15 May 2015, 14:27
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22717/lot/202/
The De Lorean is one of the few exceptions to the common theme of Vintage Italian Automobiles in the Collection from which it hails, but here the Giugiaro body styling is the connection. On this occasion, its acquisition was more to do with the advice and encouragement of one of the mechanics who helped the owners with the cars who just loved the De Lorean.
Seeking a good, honest car, the example that they found was a low mileage example with a modest mileage of 33,000 on the clock. For collectors who were totally hooked on fast cars, the De Lorean didn't quite live up to their expectations. They were not the only people to have thought this as, back in the day, efforts to twin turbocharge the motor had reached prototype stages using Legend Industries turbos. By chance, the collection's mechanic knew the widow of the founder of Legend Industries, and was able to get the some parts and the "original" specification for the twin turbo that they designed for the De Lorean, so they reworked their car to this specification. They kept the original block, but enhanced the pistons and cam, ever hopeful that the car would go as well as it looked. The upgrade was a success, but for these guys it still wasn't fast enough so they installed an alcohol injector, and thanks to that were able to obtain about 300 horsepower! Of course, with improved horses, they needed to make sure that the rest of the car could cope, so Koni adjustable shock absorbers were fitted, the front springs were lowered by about one inch and ventilated brakes were fitted. The tires are BF Goodrich Comp T/A. When finished they took the car to Bridgehampton to test it and found that it could do 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds and would top out at 160 mph!
Aside from the track the car has been regularly used on the road, with longer journeys including driving to Florida and back, while its mileage has only risen to just less than 35,000. The car's condition can best be described as commensurate with its age and with having been enjoyed. Its interior shows some wear as does the engine compartment, it being more of a driver than a show queen. Over the course of the last 20 or so years the De Lorean has been maintained by De Lorean Specialists P.J. Grady Inc. for which there are bills on file approaching $10,000 and in house with parts supplied by Specialty Automotive De Lorean Parts of Olympia, WA.
Arguably the definitive specification that might have made production, twin turbo-charged De Loreans are few and far between and as such it is recommended to all fans of this fascinating tale
The De Lorean is one of the few exceptions to the common theme of Vintage Italian Automobiles in the Collection from which it hails, but here the Giugiaro body styling is the connection. On this occasion, its acquisition was more to do with the advice and encouragement of one of the mechanics who helped the owners with the cars who just loved the De Lorean.
Seeking a good, honest car, the example that they found was a low mileage example with a modest mileage of 33,000 on the clock. For collectors who were totally hooked on fast cars, the De Lorean didn't quite live up to their expectations. They were not the only people to have thought this as, back in the day, efforts to twin turbocharge the motor had reached prototype stages using Legend Industries turbos. By chance, the collection's mechanic knew the widow of the founder of Legend Industries, and was able to get the some parts and the "original" specification for the twin turbo that they designed for the De Lorean, so they reworked their car to this specification. They kept the original block, but enhanced the pistons and cam, ever hopeful that the car would go as well as it looked. The upgrade was a success, but for these guys it still wasn't fast enough so they installed an alcohol injector, and thanks to that were able to obtain about 300 horsepower! Of course, with improved horses, they needed to make sure that the rest of the car could cope, so Koni adjustable shock absorbers were fitted, the front springs were lowered by about one inch and ventilated brakes were fitted. The tires are BF Goodrich Comp T/A. When finished they took the car to Bridgehampton to test it and found that it could do 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds and would top out at 160 mph!
Aside from the track the car has been regularly used on the road, with longer journeys including driving to Florida and back, while its mileage has only risen to just less than 35,000. The car's condition can best be described as commensurate with its age and with having been enjoyed. Its interior shows some wear as does the engine compartment, it being more of a driver than a show queen. Over the course of the last 20 or so years the De Lorean has been maintained by De Lorean Specialists P.J. Grady Inc. for which there are bills on file approaching $10,000 and in house with parts supplied by Specialty Automotive De Lorean Parts of Olympia, WA.
Arguably the definitive specification that might have made production, twin turbo-charged De Loreans are few and far between and as such it is recommended to all fans of this fascinating tale
Membership Secretary DOC UK
2021's DeLorean event: http://www.deloreans.co.uk/forum/showthr...p?tid=6056
VIN#15768 Ex VIN#4584
2021's DeLorean event: http://www.deloreans.co.uk/forum/showthr...p?tid=6056
VIN#15768 Ex VIN#4584