1982 DeLorean DMC-12 review from North America

Well, when I bought it from a fellow last year, it had some very bad body damage, and the engine was blown. The damage was from him and his neighbor backing out at the same time and wrecking, or so he says. The engine apparently over-heated and was destroyed, this being AFTER the body damage, which I find strange.

When I bought this car, it was a wreck.. i longed for one and this seemed to be the opportune moment for the project I always wanted, so I took it. I never got to drive this car with the original engine in it, I took his word on it being slow. After I got it back from some specialists in Detroit for the body work, I took the engine from my wrecked Aurora, the 4.0L Northstar V-8 and installed it. However, this was NOT an easy task. First, out came the original engine, which was caked in old oil and water and all sorts of junk. Then the transmission was removed. The car without engine and transmission was sent to a welding specialist and with the measurments, mounts and brackets was fitted for the V-8. Once back to my shop, in goes the Aurora engine, transversly mounted, which was a hard one. Then after that, I replaced EVERYTHING, belts, alternator, brakes, and such.

It was an interesting feat, but it all worked out and the ride now is extremely rewarding. However, just for comparison purposes, I really would have liked to drive the original car. As it is, with the V-8, THIS THING IS FAST! At the track I got a time of 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds, which in my opinion is fast.

The handling is very precise for an old car, and I do not see where people are getting that this car "wanders"...it does not. It drives straight, however it feels very heavy when trying to park.

On the inside, everything is in working order, the leather isn't bad, and some of the lights in the dash are no longer lit. That is my next project.

The exterior is also very good, once I got it fixed. Its interesting though, because the new rear panel is much shinier and not at all faded like the original ones. Does anyone know of any product that can shine this up?? I really am afraid to use anything powerful because I'm not sure of what it would do.

Now, I do feel bad for ruining the originality of this beauty, but given the circumstances, I saw no reason to find an original replacement engine, when I had another that would fit sitting in my driveway!