Units 20-21 White Road
Charfleets Industrial Estate
Canvey Island
Essex
SS8 OPQ
Tel: 07731 545857
We owe thanks to Nick Fulcher who really gave us this Chronology, along with info and pictures. Also Jim Prentice, and Chris Parnham, who we owe serious thank you to for many rare pictures. Big thank you to John Mountain for allowing us to share is unique images of D1 and D2.We have lots of other pics and info, however at this time we can not share, its our hope that in time this Chronology can be completed for everyone's reference. Its the only one on the Internet.
Our respects goes to Nick Fulcher, and Jim Prentice family's, two brilliant men who have sadly passed
D1A was an automatic transmission and was the name given to the second Bill Collins prototype, which was shipped from the US to Lotus for evaluation. The car had a silver Interior Believed destroyed in 1998
After considerable research we have not been able to get a final answer on this cars fate, Hope is still strong one day the car may surface.
PAVE Car D1A (Second Prototype)
Lotus Built cars
D2 is believed to be a fiberglass paneled, red painted, manual transmission with in the Styling of Bill Collins Prototype 1 and 2
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Pilot D2 (Or Doris 1 ) was a Lotus in house prototype, used to for durability. The car was run extensively in reverse without any issues being reported.
As can been seen in the picture, the Main instrument cluster survived which we were able to purchase and restore without losing any history of the part.
Development Car D2 Manual Transmission
D3 was constructed not long after D1 in 1979. It was a yellow painted car, Automatic transmission.
The paperwork we have shows this car was tested for new windshield wiper mechanisms and air conditioning units.
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The Center console design was also replaced with an updated design.
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Development Car D3 Automatic Transmission
Giugiaro Restyle
Development Car D4 Automatic Transmission
D4 Underwent attention to prevent leaks in the A/C system
D5 is believed to be the first Delorean produced by Lotus to carry stainless steel panels
D5 Manual Transmission
Notes: D5 NVH Investigation: A material to was affixed to the bulkhead with meets engine bay fire regulations is available from “Bestobell Ltd” A sample was promised for 24th November 1980
A good Friend and ex Lotus/DMC employee Jim Prentice provided these pictures via Mark Bourne for us to share, along with many stores on the development build program.
D5 was a manual Transmission and was developed for NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) testing. Paperwork we have shows development of the car was delayed by a shortage of rear hubs, trailing arms and Stub axel nuts.
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Wind Noise assessments to be made at MIRA wind Tunnel on 20th November 1980 with all seals now fitted
Fibreglass bumper, note no delorean logo
Development Car D6
D6 was an automatic transmission and was the second 1982 development car. It was fitted with an engine from a white Volvo and completed on 17th November 1980.
Pilot Seat Design
Development Car D7
D7 was a manual transmission and was at an almost completed stage by June 1980. It was at this stage in the program that Peter Allinson brought to Mike Loasby's attention that all preceding Lotus prototypes were gaining weight.
D7 was road tested heavily by Lotus engineers and by the the Scottish highlands.
After this testing the drivers complained about the current seat design, it was at this point seat revision was looked into.
​The Car was at Mintex for an Investigation into brake noise
Development Car D8
D8 was a manual Transmission and was sent to Renault on 24th of November 1980 for assessment and fine tuning between the transmission and drive train.
Development Car D9
D9 was a automatic Transmission and was sent to Bosch in Stuttgart, Germany for assessment. Bosch reset the ignition timings and cured some of the earlier engine issues. This Car has survived! and is located in the US.
Development Car D10
D10 was a manual transmission and was used for testing the 1982 fuel economy.
Development Car D11
D11 was a manual transmission and was used for testing in Luxembourg. the car was fitted with new construction tires and test fitted for ride and handling. A number of the new tires were brought back to England to equip the 50,000 mile endurance cars.
Development Car D12
D12 was a automatic transmission and was shipped to Harrison's in Buffalo, New York for testing in climatic chambers. This car was then transported to the New Jersey Quality Assurance Center, where we was told by a Ex Lotus employee was used for parts .
The interior of this car found its way into D9. Picture Credit goes to Chris Parnham, who's book along with Andy Withers, covers this car in great detail
Development Car D13
D13 was a manual Transmission. The interior of this car ended up in Pilot 19
Pave Car: Cracks found in Chassis on arrival at Hethel on 12th November 1980. This warranted the fitment of a new strengthened chassis and repair to rear mounting points in the body. New Fully functional doors were fitted and the car returned to PAVE on 17th November 1980.
Development Car D14
D14 was a automatic transmission and was used for 50,000 mile durability testing. The car had some issues with the tires rubbing against the front fenders. As a result the car was recalled to Lotus for adjustments.
This car was also the first to trial the new hood mechanism which was taken from Fiat. The Battery was located in the font luggage compartment.
After 29,000 miles the car was taken back to Hethel for a new Motorola 90 Amp alternator and new construction tires. The car was recalled once again the replace the rear shock absorbers on 20th November 1980.
Development Car D15
D15 was a automatic transmission and was also used for 50,000 mile durability testing. After 13,000 miles of testing a new 80 Amp Ducelier alternator was fitted along with new construction tires. The notes we have notes the car was swapped to a manual tranmission during the 50,000 mile testing.
Development Car D16
D16 was sent to Legend Industries which required only the rear end of a Delorean. It was decided to cut Pilot 16 in half, and send over both the rear tub, and frame to Legend.
The rear section of the frame now resides with PJ Grady Inc. The rear tub was sold at auction, and it was believed to have been cut up.
Development Car D17
D17 was used for crash testing at Lotus. The car was attached to a 'rotisserie' type machine, which suspended the car upside down. the car was also used for side impact testing. It failed on fuel leakage around the fuel filler cap, and the fuel sending unit.
Development Car D18
D18 was first intended for Us EPA emission testing, but developed a fault with the drive train. D19 was its replacement. It is believed that parts from this car was installed on D19/20/21 then destroyed by lotus as the pilot program then shifted to DMC Ireland
D19 is a Manual transmission . She was shipped from Lotus to Olsen Engineering (US) for the US EPA emission testing for 1981 certification along with D20/21
After the Factory closed the car was sold off at auction along with D20/21 in an attempt to recover owed to Olsen by DMC
Half of this car is D3 being all of the running gear/Frame. And Interior being that of D13 Now Owned By PJ Grady Europe.
Development Car D22
Pilot D22 was the first pilot car build in Ireland. It followed the previous builds from Lotus.
Development Car D23
No Information is known about this car, apart from durability testing.
Development Car D26
No further information is known.
Development Car D27
No further information is known.
Development Car D28
Pilot 28 was shipped to California to the quality assurance center under Dick Brown, who commented on the quality of the car, hailing it a success!
P28 Marked the end of the Pilot build phase. The next car to be build was Vin 500.
