A 20+ year dream finally came (fully) true today. I picked up #10515 from DeLorean California!
Danny said it would be ready about 3p. I wrapped up what I needed to at the office and a buddy from work gave me a ride south. We got there about 2:30, but I planned on just hanging out, doing some emails and waiting for them. Instead, as we pulled into the driveway, there was Danny pulling MY car into one of the parking spaces in front of the shop. What timing!
I got out and he handed me the key and said “Wanna start it up?” So, within two minutes of seeing my car, I got in and started it up. What a thrill!!
My office buddy headed back home when I went inside to finish paperwork. But, while I was doing that, some friends from Seattle who were in town stopped by the shop on their way to the airport. I had hoped to have the car before Christmas, but DMC wasn’t ready. And they weren’t ready before New Years. So, my Seattle friends made a quick stop to see the car before they headed back. Again, the timing was perfect.
As we were looking the car over in the parking lot, some random people walked up and started asking questions about the car. It’s funny to me that within 10 minutes of ‘picking up’ my car, people were already asking about it. Then another 10 minutes later, a delivery guy parked and came over to check out the car before he delivered his packages. Craig and Jen and the kids took pictures and Craig became the first passenger in my ‘new’ 1982 DeLorean DMC-12. We drove down the street and came back. It was a blast.
Once they left, it was time to head out. It was just after 4p and I wanted to get to DMV to get the registration tags, now that the smog test had been completed. But first, gas. It’s been a while since I drove a stick, but I pulled out onto the road and hit the pedal. FUN! As I got out of the car at the Mobil station, two guys on the next island over immediately came over to the car with big smiles on their faces. I got a big smile too. It’s going to be so much fun talking to people about DeLorean.
I finished filling up, said goodbye and hit the 405N.
Luckily it was the reverse-commute from Huntington Beach back to Culver City, so the traffic wasn’t awful. The engine purred. I left the radio and phone off. I want to learn the sound and feel of the car. All new noises and clicks and whirs. Checking the mirrors to change lanes. Downshifting. Hitting the brakes a bit hard when the traffic slowed down, as I’m not use to the old-style master-cylinder-driven brakes anymore. Feeling the road in the steering wheel. This is a 30+ year old sports car. It’s a different feeling than anything else I’ve ever drive. It’s fun. And I’m so excited for this new hobby.
I got to DMV before they closed and got the tags. On my way back to the car, it was the first time I’d seen #10515 in a parking spot. I got a HUGE smile on my face and had to take a pic. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
