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 It seems not to be published on this side of the Atlantic.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!