"its executives fixed on the idea of using the parts in a new, electrically-powered version of the car. Plans are to build between 350 and 400 electric DeLoreans, based on the company's current inventory of parts."
Perhaps in other "English" new has different meanings but in USA if car is NEW, it is new no two ways bout it !
Even if you build it from a stash of "old never before assembled parts" exactly what Mr. Shelby did years ago with two cars, and California court sent him packing out of CA as a part of suspended sentence that would have put him in Jail for 5 years if he did not ! (and that was only after team of lawyers was paid $$$$$$$)
(One reason Shelby is in Las Vegas now).
Even if you produce a vehicle in "series of one" and even if it is "re-manufactured" the law is very simple:
"Under Federal law, 49 U.S.C. 30112(a), a person may not manufacture for sale, sell, offer for sale, or introduce in interstate commerce any vehicle that does not comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) in effect at the time of the assembly of the vehicle. The manufacturer would also have to certify compliance with all applicable FMVSS."
But hey that does not stop FORD from offering 1964 FORD MUSTANG "original" licensed copy to those that really want to break the law, as it is nothing more than sheat mettal (just introduced today at SEMA in Las Vegas).
FOr one I do not make the laws just make other people aware of them, personally I strongly believe that two weel motorcycles should be outlawed if NHTSA really cared about saving even a single life - after all you are 45 times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident than in a car !!!
And I agree that people if they like to commit vehicular suicide should be able to procure vehicle other than motorcycle to do it in....
But again that is my opinion
But the fact that a new vehicle (any vehicle) MUST satisfy ALL the applicable FMVSS as of date of manufacture, if it was not so TATA would be selling NANO for $3,000 in USA already they only have 150,000 units unused anual capacity for it in India.
You may want to re-read the article. There is no new production; they are rebuilding the old stock (i.e 1980's rules). It is the only way that it could work. Too bad they arn't just rebuilding them to original and spending the extra money to get them to work for a change!
I wish them luck on this venture. The beauty of a car is in the owners eyes, and if some folks want to spend that kind of money on a car that is fine, as long as it is not my money being spent.
Half the fun of owning it is being the one who owns it. So don't be critical until you own one and drive it a while.
It is simple and easy to make paint adhere to brushed stainless with an absolute "death grip". All that has to happen is accidently spill an ugly color on it, and the paint will remain for a long time. Not eternity, but tens of years. The expolanation of just how I know that is a very sad tale indeed.
Oh, another example of the busy-bodies and gestapo ''Rule Makers''. I am personally offended by this nonsense. Given a statement of conformance or nonconformance, I _should_ be able to make a free choice of ''to buy'' or ''not to buy'' a modified 1980s motor vehicle. But, things are not as they should be so I am sure that busy-bodies and bureaucrats will do their part to thwart the efforts of yet another business.
Does everyone forget or did not all that many read it at the time. The car was not built of stainless steel but with fiberglass panels covered with a thin stainless steel foil for that nice bright metallic look and no painting. It would be difficult to get paint to adhere to the stainless steel.
I don't know about very limited production specialty items, but any real production automobile would have to be built to the safety standards in effect for the year of manufacture. Perhaps given that these are origional parts made for cars certified years ago, a good lawyer with the right connections may be able to get them grandfathered into the old standards. That would be fine for the manufacturer but less so for the vehicle occupants.
Where I live, solar recharging can be quite practical, but without a range of 60 to 100 miles, at freeway speeds, with A/C running in 110+ degree temperatures and no shade, it still wouldn't be useful for me. For the time being, a tank of liquid fuel is still the only practical way to carry the necessary energy for travel. People in Sun City can do fine with an electric golf cart to take them from their 55+ condo to the senior center, shopping center, and golf course. Unfortunately, many of them would not be able to get in and out of a DeLorean.
Being that the notice was dated November 31st, It kind of makes me think of the walking dead. It will probably be slower and awkward since it is going to be a heavy electric car.
I also wonder how it will handle a slippery slope of snow, perhaps better than the founder.
I am pleased to hear that there is some life in this now "Classic" car company and for the price and limited production will most likely do well.
I want to see a new improved aircooled Beetle with more horsepower and improved handling. There are enough aftermarket parts out there to do it.
The DeLorean is not my cup of tea, but I applaud their efforts. I believe that the owners had the vision to purchase the rights to the name along with the assets of DMC. Their plan to make use of a huge inventory of parts by building new cars was in the cards all along - although the switch to electric may not have been. If they deliver 'as advertised' [the track record for new EVs announcements vs. production is dreadful], they will be successful in a narrow, almost cult-like group of folks. They will exceed the proclaimed '50 cars max' before they ship the first unit.
As usual, the nay-sayers come out with "they should have done it my way". This is followed by the predictable "they are just using energy from a coal fired power plant", and some other "blah, blah, blah nay-saying". The truth is that they are "doing their thing, their way" and we have no business throwing stones at them.
The 'technical doubts' about a controller are amusing - folks have been building automobile electric motor controllers for years. Maybe that is why they partnered with someone else on the drive train.
I will be very impressed if they meet their weight goal - a sub-3000 lb EV conversion with a serious battery pack would be a major accomplishment. Especially when compared to the "professionally designed Leaf" at 2 tons+.
I look forward to 'hearing' and seeing more from DMC.
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