Freedom Motorcycle

Archive for August, 2010

History

Beginning

John DeLorean founded the DeLorean Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan on October 24, 1975. He was already well known in the automobile industry as a capable engineer, business innovator, and youngest person to become a General Motors executive. Investment capital came primarily in the form of business loans from the Bank of America and from the formation of partnerships and private investment from select parties, including The Tonight Show host Johnny Carson. Money was also gained later through a dealer investment program in which those dealerships offering DeLorean’s cars for sale were made shareholders in the company.

DeLorean also sought lucrative incentives from various government and economic organizations to pay for constructing the company’s automobile manufacturing facilities. To gain these, he looked to build his first factory in a country or area where unemployment was particularly high. One candidate was the Republic of Ireland, although the country’s then Minister for Industry and Commerce, Desmond O’Malley, decided not to support the project. A deal in Puerto Rico was about to be agreed when DeLorean took up a last-minute offer from the Northern Ireland’s Industrial Development Board (IDB). The British government was very keen to create jobs in Northern Ireland to reduce sectarian violence by reducing unemployment. As part of this offer, DeLorean was apparently under the impression that the British government would provide his company with Export Credit financing. This would provide a loan of 80% of the wholesale cost of the vehicles (US$20,000) upon completion and delivery for shipping.

Manufacturing facility

In October 1978, construction of the 6-building, 660,000 square foot (61,000 m) manufacturing plant began in Northern Ireland and was completed in 16 months by Farrans McLaughlin & Harvey. Officially known as DMCL (DeLorean Motor Cars, Ltd.), the facility was located in Dunmurry, a suburb of Lisburn. It was situated on an interface between two communities with differing religious predominations; Twinbrook (Catholic), and Dunmurry (Protestant). The facility had separate entrances for each side, but this was more of a geographic convenience than it was for religious segregation.

Unit production was scheduled to begin in 1979, but engineering delays and budget overruns caused the assembly lines to start in early 1981. Workers at the factory were generally inexperienced; many never had jobs before joining DMC. This may have contributed to the reported quality issues attributed to the early production vehicles and the subsequent establishment of Quality Assurance Centers (QAC) located at various delivery locations. QACs were set up in California, New Jersey and Michigan where some of the quality issues were to be addressed and resolved before delivery to dealerships. Some of the issues related to the fitting of body panels, higher-output alternators, and gullwing door adjustments.

The combined efforts of quality assurance improvements at the factory and the post-production quality assurance done at the QACs were generally successful, although workmanship complaints would still occasionally arise; the 1981 DeLoreans were delivered with a 12 month, 12,000-mile (19,000 km) warranty. By 1982, improvements in components and the more experienced workforce meant that production quality was vastly improved. Disputes between dealerships and customers arose later because many dealerships refused to do warranty work because they were not reimbursed.

Vehicles

DMC-12

Main article: DeLorean DMC-12

DeLorean DMC-12 with gull-wing doors open.

Reception by the car buying public and automotive magazines was mixed. Although the early vehicles had impressive waiting lists of anxious consumers, the MSRP sticker price of $25,000 ($57,500 in 2008 dollars) was cost-prohibitive for the majority of the market – especially for what many considered to be an under-powered and impractical plaything. “It’s not a barn burner,” observed Road & Track, “(with) a 0-60 mph time of 10.5 seconds. Frankly, that’s not quick for a sports/GT car in this price category.” The stainless steel body panels were an attractive design concept and impervious to corrosion, but in practice the sheen surface tended to show fingerprints. It also meant that the car could not be easily painted; every factory original DeLorean looked virtually identical. Some dealerships painted their cars on delivery to help make theirs more distinctive. DeLorean Motor Company was testing the use of translucent paint to help provide different color options on the cars while also allowing the stainless steel grain to show through, but no cars were sold with factory painted body panels. The only factory option initially available was an automatic transmission. A grey interior was offered later in 1981 as an alternative to the standard black interior. Several accessories including pinstriping and luggage racks helped provide further individuality.

During 1981, it was reported there were plans to have made a 4-door version of the car (perhaps on a longer wheelbase) for 1983. It was to have been of stainless steel, and with gullwing doors.

Downturn

The lack of demand, cost overruns, and unfavorable exchange rates began to take their toll on DMC’s cash flow in late 1981. The company had estimated their break-even point to be between 10,000 and 12,000 units, but sales were only around 6,000. In response to the income shortfall, a restructuring plan was devised where a new “DeLorean Motors Holding Company” would be formed, which in turn would have become corporate parent to DeLorean Motor Company and each of its subsidiaries: DeLorean Motor Cars Limited (manufacturer), DeLorean Motor Cars of America (distributor in the U.S.) and DeLorean Research Partnership (a research and development company). In January 1982, due to SEC questions about the company’s viability, the company was forced to cancel the stock issue for the holding company that DeLorean had hoped would raise about $27 million.

John DeLorean then lobbied the British government for aid, but was refused unless he was able to find a matching amount from other investors. What followed is a matter of debate between the British government, the FBI, the DEA, DeLorean, his investors, and the US court system. At some point in 1982, John DeLorean became the target of an FBI sting operation designed to arrest drug traffickers. He was arrested in October 1982 and charged with conspiring to smuggle $24 million worth of cocaine into the US. The key element of evidence for the prosecution was a videotape showing DeLorean discussing the drugs deal with undercover FBI agents Benedict (Ben) Tisa and West, although DeLorean’s attorney Howard Weitzman successfully demonstrated to the court that he was coerced into participation in the deal by the agents who initially approached him as legitimate investors. He was acquitted of all charges, but his reputation was forever tarnished. After his trial and subsequent acquittal, DeLorean quipped, “Would you buy a used car from me?”

In the end, sufficient funds could not be raised to keep the company alive. The DeLorean Motor Company went bust in 1982, taking with it 2,500 jobs and over $100 million in investments. The British government attempted to revive some usable remnants of the manufacturing facility without success, and the Dunmurry factory was closed. DeLorean himself retired in New Jersey, and the dream with which he had mesmerized Britain’s Labour government, of industry rising out of the ashes of Northern Ireland’s sectarian conflict, was shattered. He claimed that the DMCL was deliberately closed for political reasons, and at the time of closing was a solidly viable company with millions of dollars in the bank and two years of dealer orders on the books.

Approximately 9,000 cars were made between January 1981 and December 1982, although actual production figures are unclear and estimates differ. Some of t
he cars manufactured in 1982, but not shipped to the states (as the US arm of the DeLorean Motor Company had no money to ‘buy’ the cars from the factory in Northern Ireland), with 15XXX and 16XXX Vehicle Identification Numbers are actually 1982 models that were given later VINs, dated 1983, by Consolidated International (now known as Big Lots), a company that had a buyback program with DMC and had bought out the remaining unsold cars and also the inventory of unused parts left in the factory after the bankruptcy.

Today

A large number of the original cars are still on the road after over 25 years; most estimates put it at 6,500 cars surviving out of just over 9,000 built. There is an active enthusiast community around the cars, with strong owners’ clubs. A number of businesses were set up after the demise of the DeLorean Motor Company to provide parts and service, and most of those are still in existence. In particular, DeLorean Motor Company (based in Humble, Texas), operates under entirely new ownership. It acquired the original company’s assets, now owns trademark and copyright registrations for the brand and the DMC-12 automobile, and inventories the largest remaining original parts stock from the factory, US stock and original suppliers.

Many aftermarket improvements have been offered over time to address some of the flaws in the original production cars, and to improve performance. A common opinion of the car is that in stock form it is somewhat underpowered, and a variety of solutions have been implemented, from complete engine swaps (either to a larger PRV engine, or to completely different engines such as the Cadillac Northstar engine), turbocharger kits (single or twin-turbo), down to simpler solutions such as improved exhausts and other normal engine tuning work.

