Category: Interior

I started this post several weeks ago, and have since started using the WordPress thumbnail feature. I apologize for the strange post style.

My cabin lights were yellowed and feeling flimsy. The light above the parcel shelf was always hanging by its wire, and never seemed to fit. My goal is lights that are a little more modern, brighter, maybe bigger, but remain cheaper than NOS or 3rd party options. I removed the trim and headliners so I could begin exploring my options.

Parcel Shelf Light:

A unit I took from a junkyard Saab. I like how it’s trapezoid shaped, so it fits well with the shape of the parcel shelf:

Uses a festoon bulb:

A light I took from a junkyard Volkswagen Jetta:

Exact same length and width. The depth is shallower.

The LEDs I ordered from China:

Measuring amps:

With the Saab unit, I cut off the festoon bulb holder with a dremel, retaining only the lens. I glued on two of these panel lights behind the lens:

My recovered trim, with the new Saab light installed:

It works:

I prepped the VW unit with 600 grit sandpaper, and SEM Plastic & Leather Prep. Now for some SEM Landau Black Color Coat:

My painted (or dyed?) VW housing, and the new LED festoon unit ready to be used as my map light:

Installed in the headliner:

My new light is a big difference when compared to the old light! It’s a little more modern, yet subtle update. The new map rocks side to side. In the center position, it lights in courtesy mode with the doors open. Rock it to the passenger side, and it turns off. Rock it to the drivers side, and it’s a map light.

Installed:




Well I think I accomplished my goal. In my opinion, the lights look great, and they cost less than this light and a DMCH NOS unit (currently $74.95). I’m pretty proud of this.

Costs (shipping not included):

After spending most of the 1990s baking in the Georgia sun, my stock steering wheel had its leather peeling off:

Recovered steering wheels go for nearly $300. The new Momo steering wheels being offered cost $300, and looks great in DMC (Houston) Electric Delorean:

I found an alternative. This imitation wheel costs $35 on eBay:

Bought it:

DMC (Houston) sells a steering wheel adapter, but I tried to find a less expensive version. I bought a GM style steering wheel adapter off eBay. However, I found it needed to be cut down and new holes needed to be drilled:

Without the proper tools, and with car show season approaching, I opted to buy the more expensive adapter from DMC Midwest:

Everything installed:

I plan to create a DMC logo for the center of the wheel. This project ended up being more expensive than I planned. In the future, I plan to resell the GM steering wheel adapter on eBay.

**UPDATE 8/10/2013 **
DMC-H sold out of their steering adapters, creating a demand. I sold the GM steering adapter to another Delorean owner in Greece, who really wanted an adapter. The owner understood he would need to do some serious modifications to the adapter.

Costs: