New(ish) member saying Hello!

[DMC_Paul]

Hello, I’m a new(ish) DOC member - I’ve actually been a member for a while, and have followed the forum for even longer than that, but after lots of life events getting in the way I’m hoping I might soon have more time to indulge my passion for the DMC-12.

I am lucky enough to own an ‘83 registered/grey/manual, which was imported in 2019 from DMC Midwest and then restored and converted to RHD by Chris Nicholson.  I haven't had that many opportunities to use the car since it was finished, but I’m hoping to get out to a club event at some point this year to say hello in person.

Best wishes!
Paul

[Chris P]

Hi Paul, expect a few teething problems when you first start using it. They like being used regularly, my advice would be to seek advice if this does happen....there is a lot of knowledge out here. What part of the UK are you in?

[DMC_Paul]

Hi Chris

Thanks for saying hello - I have a copy of your excellent book!

I’ve tried to do what I can to keep the car in good shape - trickle charger, starting and running it for 20 minutes or so every month, keeping the tyres inflated and rolling it regularly, dehumidifier set to max 60% etc. - but Chris N also warned me they much prefer to be used, and so I am definitely anticipating there might be a few teething troubles…

My challenge is that, while I have a good theoretical understanding of how cars work, I have no practical experience whatsoever.  I might attempt an oil and filter change before taking the car out on the road again, once I’ve got the historic tax status sorted in April, but no doubt I will be asking for advice as and when any issues crop up - and so many thanks in advance.  I bought a copy of the workshop repair manual, which is pretty intimidating!

I’m based up in West Yorkshire, and so a bit out the way compared to most members I think, but hopefully my initial ‘range anxiety’ will diminish as I use the car more often and gain confidence in it.  If anybody knows a garage up here which has good knowledge of the PRV that would be really helpful – I did hear there might have been a Renault Alpine specialist in Yorkshire at one point, but I’ve never been able to find them.

I also need to get used to how conspicuous I feel driving the car - being a relatively low-key personality-type I thought I had prepared myself for that, but even so I was still surprised by the attention it attracted on my first few drives.  It was all positive, but it will still take some getting used to!

Thanks again and best wishes,
Paul

[Rissy]

Hi Paul,

In case you haven't done already; it's worth you joining the eurotec forum too. http://www.deloreaneurotec.uk/

There's a chap on there called "Admin-bloke", who's very nice (Real name Nick), and well knowledgeable on the DeLorean PRV6 engine (in case you have any issues or teething situations) and he's on your doorstep by the sounds of it.

I'd recommend going on there too, and introducing yourself.

[DMC_Paul]

Hi Rissy

Many thanks for the recommendation – I’ll head over there and check it out.

Best wishes!

Paul

[Guinney1971]

Hi Paul,
there is a chap in North Nottinghamshire (Worksop area) who we know called Lee Crowston,
who is an Alpine specialist, and what he doesn't know about the PRV isn't worth knowing as the
saying goes.
We know him well, and would trust him explicitly if we needed our PRV powered one (out of our two)
sorting out in any depth.
Nice to have you on board anyway - and we are hoping to have our annual club meet in the North West
this year, so just over the Pennines for you. We are hoping to sort something out over the next few weeks
and get the details sent out to members.

[Derfel]

Hi Paul, I also own a Chris Nicholson RHD conversion. They have their own quirks compared to a factory one! Be interesting one day to compare the conversions.

[Rich Hanlon]

Welcome Paul - not sure if you are also on our recent Club whatsapp chat but if you send us your mobile number to me, Guinney1971 or Chris Williams then we can add you.

There is also recent talk of attending a show called Really Retro in Staffs and also the June Belfast trip - advert in the recent club mag or details at http://www.deloreanrevival.co.uk

[DMC_Paul]

(28 Feb 2024, 16:59)Rich Hanlon Wrote: Welcome Paul - not sure if you are also on our recent Club whatsapp chat but if you send us your mobile number to me, Guinney1971 or Chris Williams then we can add you.  

There is also recent talk of attending a show called Really Retro in Staffs and also the June Belfast trip - advert in the recent club mag or details at http://www.deloreanrevival.co.uk

Hi Rich

Many thanks for the welcome – I doubt I’ll make it over to Belfast this year with family commitments etc. (although it’s on my bucket list!), but the Really Retro show could be a possibility – that looks to be a ~250 mile round trip for me though, and so it will depend heavily on the prevailing range anxiety levels...!

Thanks again,

Paul

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(28 Feb 2024, 09:38)Derfel Wrote: Hi Paul,  I also own a Chris Nicholson RHD conversion. They have their own quirks compared to a factory one! Be interesting one day to compare the conversions.

Hi Derfel

It would be great to compare cars sometime, and I’ve got lots of photos that Chris took during the work which might be interesting to look over together too.  It’s amazing how much goes into the conversion, in addition to all the usual restoration work, and to me it does beg the question of whether a post-production conversion for RHD markets would ever have been economically viable for DMC – sadly we will never know!

