The total curb weight of a DMC-12 with a full tank of gas is 2,712 pounds, not exactly "fecking heavy." In fact during the initial stages of design (as far back as 1977 the ideas were brewing), John had intended the car to use a very efficient and much lighter Lotus 4-cylinder, but that went away. Type 304 stainless steel weighs about the same as carbon steel. (Incidentally, one guy who has converted his into a "time machine" ended up having to replace the original engine with a Land Rover V8 because of the stuff on the back.)
The 85mph speedometer was, just like the ludicrously high front end, the result of the company planning ahead, for federal regulations that were in the works and then never made it. Most DeLorean owners I know can drive their cars at over 100mph with the stock engine. Most, however, don't drive over 90 on a regular basis.;) A lot of owners have replaced their speedometers with 140mph or 170mph units.
Incidentally, a bad wheel bearing is noticeable and would be noticed before any track run of a car. It is not any more a common "sudden problem" on the DMC-12 than they are on any other car, but before any trial run on a track any vehicle should be inspected thoroughly from bow to stern. The fact that somebody "discovered" a bad rear wheel bearing before looking underneath to check makes me believe that the Tilley vehicle is, in fact, fleece for the masses. I'll take my stock 2.65 V6 any day.:)
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The total curb weight of a DMC-12 with a full tank of gas is 2,712 pounds, not exactly "fecking heavy." In fact during the initial stages of design (as far back as 1977 the ideas were brewing), John had intended the car to use a very efficient and much lighter Lotus 4-cylinder, but that went away. Type 304 stainless steel weighs about the same as carbon steel. (Incidentally, one guy who has converted his into a "time machine" ended up having to replace the original engine with a Land Rover V8 because of the stuff on the back.)
;) A lot of owners have replaced their speedometers with 140mph or 170mph units.
:)
The 85mph speedometer was, just like the ludicrously high front end, the result of the company planning ahead, for federal regulations that were in the works and then never made it. Most DeLorean owners I know can drive their cars at over 100mph with the stock engine. Most, however, don't drive over 90 on a regular basis.
Incidentally, a bad wheel bearing is noticeable and would be noticed before any track run of a car. It is not any more a common "sudden problem" on the DMC-12 than they are on any other car, but before any trial run on a track any vehicle should be inspected thoroughly from bow to stern. The fact that somebody "discovered" a bad rear wheel bearing before looking underneath to check makes me believe that the Tilley vehicle is, in fact, fleece for the masses. I'll take my stock 2.65 V6 any day.