Pinto parts?
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Pinto parts?
- From: senatorpack@xxxx
- Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2001 18:59:46 EST
DML,
The DeLorean has Ford Pinto Front lower control arms?
Are they similar, i.e., look the same but different sizes and specs?
OR
Are they exact, i.e., part is totally interchangeable, exact match?
AND
Why would installing a Pinto lower control arm or steering rack, on the
DeLorean make it a better handling car?
Why not purchase original or restored lower control arm(s) or steering racks
from the DeLorean suppliers?
Additionally, there were three US DeLorean prototypes built by Triad
Industries in a suburb of Detroit. I remember Bill Collins, the early chief
engineer say, the only Pinto components were in the first & second prototypes
built in late 1976 and early 1977. This first prototype was semi --
nonfunctional, just a parameter to build another functional DeLorean
prototype for further engineering purposes, and attract investors like
Allstate Insurance etc. (This is not the wooden styling mock up.)
The prototype made famous on the cover of the July 1977 Road & Track, had
the incomplete pinto steering rack from the first prototype. The second
prototype's front end was used again to make the third and last US made
prototype. The second and third prototype was used in the promotional
dealership film, circa 1977. In the film there is a picture of a group of
suspension components, non of which made it to the actual production car.
When Lotus won the engineering contract in 1978, Colin Chapman founder of
Lotus, had Team Lotus (racing dept.) and Lotus Cars LTD (production dept.)
engineers' work together to develop a first class suspension and chassis for
the Esprit S3 and DMC. (Chapman was quoted saying "this [chassis &
suspension] is the best they have designed.")
Lotus engineering the DMC backbone chassis and Esprit S3, front and rear
suspension and VARI underbody, evolved the DMC & Esprit into a real
production cars far from the US built prototypes and early S1 cars.
Michael
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