Posts: 1,743
Threads: 119
Joined: Aug 2009
...Before I bought my car, I was all for converting one into a BTTF car. I'm honestly, the BIGGEST BTTF fan out there. Ask any of my friends. Challenge me to any question. I WANTED, A TIME MACHINE!!!
....then I bought my DeLorean, and something changed inside me.
This, is a special car. It's a piece of motoring history. It has survived, to this point, 31 years. That's pretty important. The car has gone through various owners, and has been subject to abuse, neglect, and tampering in many ways. In my opinion, it deserves some respect to continue to drive off into the sunset with its head held high.
Being an owner changed me. I feel somewhat responsible, to do what's right. To look after the car. To keep it going. To respect it, so that other people can enjoy it, as it was intended.
I would NEVER, EVER, convert my car now. Not now. It's interesting, challenging, and involving as a hobby, just the way it is. There are already questionable qualities about these cars, for keeping them on the public highways of the UK. The fact is, the law, for a few things here and there, are turning a blind eye. It's easy to do, because the remaining aspects, given with the mileage these cars do in a given year, is not a big hassle. The cars are appreciated for what they are, and what they stand for, and they know that they are owned, and looked after by their considerate owners. BUT, it's a little harder to turn a blind eye to something which is completely obvious as a distraction to other road users, and more than the odd small questionable aspect here and there. BTTF cars get much more attention from the law because in all rights, they should NOT be on the road as a vehicle, in that condition.
These days, if a car has been converted already, fine. It's great! If done properly, they look great, as a film replica, and amusement for public events. If done badly, it's a shambles, and a mockery to the car, and what it stands for, not to mention a complete waste. I'm not really up for seeing more and more of our cars converted now. I think, a few, fine, but let the others live with more respect. The numbers of them are already decreasing every year through accidents, further neglect, for the sake of making YouTube videos, etc etc.
Don't take another poor car, which has been loved for what it is, and looked after in that respect, and then change it into a driveable circus event.
IF YOU ARE insistent in having a BTTF car, then please......buy one that has already been done. The choice has been made on that car already, there is probably not much hope of turning back the clock (not even with the car being a time-machine itself) on it. So, have it, and enjoy it as it's been changed to be like that already, but please, don't ruin another innocent car.
I think, if you became an owner, of an "ordinary" DeLorean - if there is such a thing, then maybe, hopefully, your viewpoint would change. Seeing it in your driveway, glistening in the morning sunshine. The only one in your street, no wait, neighbourhood, town, city even!? Hopefully, you'd appreciate your new car for what it is, already. Keep it going, as it is. Improve on it, modernise where modernisation suits, but not to detract away from how it was intended. Only remove the bad bits, and purify on the good bits.
...That's just my opinion of course.
...Do as you will.
Rissy
(Forum Member 288)
(DOC Member 663)
May 1981 vin#1458 "LEX"
Grey, Flapped, Black
Chassis: #1073
Engine: #2839
Main Car(s):
2005 BMW M3 in Velvet Blue
2010 Honda Civic Type R in Sapphire Blue (1 of 115 made)
Posts: 633
Threads: 32
Joined: Oct 2011
Rissy Wrote:...Before I bought my car, I was all for converting one into a BTTF car. I'm honestly, the BIGGEST BTTF fan out there. Ask any of my friends. Challenge me to any question. I WANTED, A TIME MACHINE!!!
....then I bought my DeLorean, and something changed inside me.
This, is a special car. It's a piece of motoring history. It has survived, to this point, 31 years. That's pretty important. The car has gone through various owners, and has been subject to abuse, neglect, and tampering in many ways. In my opinion, it deserves some respect to continue to drive off into the sunset with its head held high.
Being an owner changed me. I feel somewhat responsible, to do what's right. To look after the car. To keep it going. To respect it, so that other people can enjoy it, as it was intended.
I would NEVER, EVER, convert my car now. Not now. It's interesting, challenging, and involving as a hobby, just the way it is. There are already questionable qualities about these cars, for keeping them on the public highways of the UK. The fact is, the law, for a few things here and there, are turning a blind eye. It's easy to do, because the remaining aspects, given with the mileage these cars do in a given year, is not a big hassle. The cars are appreciated for what they are, and what they stand for, and they know that they are owned, and looked after by their considerate owners. BUT, it's a little harder to turn a blind eye to something which is completely obvious as a distraction to other road users, and more than the odd small questionable aspect here and there. BTTF cars get much more attention from the law because in all rights, they should NOT be on the road as a vehicle, in that condition.
These days, if a car has been converted already, fine. It's great! If done properly, they look great, as a film replica, and amusement for public events. If done badly, it's a shambles, and a mockery to the car, and what it stands for, not to mention a complete waste. I'm not really up for seeing more and more of our cars converted now. I think, a few, fine, but let the others live with more respect. The numbers of them are already decreasing every year through accidents, further neglect, for the sake of making YouTube videos, etc etc.
