DeLorean Buyers Guide & Inspection Series. The Frame: the good, the bad & the ugly.

[@DanKidsYouNot]

Excellent work, Mike and Kevin--thank you both for taking the time to record and share! I worked with James to produce some of DMCH's newer how-to videos and love watching ones like yours... cannot wait to see more as I work toward purchasing my first DeLorean. ✊

[@michaelmcelhattan7238]

Hey Dan, your feedback is much appreciated. Thanks for watching.

[@veraciouspatriot4297]

Great video. Thank you!

[@michaelmcelhattan7238]

Thank you!

[@jaybud3646]

A most excellent video!

[@michaelmcelhattan7238]

Thanks Jay!

[@TXRED2000]

Great info!! the search begins to find my DMC 12

[@michaelmcelhattan7238]

Excited for you. Reach out if we can help!

[@rdm20fan1]

Great video!!!

[@michaelmcelhattan7238]

Thanks Bob!

[@DeLoreanDestiny]

Great information. Thanks for covering this topic.

[@HoodOrnament91]

Looking good, Mike!!!

[@michaelmcelhattan7238]

Thanks!

[@fernandobird2390]

Great video, super helpful in assessing mine with details I didn’t know before

[@michaelmcelhattan7238]

Great to hear its been helpful.

[@Jarvel5]

These frame shots are something new for me to look for. Wow. Stainless body doesn't rust, but the frame isn't stainless and it will rust lol

[@michaelmcelhattan7238]

Body if very resistant to rust. Frame is not.

[@RemmiGT]

Hey guys, i really like your videos. You put so much effort and time in explaining and this helps a lot! I just bought my delorean from the netherlands, now sitting in germany. It is one of the latest numbers with Vin 16xxx and has the additional thin black undercoat on the frame. Of course i checked your video before and also looked for a good frame. Overall my frame looks good from the underside. There are a few areas where i could easily chip the epoxy off, but underneath was just a little surface rust. No rust chips at all. The only thing i‘m concerned about: in the hollow spaces like those pillars of the engine cradle and the front frame between the wheels there is lots of epoxy chipping off on the inside (at least as far as i could reach in with my fingers). As i can‘t take a look inside i just felt for the surface and it doesn‘t seem that there is much rust underneath the chipped epoxy at all (most time a very smooth surface). But how do i deal with this problem? Is there any way to get out the chipped epoxy and what can i do to the „naked“ (maybe rusty) metal to prevent it from rusting? Thanks a lot in advance for your advice.

[@tekhelet777]

My wife and I just bought a DeLorean a few months ago. The frame is really rusty. I would say somewhere between the second and third frame you showed. Ironically I found a frame with almost no rust for sale near my house so I bought it. That frame came off a car that was in an accident though so it needs straightening. We are currently trying to get the body off the frame. Once we do we will decide if we are going to try to fix the rusty frame or fix the bent frame.

[@michaelmcelhattan7238]

Congrats on your purchase. Reach out if you need any help or advise.

[@NINAS_22]

I’m planning on buying a delorean

[@henrylercherasmussen5763]

Great Video. Thanks. If a Delorean has a frame that is as rusty as the one shown last. Is it then possible to buy a new frame?

[@jamespilcher5287]

You can buy decent used frames that have come from other cars, and there are also people who produce new stainless steel frames for them. I would imagine there are people who make new regular steel frames too

[@michaelmcelhattan7238]

Yes we do have several options if your frame needs to be replaced.

[@matthewbaker781]

So what's the best way to store your car? In a shop that has a granite floor? In a shop that has a concrete floor but a tarp under the car? Or on a lift up in the air?

[@michaelmcelhattan7238]

#1 is to avoid road salt. Next is to keep the car dry. Dehumidifier can be very helpful. Sealed concrete is preferred.

[@everestsdriveway366]

Hey guys! I'm 18 just finishing high school and I'm thinking of setting a goal to buy one of these! Obviously I won't be affording one anytime soon but I want to start building up a knowledge of these cars. Can any of you recommend a forum or something like that I can chat with people who own them and just start becoming well versed in these cars?

[@deloreannation]

There are lots of great resources out there for information on these cars. DMCtalk.org is the biggest forum site. There are also lots of Facebook groups to join that will help you along the way.

[@RabitShiny]

@@deloreannation Thx man, really thanks

[@tekhelet777]

The plate under the engine cradle and between the lower control arms up front are very thin. They get bent very easy. I was thinking of replacing mine with 3/16" material. Have you guys ever done this?

[@michaelmcelhattan7238]

We don't see the need to beef up the frame. To avoid any dents and scratches in the frame we place 3/4" plywood piece between the frame and floor jack or jack stands.