[DML] Re: Peter Chant... the fella responsible for our epoxy?

["natesky1980" <ncskalsk@xxxxxxx>]

I wonder if the basic point is that, no one here was involved in the 
conversations that led to the decision to not pursue ERM, therefore 
who's really to say?  IMHO it likely wasn't worth the effort and risk 
of incorporating it into an already inherently risky project.  Early 
proof-of-concept simulations and modeling of ERM structures likely 
further demonstrated that this was not a production-ready 
technology.  Besides, Lotus was already going out on a limb to 
develop the car, almost from scratch and in a short timeframe (the 
proto was neat but hardly a useful basis for production), they likely 
didn't feel a need to do things too differently than they were doing 
at the time with the Esprit and pressured DMC to let them do 
things `their way'.

I don't feel it's fair to conclude the Elastic Reservoir Molding 
is `weak' when compared to `steel', it's really not this simple an 
evaluation at all.  I'm the wrong kind of engineer to attempt 
explanation, however it is very possible the ERM could yield a car 
that provides superior impact force resistance and pound per pound 
could be stiffer (resists compression) than some metal based uni-
body/frames.  It really is a very interesting construction 
technology.  

Personally, given the result, I wonder if it would have made more 
sense for DMC to have worked with Lotus to mass-produce the Esprit 
(under the DMC name) incorporating the safety/cosmetic ideas of John 
Delorean (Gullwing/stainless skin).   Its arguable that's what pretty 
much happened anyway.  The business case wouldn't have been 
as `exciting', but it would have greatly reduced risk and given the 
company some pedigree/experience.  Just my view 26+ years later.  
Hindsight is great eh?  

-Nate
11501




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