The first bit of the car arrives!

Well, the documents and the first it of the car arrived via FedEx today. The first bit was the original gear shift knob which had been replaced with a stainless steel version on the car. The other documents consisted of the owners handbook, original dealers list, EPA certificate and original 1981 promotional brochure. All in great condition, especially considering their age. The EPA certificate is a copy, and I'm not sure its for VIN#10719 as the cars VIN doesn't feature anywhere. I'll have to ask the seller what the
story is on these.

The gear shift knob was like many of the other DeLorean ones I'd seen before. They always seemed to let the interior of the car down in my opinion, looking drab and boring by comparison.The original from VIN 10719 was no exception, so I can see why this one had been replaced with a stainless steel number. It also sported some nasty marks on both sides where over the years objects had been bashed into the gear stick and left their mark. These really made it look both rough and unloved.

So, as the first real repair job on VIN#10719 I decided to see if I could give it a face lift and role back the years on this sad looking bit of automobile history. Now, luckily for me I have access to some polishing machines, similar to the type of thing used by jewellers to polish precious metals. Having previously been both a jeweller and silversmith I new the gear shift knob could be polished using the same polishing compounds used for metal (I think its made out of a cast resin compound). Plus, these machines could be used to carefully "polish out" the scrapes picked up over the years. Care had to be taken not to polish out the shifting pattern embossed into the top of the gear shift knob. The polishing mops come in a firmer and "softer" version, so I needed to alternate between the two to get the desired final finish, making sure each time not to take too much off, or alter the overall shape. While doing the polishing the gear shift emitted an interesting "old car" smell.

 

After a fair amount of careful polishing this was the final result. No scratches, and a nice polished appearance. Much better than the pitted original example. Now, I'm not sure than the original factory examples had this level of finish, but considering how easy the main surface of the ball was to polish I can only imagine it did. As for the gear shift pattern I'm not sure. It did make me wonder if the pattern was picked out in another colour, such as white. One thongs for sure this will make a nice "original" feature in the car.

 

Somewhere down there.....

Somewhere down there is VIN #10719, waiting to be loaded onto the Taiko bound for Europe and Southampton. The car has been sitting in this huge open air car park since the 9th of November, so hopefully nothing has befallen her. In just over two weeks I'll find out when she at long last makes it back here to the UK.

The plan at the moment is to have her picked up and transported of to Chris at P J Grady in Essex. Once there he can give the car a once over, fit all the UK spec headlights and fog lights, and get her MOT'ed and registered. I'm also thinking of going for new front springs to lower the front end, plus fit new lower ball joints (as a precaution).

If all goes well I'll be able to drive her back from Essex to the Midlands. Fingers crossed.

All loaded on the transport - Pics!

 Well here are the pictures of VIN#10719 finally leaving Indiana for the UK. It's great to know that the car is actually on it's way. I can't  believe it. Interesting that its on such a large wagon which is then being pulled by what looks like a 4X4 truck? Very odd.

Notice the plastic on the seats and steering wheel. lets just say that the dock handlers aren't known for their lack of grease, oil and dirt. If you want to keep those leather seats and other bits of interior clean on the long journey this is one hell of a good idea. Also, don't have any documents or personal belonging stored in the car. Although I'm sure its unlikely to happen but if they disappear your insurance wont cover it.



Well, this is the last I'll see of her before the docks in Southampton. Alas, there wasn't anybody who was willing to take pictures of the car in Baltimore, which is a shame. Would have been nice to see the car loaded onto the ship.

Anyway, not long now until she sets sail!

She's on here way at last!

Yes, after many days of stress VIN#10719 has finally  left Indiana on her way to the UK! After many emails back and forth over the last few days it happened without me even knowing about it. After emailing Jamie at Hill Shipping again to see what the state of play was he replied to say the car was collected yesterday and was on its way to Baltimore. the big moment I've been longing for for days happened without me even knowing about it.

To be fair the seller, Rick, had emailed me during the early hours of this morning. I'd somehow just missed his email. In fact the collection of the car had taken him somewhat by surprise, with the haulier only giving him twenty minutes notice of collection! Poor guy had to race out of work and back home, only to then wait for an hour and a half for the driver to turn up. He's been really understanding with the whole hold-up with collection due to the storm, so I really owe him one for being both understanding and still sorting the car out. Whats more is he's even taken pictures of her being loaded and driven off into the sunset. When he emails them over I'll upload them to the blog for all to see.

So, she'll finally make it to the Baltimore port tomorrow, then leave on the Taiko RoRo ship on Sunday, for an ETA of the 5th of December. Right on time for Christmas!

Track the ship here http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?oldmmsi=258693000&zoom=10&olddate=lastknown

Buy this book!

If your looking for the perfect guide to not only buying but owning a DeLorean then look no further! This is the perfect book for anyone thinking of ownership. Covering all the key differences, year changes, problems and things to look out for it's a great companion. I didn't received mine until after buying VIN#10719, but wish I'd had this to hand before starting out on my search. Funnily enough it was actually recommended to me by the seller of VIN#10719 after we agreed the sale. He keeps his copy for constant reference, and I can see why. Page after page of clear description, excellent photographs, and clear description on just about every part of the car. Its not a workshop manual, but in its diminutive pages most key aspects of the car are discussed.

Getting hold of a copy in the UK is pretty impossible. It seems not to be published on this side of the Atlantic. However, you can order your copy direct from the author at www.deloreanguide.com and have it shipped over. Well worth the time and price. Get yours now!

Blog about VIN# 559

Just a quick post about a blog being done by another new DeLorean owner. The blog follows one of the very early cars off the production line in 1981, VIN #559. Most of these series 500 cars were used by DMC company employees, suppliers and VIP's associated with the company. In late spring of 1982 these cars were collected from the associated assignees and sold to Chestnut Leasing, a fleet sales company, according to James Espey in his wonderful book "The Illustrated Buyer's Guide to deLorean Automobiles" (a must have book if you don't already have a copy).

Although only recently up and running the blog already has some great posts about the progress of getting #559 back up to "original" road worthyness. Purchased for $18,500 she's presently being re-built from the frame upwards, with fantastic looking results! Mind you, the costs involved are eye-watering, but worth it in the end. As a car with such history and importance to the community she'll be worth quite a bit if she ever comes up for sale.

Check out the website at www.vin559.com, and check back for progress. I'll certainly be keeping an eye on it!

Some progress

 

Well, looking on the bright side this could be #10719 up to her neck in seawater! Ironically it was the extra paperwork that the NY port authorities requested before the car could be shipped from Indiana that in the end resulted in her NOT being in NY when hurricane Sandy hit. However, the aftermath of the hurricane has meant that yesterday when she should have been making her way across the Atlantic she's still stuck in a garage in Indiana.

Its been a stressful week for me, not knowing when and if the car will leave from NY, but thankfully it looks like hope is in sight with a transfer to the port of Baltimore early next week. No dates have been confirmed yet, and we don't have a date for the car to be picked up from Indiana, but at least there is some progress. Fingers crossed that by this time next week she should be on a ship sailing towards good old blighty and her new home!

There is one fly in the proverbial ointment in the shape of the original Bill of Sale and Title, which are in NY somewhere, hopefully safe. These will need to be sent down to Baltimore ahead of the car to allow it to leave the US and then sent to me ready for presentation to the DVLA here in the UK when registering her. I'll keep posting with progress next week, and hopefully good news!