As of 2006[update], one can buy DeLoreans built from the ground up using a combination of new, original and reproduction parts for US$42,500, while unrestored but good condition vehicles run from about US$20,000 upwards.

Despite being cleared of all drug trafficking charges, DeLorean still had to battle many legal cases (stemming from the company’s bankruptcy) well into the 1990s. He declared bankruptcy in September 1999 and was evicted from his New Jersey 434-acre (1.76 km2) estate in March 2000. Later trials and lessened demands for cars led to the shutdown of DMC. He died of stroke complications at 80 years old on March 19, 2005.

On December 3 2009, DeLorean Motor Company released a collection of t-shirts and hats in collaboration with streetwear brand The Hundreds, featuring modernized images of the DMC-12 in Los Angeles culture based graphic designs. The collaboration project also includes a special edition DMC-12 painted in The Hundreds recognizable JAGS pattern in black and flat black which will be also for sale on December 3, 2009 and displayed at The Hundreds flagship store in Los Angeles the entire day.

In August 2007, it emerged that due to demand for the DeLorean DMC-12, it could go back into production. Businessman Stephen Wynne has purchased all the remaining parts for the car and plans to build them in Houston.

See also

John DeLorean

DeLorean DMC-12

List of notable business failures

List of defunct United States automobile manufacturers

Logan Machine Company, the snowcat company owned by John DeLorean

Thiokol sold DeLorean its snowcat division in 1978

References

^ a b DeLorean Motor Company Home.

^ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis – Consumer Price Index Calculator.

^ Misc. Information / Pictures.

^ BBC News.

^ “DeLorean cars to be reborn”. Belfast Telegraph: p. 4. 2007-08-21. 

Further reading

John Z. DeLorean, Ted Schwarz, Delorean, Zondervan (September, 1985), ISBN 0-310-37940-7

Ivan Fallon, James Srodes, Dream Maker: The Rise and Fall of John Z Delorean (November, 1985), ISBN 0-399-12821-2

William Haddad, Hard Driving : My Years with John DeLorean (August 12, 1985), ISBN 0-394-53410-7

J Lamm, DeLorean Stainless Steel Illusion, 2nd edition (2003), ISBN 0-9744141-0-7

R. M. Clarke, Delorean 1977-1995 Gold Portfolio (December 28, 1995), ISBN 1-85520-331-6

External links

DeLorean Motor Company at the Open Directory Project

Categories: Sports car manufacturers | Corporate scandals | Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Michigan | Companies established in 1975 | Companies established in 2007 | Companies based in Detroit, Michigan | Companies disestablished in 1982Hidden categories: Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2006 | All articles containing potentially dated statements

In the 100 plus years in the history of motor cars there has probably never been a period of such uncertainty regarding how to power our vehicles.

Fossil fuels, i.e. petrol and diesel, are under attack from the environmental lobby because of their history of carbon gas emission levels, the oil industry  however has responded well to current demands for cleaner fuels and also in improving the mpg attainable.

The new non-fossil fuel systems being introduced e.g. gas and electric, have not proved their worth yet, and unless you’re only doing a 10 mile or so round trip, are of no real use.

This week there is a prediction that the electric bubble will burst due to its slow progress in maturing into a serious source of power for anything but local journeys, plus the whole support infrastructure for either re-charging points or battery exchange/charging will take some time to be fully set-up nationwide.

As mentioned earlier the development of far more economical running of petrol and diesel engines is now a big factor against buying a hybrid version of either petrol/elect or diesel/elect hybrids, whose electric motor side of the combination equates to rarely more than 50 miles range and for that will cost anything between £4k and £8k more to buy such a model.

Common diesels cars these days are far more economical than they were, emit less carbon gas emissions and are more environment friendly.

