered engine for its application, particularly with John Z. DeLorean's desire to compete with Porsche and other exotics of the era. One of its main weaknesses was an equally underpowered and frequently failing French-made Ducellier alternator (80 amps). It handled well and looked like it could go 200MPH standing still, but in truth, after all the work was done, it started shaking terribly after I got it up to around 60. It accelerated like a Yugo. Yes, there was an OEM turbo system you could install on top (removing ANY possibility of future engine work - the engine compartment being so small - it used up all remaining available space under the lid) which would buy you an additional 27 or so HP. The one I had was also an automatic (somewhat rare), which robbed even more HP from the baseline (~89 HP).

Sources:
www.dmcnews.com/faq/faq.htm
www.dmcnews.com/Resource/horsepower.html

So, at the end of the day, unless the BTTF DeLorean was upgraded with the 4.5L engine (giving you a WHOPPIN' 165 HP), chances of hitting 88MPH on a stock DMC-12 is slim-to-none.

Other nifty facts:

• When the DeLorean failed on Marty in the first movie (an accurately depicted event), he slams his head on the steering wheel, which restarts the car. You hear a little horn "beep" when this happens. Not so accurate. Because that portion of the vehicle was, IIRC, designed by Renault, the car horn was NOT in the steering wheel, but in the TURN SIGNAL handle, by pressing in on the plastic handle cap.
• Also in the first movie, when the DeLorean pulls out of the rear of the trailer and drives around, it sounds like it has at least a small-block V8 running in it with a rather impressive sound. I have only ever heard of one conversion of a Delorean to support a Cadillac NorthStar V8 down in Texas somewhere, which involved some MASSIVE modifications to the rear of the car. An engine that size would not have allowed enough space for all the additional time-travel greebles in the back that were sitting on top of the engine compartment. The impressive V8 sound effects were gaffed in during post production. The DeLoreans used in the movies all had stock V6's.
• In the third movie, the Indian arrow that pierced the gas line/tank in the rear would never have killed a real DeLorean. The gas tank is in front of the car under the luggage compartment and the fuel line goes nowhere near where the arrow went into the body. If you get one, make sure you check the gas line from stem to stern, as it's rubber, not metal, and had a tendency to dry rot - and LEAK!
• Also in the movie, Doc says he "put gas in the tank". This is 1955. Unleaded gas didn't exist then. The DeLorean was built from 1981 - 1983 and only runs on unleaded gas. Cars built in the 70's and before can take unleaded gas, but not the other way around. Leaded gas will contaminate the catalytic converter and make it useless, throwing the whole exhaust system, particularly the O2 sensors and ECM computers off kelter, which could cause the vehicle to stop functioning.
• The doors don't make the mechanical whirring noises when they open or close. They are supported by a titanium torsion bar coupled with a standard hydraulic gas piston. All you should here is a quiet little "hiss" and maybe a creak or squeak from the hinges.

Despite all these problems, I still have a warm spot for the old girl. After 4 years and too much money spent, I finally sold it for a little over half what I bought it for and put into it combined. Last I heard, it's somewhere up in northern New Jersey now.

 

[allosaur176]

• In the third movie, the Indian arrow that pierced the gas line/tank in the rear would never have killed a real DeLorean. The gas tank is in front of the car under the luggage compartment and the fuel line goes nowhere near where the arrow went into the body.

The arrow didn't pierce the fuel line, it was torn from underniegth while driving over the terrain

 

[137th Gebirg]

That would definitely be believable, especially since the line was made of rubber. I still shake my head at that concept. A rubber fuel line.

 

[allosaur176]

Doc had to cut costs :lol

I plan on getting on soon also and converting it.. I wouldn't dream on taking it up past 60 mph anyways..

I've been slowly collecting all the major interior parts for it.. And if this is a phase i'm going through, then I know I can atleast get my money back and possibly more thru ebay

 

[Remo]

WHile taking my kids for a walk recently, I passed an open garage that had a couple "classic" (Im not a car guy, but they looked old and cool ) and on the lower part of a 2 car rack I saw a Delorean. I wanted to go check it out, but you never know how people might feel about you coming into their garage I do want to walk past there again and talk to him about it.