Best wishes,
Paul

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(27 Feb 2024, 16:56)Guinney1971 Wrote: Hi Paul,
there is a chap in North Nottinghamshire (Worksop area) who we know called Lee Crowston,
who is an Alpine specialist, and what he doesn't know about the PRV isn't worth knowing as the
saying goes.  
We know him well, and would trust him explicitly if we needed our PRV powered one (out of our two)
sorting out in any depth.
Nice to have you on board anyway - and we are hoping to have our annual club meet in the North West
this year, so just over the Pennines for you.  We are hoping to sort something out over the next few weeks
and get the details sent out to members.

Hi Claire

I’ve just had a quick Google and found Lee at John Ashley Cars – many thanks for the recommendation.  In the process Google threw up lots of photos of nice Alpine GTA V6s - that is definitely a car I have some affection for – I think due to memories of watching Ken Masters driving his (with jacket sleeves rolled up) in Howards' Way, if that reference isn’t too obscure!

I’ll look out for the details of the annual club meet, and thanks for flagging that.

Best wishes,
Paul

[Derfel]

Hi Paul. Be great to catch up at one of the club meets. Alternatively - if you are passing Ashby-de-la-Zouch and fancy a coffee and a chat, you're always welcome.

[mattjeh]

Hi Paul, welcome. Putting aside the cost of getting a LHD up and running. Can I ask how much is a RHD conversion approximately? I'm curious.

[DMC_Paul]

(29 Feb 2024, 14:02)mattjeh Wrote: Hi Paul, welcome. Putting aside the cost of getting a LHD up and running. Can I ask how much is a RHD conversion approximately? I'm curious.

Hi mattjeh

Many thanks for the welcome!  I can’t give an answer I’m afraid as I didn’t ask Chris N to break out costs for specific RHD conversion work, and there will have been some economies from doing it alongside the restoration work, but I’d definitely recommend giving him a call if you want ballpark numbers for a standalone conversion.

Best wishes,

Paul

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(28 Feb 2024, 23:08)Derfel Wrote: Hi Paul. Be great to catch up at one of the club meets. Alternatively - if you are passing Ashby-de-la-Zouch and fancy a coffee and a chat, you're always welcome.

Hi Derfel

Many thanks – I’ll definitely let you know if I’m ever close by, that’s very kind of you!

Best wishes,

Paul

[mattjeh]

(29 Feb 2024, 20:32)DMC_Paul Wrote:

(29 Feb 2024, 14:02)mattjeh Wrote: Hi Paul, welcome. Putting aside the cost of getting a LHD up and running. Can I ask how much is a RHD conversion approximately? I'm curious.

Hi mattjeh

Many thanks for the welcome!  I can’t give an answer I’m afraid as I didn’t ask Chris N to break out costs for specific RHD conversion work, and there will have been some economies from doing it alongside the restoration work, but I’d definitely recommend giving him a call if you want ballpark numbers for a standalone conversion.

Best wishes,

Paul

Gotcha. I see what you mean if it was alongside other resto work. Im not an owner yet, soon to be fingers crossed. Im just curious of the approximate cost of a conversion on top of a running well restored example (which is what, about £50k these days?).
When the day comes Chris will be my first call!

[Rissy]

(01 Mar 2024, 20:28)mattjeh Wrote: Im just curious of the approximate cost of a conversion on top of a running well restored example (which is what, about £50k these days?).

I think you're a bit under there nowadays. I was reading even just this week that cars in the US are hitting the $90k mark! That translates to over £70k here. I suspect most owners have their cars insured for much less than that right now, but it seems that this may be a recent value advancement. I'm happy to be proven wrong of course, as I've not done any research or anything, and my figures are only based on some FB chatter earlier in the week. Even if not this high (yet), I would think most owners are having their cars insured from £60k and up. I think the average was about £65k towards the tail end of last year. I need to push up my own valuation myself based on mine being insured at the lower end currently.

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(28 Feb 2024, 23:08)Derfel Wrote: Alternatively - if you are passing Ashby-de-la-Zouch and fancy a coffee and a chat, you're always welcome.

You're not far from me. I'm in Rugby. About 45 mins.

[DMC_Paul]

(01 Mar 2024, 20:28)mattjeh Wrote:

(29 Feb 2024, 20:32)DMC_Paul Wrote:

(29 Feb 2024, 14:02)mattjeh Wrote: Hi Paul, welcome. Putting aside the cost of getting a LHD up and running. Can I ask how much is a RHD conversion approximately? I'm curious.

Hi mattjeh

Many thanks for the welcome!  I can’t give an answer I’m afraid as I didn’t ask Chris N to break out costs for specific RHD conversion work, and there will have been some economies from doing it alongside the restoration work, but I’d definitely recommend giving him a call if you want ballpark numbers for a standalone conversion.

Best wishes,

Paul

Gotcha. I see what you mean if it was alongside other resto work. Im not an owner yet, soon to be fingers crossed. Im just curious of the approximate cost of a conversion on top of a running well restored example (which is what, about £50k these days?).
When the day comes Chris will be my first call!

Hi mattjeh

If you’re currently on the hunt for a car it might even be worth giving him a call now to get some advice on where you should prioritise if you are considering a future RHD conversion.  As much as possible you'll want to avoid a situation where you are undoing and/or redoing things which were baked into the price of the car - Chris has lots of experience on where to focus, and the sweet spot for a RHD conversion candidate.  Good luck with the search!

Best wishes,
Paul