Don't take another poor car, which has been loved for what it is, and looked after in that respect, and then change it into a driveable circus event.
IF YOU ARE insistent in having a BTTF car, then please......buy one that has already been done. The choice has been made on that car already, there is probably not much hope of turning back the clock (not even with the car being a time-machine itself) on it. So, have it, and enjoy it as it's been changed to be like that already, but please, don't ruin another innocent car.
I think, if you became an owner, of an "ordinary" DeLorean - if there is such a thing, then maybe, hopefully, your viewpoint would change. Seeing it in your driveway, glistening in the morning sunshine. The only one in your street, no wait, neighbourhood, town, city even!? Hopefully, you'd appreciate your new car for what it is, already. Keep it going, as it is. Improve on it, modernise where modernisation suits, but not to detract away from how it was intended. Only remove the bad bits, and purify on the good bits.
...That's just my opinion of course.
...Do as you will.
Very valid points there, thanks for taking the time. IF I get one, it will be one that is prebuilt by a specialist. I don't have the time to spend creating one unfortunately. I also agree that it would be a shame if every delorean was a BTTF car as I do genuinely think they are amazing just as they are.
Can I ask, what are parts like to get for these? Are they quite cost effective? Replica/3rd party parts available? US only? etc.
Posts: 6,163
Threads: 345
Joined: Jul 2006
parts are not a problem in general, most oily/electrical bits are available in the UK, and the
forum has a good parts x-ref with more stuff being found all the time.
Claire Wright - Club Treasurer
Jul 1981 DeLorean - Flopsy #2292
Aug 1989 Cavalier 1.6L - Guinney
Apr 2021 Mokka-e Launch Edition - Evie
#170
Posts: 633
Threads: 32
Joined: Oct 2011
Guinney1971 Wrote:parts are not a problem in general, most oily/electrical bits are available in the UK, and the
forum has a good parts x-ref with more stuff being found all the time.
Thanks Guinney! Which parts tend not to be available in the UK, and are they still available at least from the US? I guess basically what i'm asking.. is there now a risk (or in the next few years) of finding that a part fails, or worst case scenario the engine fails, and not being able to run the car for considerable time and have to spend hours/days contacting people worldwide to find stuff? I would imagine that there are still quite a lot of these cars around and that 3rd party companies are now making stock parts for them?
Posts: 597
Threads: 35
Joined: Dec 2008
As Claire says, you are probably better off in the UK for engine and suspension/brake parts.
Almost anything is available at www.delorean.com, or their franscise in the Netherlands. Shipping costs then play a part.
The two most infamous parts that are unavailable new are the left front fender/wing and the drivers side torsion bar (for the door opening) but neither are hardly maintenance items. There are a couple of 3rd party guys making different designs of torsion bars but if you wrinkle a LFF too badly, then you will need to source a parts car.
Dermot
ex-Dunmurryite
vin 2743
Posts: 597
Threads: 35
Joined: Dec 2008
As Claire says, you are probably better off in the UK for engine and suspension/brake parts.
Almost anything is available at http://www.delorean.com, or their franscise in the Netherlands. Shipping costs then play a part.
The two most infamous parts that are unavailable new are the left front fender/wing and the drivers side torsion bar (for the door opening) but neither are hardly maintenance items. There are a couple of 3rd party guys making different designs of torsion bars but if you wrinkle a LFF too badly, then you will need to source a parts car.
Dermot
ex-Dunmurryite
vin 2743
Posts: 633
Threads: 32
Joined: Oct 2011
Dangermouse Wrote:As Claire says, you are probably better off in the UK for engine and suspension/brake parts.
Almost anything is available at http://www.delorean.com, or their franscise in the Netherlands. Shipping costs then play a part.
The two most infamous parts that are unavailable new are the left front fender/wing and the drivers side torsion bar (for the door opening) but neither are hardly maintenance items. There are a couple of 3rd party guys making different designs of torsion bars but if you wrinkle a LFF too badly, then you will need to source a parts car.
Thanks everyone for the replies, it's a great community you have here! 8)
Posts: 854
Threads: 84
Joined: Nov 2007
Rude?
That was me being nice.
:lol:
VIN 4532
DOC-574
Posts: 6,163
Threads: 345
Joined: Jul 2006
lukebrynycz Wrote:Dangermouse Wrote:As Claire says, you are probably better off in the UK for engine and suspension/brake parts.
Almost anything is available at http://www.delorean.com, or their franscise in the Netherlands. Shipping costs then play a part.
The two most infamous parts that are unavailable new are the left front fender/wing and the drivers side torsion bar (for the door opening) but neither are hardly maintenance items. There are a couple of 3rd party guys making different designs of torsion bars but if you wrinkle a LFF too badly, then you will need to source a parts car.
