New DeLoreans?

[PiercedE30]

DeLorean To Re-Enter Limited Production in 2008

By Rob Beschizza July 30, 2007 | 11:40:35 AMCategories: Automotive
Normally, this would be the sole province of our car blog, Autopia, but the DeLorean has a special place in the hearts of technology lovers, so its forthcoming return--yes, new DeLoreans are coming--is too exciting to ignore. The Houston refurb outfit that nabbed the trademark, DeLorean Motor Co. (Texas), plans to start limited construction:

"With 200 of the original 2.8-liter V-6 engines still in stock and facing a dwindling supply of cars suitable for rebuilding, Espey figures that within a year or so they'll start making the cars from scratch. Their manufacturing plans are modest — maybe 20 or so cars a year. But it would be quite a comeback for a car that was given up for dead more than a quarter of a century ago."

No, it's not quite the modernized neo-DeLorean that we really want (Lotus has no idea how many people would wet themselves should it roll out a stainless steel, gull-winged Exige), but it will do.
The new DeLoreans will likely cost something more than $42,500, which is what the outfit currently charges to build one from scratch with refurbed parts. And you'll have to upgrade to the sports kit if you want a flux capacitor.

Who's gonna get one?

[Turf1600]

Their "factory" is near my house. I used to see tens of them in the parking lot.

[Hick]

junk then, junk now

[Jscotty]

I wonder how many young people are going to tell me about this "new" car when it hits the market.

[bimmer8604]

i read that article yesterday. i think itd be cool if they did it..wonder if it would work.

Kyle

[Jscotty]

Well one thing I can say is that building 20 units a year is a very smart way to ressurect an otherwise dead car. You will first get orders from the cult followers but I doubt that the demand will rise far above that. When you start getting into issues like airbags, crash testing, etc. nobody will want to buy it. Oh, and add the fact that there was really nothing special about this car other than it being unusual for its time. It looked sporty and stylish but it was not really a "performance" car.

[Jon325i]

Interesting - but check this link:

http://www.delorean.com/torque-curve.asp

The original 2.8L V6 made 130bhp, this new 2.8L V6 makes 197bhp. Unless the curb weight is kept to that of a Miata, this thing won't be much to brag about in terms of performance. More swept capacity or forced induction will defiantely improve things.

To put my point into perspective - the new Honda Civic Si has a 2.0L 4-banger making the same power.

Jon

[imsotyerred]

no flux capacitor?

[Bimmerboy91]

its an option

[Fanzotti]

Now it's time to ressurect the Bricklin!

[Jonathan M3]

The original 2.8L V6 made 130bhp, this new 2.8L V6 makes 197bhp. Unless the curb weight is kept to that of a Miata, this thing won't be much to brag about in terms of performance. More swept capacity or forced induction will defiantely improve things.

To put my point into perspective - the new Honda Civic Si has a 2.0L 4-banger making the same power.

Jon

I can't believe they'll stick with that POS engine. It was the worst part about the car!

Phase One: Use an LS2
Phase Two: ...
Phase Three: Profit!

[Bimmerboy91]

or at least use the twin turbo idea that the car was destined to do if it continued production.

[SchnellerVert]

If they review Nissan/Datsun 240Z debacal they would not even attempt it. Nissan lost their shirts on the rebuilt Z's.

[Turf1600]

If they review Nissan/Datsun 240Z debacal they would not even attempt it. Nissan lost their shirts on the rebuilt Z's.

They have been fully restoring them with all new parts for years and staying in business. the only difference is now they are making the bodies from new metal.

[Jscotty]

no flux capacitor?

It's useless without the 1.21 gigawats of electricty. Back in 1985 you could get plutonium from just about any corner drug store. But after 9-11 you could very well be thought of as a terrorist.