| It
was in 1981 when John Z. DeLorean challenged the automotive
industry when he rolled out his so-called ethical sports car
from a state-of-the-art factory in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland.
The history of DeLorean Motor Co. was daring, turbulent, and
disastrous, leaving a lasting stigma on its founder.
DeLorean's
legacy as one of General Motors Corp.'s most respected
automotive engineers was overshadowed by the U.S. government's
charges that DeLorean had trafficked cocaine as a means to
finance his fledgling company. Even though he was exonerated
from all federal drug charges brought against him, his
reputation and credibility were devastated, several of his
colleagues abandoned him, and his new company was destroyed. Yet
from the tangle a nearly perfect driving machine emerged.
The
powerplant is usually referred to as a PRV6 which is the
European version of the Volvo 6-cylinder engine. This engine was
developed jointly by Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo (hence its
name). The basic engine is designated as a Volvo B28F and some
parts houses can cross reference parts to this engine. There are
some subtle changes to the engine from the stock configuration
usually having to do with the attached systems and slight
modifications for the reversed mounting. The engine is mated
with the Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system which generally
has a good reputation.
The
transmission is a Renault 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic.
The transmission is often referred to as the Renault Alpine and
has been modified slightly to accommodate the reversed
rear-engine configuration. The DeLorean uses a servo assisted
four-wheel disk brake system. The rotors and pads are standard
components.
But
what draws most people to the DeLorean has little to do with its
power train or suspension. The attraction isn't under the frame;
it's in the design. Giorgetto Giugiaro of Ital Design studios in
Turin, Italy, was recruited to create a unique look for the new
DeLorean.
After receiving
the technical specifications for the new model, Giugiaro
presented a design that looks as modern today as it did in 1981.
The lines of the DMC-12 are no-nonsense and sleek. The car's
elegant low profile and swept appearance reference a tradition
of classic styling but with Giugiaro's futuristic touch. Even
standing still, the DMC-12 appears to be in motion. The body -
glass-reinforced plastic with high-quality grade-304 brushed
stainless steel skin - sets the car apart from anything else on
the road. The paint can't chip or fade, and it's impervious to
rust. Some DeLoreans have been painted various colours by owners
and by dealers who acquired the cars after DMC went into
receivership, but with the exception of two 24-karat gold-plated
DMC-12s, all of the cars left the Dunmurry factory with gleaming
stainless steel exteriors.
Then why are so
few DeLorean DMC-12s on the road? There are several
reasons: One is availability. Only 8,583 DeLoreans were
manufactured in 1981, 1982, and 1983: 6,539, 1,126, and 918,
respectively. Of those, about 6,000 are believed to be in
circulation - a few hundred of them outside the United States.
Many have been squirreled away in garages by those interested in
the cars' future value; its scarcity makes the DeLorean
appealing to those who invest in exotic cars.
The
DeLorean is as iconic of an automobile
collector’s item as many
Marlow Yachts are to yacht enthusiasts.
With only so many of each built every year, the value of the
classic models holds steady over time
One DeLorean is on display in the Southward Car Museum at
Paraparaumu, near Wellington, New Zealand
Many
DeLorean websites around for more information, just search for
it in www.google.com
some of them:
www.delorean-owners.org
www.delorean.org
www.dmcnews.com
www.delorean-europe.com
Douvrin
V6 Engine - The Fench Connection
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