Thanks everyone for the replies, it's a great community you have here! 8)
you're welcome - for what its worth, my car came from the US with hardly a straight panel on it, and
it was entrusted to Chris Nicholson at PJ Grady Europe in Essex, who did a great job on the stainless
repairs on the car. Chris has worked with stainless for many years - I've known him about 11-12 years
now - and his work is highly thought of not only here, but also in the USA. My left front wing (driver's
side) was badly dented and had a split in it, and he did an amzing job of repairing it, including tig welding
a patch, then grinding back, and rebrushing the panel.
They are not as unreliable as the press and others will have you believe, the electrics can be an issue, but
thats more down to crap connectors, and they are easily upgraded nowadays with either 'plug and play'
replacements from places like DMC Houston, or by doing it yourself with stuff readily available in the UK. Local
to us is a company called Vehicle Wiring Products (also do mail order), who can sell you anything from switches
to fuse boxes at very reasonable prices.
Claire Wright - Club Treasurer
Jul 1981 DeLorean - Flopsy #2292
Aug 1989 Cavalier 1.6L - Guinney
Apr 2021 Mokka-e Launch Edition - Evie
#170
Posts: 513
Threads: 26
Joined: Feb 2007
lukebrynycz Wrote:I'm currently looking at a loan to purchase a car myself....
Luke, I can't stress how much of a bad idea that is - given your other plans (marriage/house/kids), taking out a loan and getting yourself into debt for what is effectively a weekend toy is really not the right thing to do.
If you want something bad enough, as Rissy mentioned you will make sacrifices and cut backs in order to achieve it. It took me a little over 10 years to put enough money aside to buy my car, that included working up to 3 jobs. While I could have taken out a loan to cover the costs and probably have been OK, there is a greater sense of accomplishment knowing you have put in hard graft to get something you want - and it's your's, no one can come knocking on the door to take it away because you have debt against it.
As for the attention a BTTF car would get, you get exactly the same level of attention in a regular DeLorean, people know what it is as soon as they see it, and the most common comment you will hear are people saying is "it's the back to the future car!" I even had someone put his shopping bags down and start bowing as I drove down my local high street - a little extreme but it goes to show how loved/recognisable these car's are. It's nice to be able to drive A) a piece of motoring history, and B) something which put's a smile on peoples faces - it puts a smile on my face when people spot it and I see their faces light up.
I would encourage you to take a trip down to the Cotswolds and hire kckoopa's car for the day, it will give you the chance to get up close and drive a DeLorean, and you'll also get a chance to see peoples reactions when you are driving along - it may help influence your decision on a stock car. http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/cars-delorean.asp
VIN# 04708, Grey interior, 5 speed, October 1981
DOC 649
ex DOC 562
Posts: 320
Threads: 37
Joined: May 2012
Having rented kckoopas car myself, I totally recommend it. For me, it was what convinced me to dedicate more of my savings to the DeLorean fund. Now I'm just waiting for the right car at the right price to appear 
VIN 4494, Grey interior, 5 speed, October 1981
DOC 757
Posts: 633
Threads: 32
Joined: Oct 2011
bttf car Wrote:Luke its great owning a proper time machine but it also costs a lot of money to by a well converted car
its totaaly road legal and safe, well as safe as any other delorean on the road i guess
I have offered you a ride in the BTTF Car just et down to Deal in Kent and i will take you for a spin and yes everyone will look and even try taking a picture when we drive by, i normally slow down when i see a camera
Cheers buddy, I will definitely drive down at some point but will need to borrow the Mrs' car. Mine will cost a bomb. We're off on vacation next month so I'm spent up until at least then, so perhaps the month after. You not anywhere near this side of the country soon, or do you tend to keep it over that way 99% of the time?
Posts: 633
Threads: 32
Joined: Oct 2011
Wow, was a little bored and decided to read back through this. Would like to publically take back some of the silly comments. When you have an idea in your mind, and things get shot down in a less than nice, rather aggressive fashion it's hard to just not 'react'.
I'm still very serious about going down this route still, and do genuinely appreciate the input, even IF it's not what I would have liked to hear. It would be a personal car for weekend enjoyment so hopefully running costs would be low.
Posts: 154
Threads: 22
Joined: Oct 2008
bttf car Wrote:well as safe as any other delorean on the road i guess
I find myself having to constantly check the blind spots when changing lanes on the motorway as people tend to sit there taking pics, gawking, whatever...
Do you find this troublesome with all the guff on the back?
Vin #4087
Posts: 633
Threads: 32
Joined: Oct 2011
dmc4087 Wrote:bttf car Wrote:well as safe as any other delorean on the road i guess
I find myself having to constantly check the blind spots when changing lanes on the motorway as people tend to sit there taking pics, gawking, whatever...
Do you find this troublesome with all the guff on the back?
No sure, haven't driven one yet :lol:
I would imagine that most just simply cruise in the left hand lane anyway.
|