 

[Gary Weaver II]

My advice...

Buy a car already converted. You will save a TON of time and headaches.

The recent spike in prices for conversion parts on ebay is seriously affecting the final values for conversions as well. They have been averaging about 60k finished. I'd expect that number to soon start going up.

-Gary

 

[SSRN Seaview]

Does the BTTF DeLorean conversions show up on the auto auction blocks? I mean the Kruse, Barret-Jackson, etc....

 

[Rhett J Martin]

This is a fascinating read. :eek
More info please!

 

[Neon Sentry]

Yes, thanks for all of the info.

I read that the plutonium chamber was based on a Dodge hubcap? True/false?

 

[DVDVampire]

I usually drive by the Houston Facility on my way home from work.

Very Cool seeing those cars lined up.

 

[Jet Beetle]

The cars themselves are pieces of junk. Only get one at a tinker or third car. A friend of mine used to have one back in 89 and it was a blast driving around in that sucker before the days of giant SUVs ruling the road, but the thing was always breaking down or needed some part or another. The Houston shop is always there to take your order but I hear it's expensive stuff. There's a funny Youtube video where the Houston manager is showing this reporter a gold Delorean and the guy keeps asking where the flux capasitor is - the manager doesn' t find it funny (which kinda makes it more funny) and he finally ends the interview.

but here's a 40mph crash test to make you think

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mjd2NTJU9g&feature=related

 

[bobamatt]

This is a fascinating read. :eek
More info please!

I couldn't agree more.

This is something I have always wanted to do. After seeing some of the prices lately, I'm thinking twice.

There is a garage in my area that has a Delorean. I've always wanted to stop in and see if he/she would sell to me.

As far as I can tell it's been in one spot for the last 4 years. :unsure



Remo, there is a BTTF converted Delorean in a museum in Volo. It's not far from you.

Here is the link

OT: Apparently George Barris will be there 4th of July weekend.

 

[howlingwind13]

I own an 81 delorean, and am converting it over...I paid $14K, the car needs work, it's drivable and runs, but because it sits so much it needs some about $5-7 k worth of mechanical/ frame work (rusted, with a few weak spots)

I agree with Gary, buy one already converted, as the accurate parts surplus have disappeared, and you will pay a huge mark up on real parts. What once cost $20. now costs $200.

I have 80% of the stuff I need to make a full conversion parts wise. Have not bolted anything on to the car at all. Waiting until I can pay for the mechanical work, problem is I keep buying bttf parts instead of car parts:rolleyes otherwise I'd probably have a mint condition car:lol

mike

 

[Gary Weaver II]

I agree with Gary, buy one already converted, as the accurate parts surplus have disappeared, and you will pay a huge mark up on real parts. What once cost $20. now costs $200.

Truer words have never been spoken. Ebay and a weak US Dollar has caused the BTTF parts market to take a turn towards crazyville lately.

$30 hubcaps have sold for $500+. Watertight plugs you can get for a few bucks are selling for over $100 a set, and so on and so on.

Like I said earlier. Go get yourself an already built conversion - you will be far better off.

-Gary

 

[jts1031]

Wasn't there talk of putting the DeLorean back into production by some other company just recently? Or am I misremembering?

 

[Fetthunter]

There's a funny Youtube video where the Houston manager is showing this reporter a gold Delorean and the guy keeps asking where the flux capasitor is - the manager doesn' t find it funny (which kinda makes it more funny) and he finally ends the interview.

It's painful to watch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIoagnswqQI



On a related note, my dad worked at a dealership that sold Deloreans. I used to love going there on the weekends and hanging out in the showroom while my dad worked (he was the Parts Dept. Manager). That was before BTTF. I just thought they were cool cars.

 

[Neon Sentry]

That clip is hilarious.

Disappointing to hear the exorbitant markup on parts nowadays as I have a real love for putting things together myself, but there's a point (somewhere around where you're spending three times as much as you should be :lol) where you have to give in and have someone else handle it for you.

So, approx. $60k, huh? Quite a bit of saving ahead of me.

 

[Gary Weaver II]

I truthfully think 60K is gonna be on the low end now.

-Gary

 

[Stormy320]

Gary - don't you have one? Love to see pics!