It is more the norm these days to attain an average of 50mpg, even 60mpg and not uncommon in some smaller diesel cars to obtain over 70mpg. In fuel terms over the last 10 years if you take the over 70mpg as an example you would only require 1 gallon of diesel today for every 2 of petrol previously. That is a great reduction nationally in our dependency on oil imports.

An excellent example of fuel frugality was illustrated in a recent test run using a Volvo S80DRIVe with a 1560cc diesel engine.

Volvo set up the run from their HQ at Marlow, Buckinghamshire, to Malpensa airport Milan, a distance of 814.63 miles; the challenge – to drive there on a single tank of diesel. Volvo’s official consumption figures for the S80 indicated it should have a range of 888.46 miles, if the combined mpg figure of 57.7 was correct.

Suffice to say that with careful driving and using cruise control the S80  arrived with a quarter tank of fuel remaining, enough to complete another 175 miles, which would indicate a total drivable distance of over 1000 miles.

With the possibility of further diesel and petrol engine improvement no wonder the viability of the electric car is being questioned; gas cars are another matter altogether.

Bill Williams

www.thecarhub.net

 

Motor Scooters For Sale In USA

 

Looking for a quality scooter at a great price? Or maybe you are looking for a scooter to give your child as a birthday present. What ever the case may be, you can find the perfect scooter for whatever your needs are.

Follow This Link To See Scooter reviews- There are all different styles, sizes, and prices to choose from:

Motor Scooters For Sale In USA

Scooters – Perfect For The Current Times





There are many different reasons to buy a Scooter. Motor Scooter’s are quickly becoming the prefferred method of travel for those of us who live in urban /or city area’s. Think about it, what other way can you legally maneuver around mile long traffic jams? Or what about if you need to make a quick trip to the local store for household needs while the husband or wife is away from the house?

Owning a Scooter is a great way to keep things simple. 1 of the most common Scooters,called the Trikke 3 Wheel Scooter, can actually fold up and fit into its own carrying case! Totally amazing. And the great thing about the Trikke is the fact that it comes in Electric, Gas Powered, and Gravity powered. You can even get a refurbished one as well, high quality refurbishing is a trademark of the Trikke. You can find reviews on the Trikke by following the links in this article.

Another great reason for buying your own Scooter is completely financial. Right now we are all facing tough economic times. Even for those of us that still have our same jobs, things can still be a little tricky. And we hoestly never know when our own company or business might take a hit. Thats what makes owning a Scooter a great financial option. Gas costs next to nothing with a Motor Scooter. And its quite fast as well, reaching speeds of around 50 mph! Not to mention the cost of insurance. many of them do not require insurance – or even a license in some cases. But thats just the gas powered motor scooter.

Many people still prefer the electric style scooter. Yes, they might be a little slower, but even at the slower speed opf the electric scooter, a person can still make quick trips to the corner store or friends houses or even work if its not too far away. And just like the gas powered motor Scooter, the electric Scooter takes virtually no maintenance. maybe a tire or some oil in the Motor Scooter. These Scooters are very convenient, they create such a great option for local travel, its no wonder that they are flying out of the local scooter dealerships. Honestly though, you dont have to worry about going to a dealership.

Buying a Scooter online is easier than ever. And you can find so many more options, at great prices. Its hard for a local business to offer prices that can be found on the Internet. When you buy online the companies can offer great deals, due to the fact that they do not have to order them first, and then charge you extra because of there own shipping fee’s.

Online Scooter stores can even offer free shipping in most cases. Its a win-win situation for the seller -and the buyer.

If you would like to see the full range of Scooters available you can check out the Scooter Specialists Website by following the link up top or below in the Author Resource Box. The Scooter Specialist wensite has reviews of every type of Scooter – from Electric and Gas Powered to 3 Wheel Scooters and refurbished one as well. They are all listed, just pick the style you want to look at, and bam! Instant review.