DCS 2014 - Dayton Ohio

So DeLorean Car Show 2014 happened, and I've been too much of a giant slacking ziphead to post about it. And now there's no point because my buddy Manson has already done a super bang-up job of that over here.

Oh, what the hell. Here's my condensed (IE more pathetic) version.

Dayton Ohio's DCS 2014 featured a record 159 DeLoreans. This was Ken Koncelik's final show, and he went out with a bang: Bob Gale, Claudia Wells, Don Fullilove, Jeffrey Weissman, Harry Waters Jr, and Christopher Lloyd all attended.

Jordan Livingston continued shooting footage for his movie, Nick Sutton signed copies of his book and that guy who designed the Hot Wheels DeLorean (in his spare time) gave a presentation. A huge hit was Fairfield High School performing an astonishing Back to the Future musical for us, after which Harry Waters Jr. (Marvin Berry) performed Earth Angel. I cried. I mean clapped. I clapped. I applauded.

Under colossal tents our cars were corralled, to be judged by a thorough team of five. Prior to Saturday's judging, Chris Lloyd strolled through the tented area signing autographs, meeting old friends, and drawing on his own neck with a Sharpie. For a 3rd time he posed for a photo with me, and for a 3rd time he just stood there like a cardboard cutout.

I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm a loser.

Prototype 1 was there, for sale. It was offered to my friend Tom for $180,000, but he declined. Nobody offered it to me; I don't know why. (Incidentally, packing up my DeLorean Saturday night I overheard Jason Sharkey say it had sold, but I did not hear the name of the potential buyer. Leave me alone, I was tired.)

Out front Rich W. parked his 6-door DeLorean Limo alongside D-Rex and a kick-ass, screen-accurate Ecto-1. Some of the wonderment under the tents included an automated Tellus carrier from the DMC factory floor, Cliff Schmucker's gorgeous stainless chassis, and a mega-rare motorized DeLorean pedal car.

Despite all this awesome junk (including hover conversions!), there was a whole pile of stuff I missed. I spent far too much time cleaning and worrying about my DeLorean. It paid off for me, but I do regret not spending more time just hanging out with friends.

Volunteering at FanExpo 2012

Michael J. Fox's disease is terrible. It is the reason he founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research. Volunteering is not terrible. It is the reason I spent Friday evening and all day Saturday at FanExpo.

At this point the news is old. Sure, if I wanted I *could* just hit 88 mph in the Time Machine, go back and write this post before FanExpo, but I can't seem to get my hands on any plutonium. Sure, in 2015 I will be able to walk right in to my corner store and buy it, but for now I'm stuck.

So, back to FanExpo. My friend, owner of this amazing Time Machine, had a wedding to attend, so I volunteered to raise funds with his brother at the exhibit.

People usually go crazy for DeLoreans and there was no exception at this massive nerd-fest. Ok, don't get all angry that I just called it a nerd-fest. It's okay. I'm allowed to say that. I am one of you.

Besides, you know it's true.

Many commented that FanExpo was nothing more than a cash-grab these last 2 years, but said they were happy to see someone doing something for charity. Many were more than happy to hand over $20 to sit in the Time Machine and take photos. Some were happy to donate even more than that. To those people: thank you.

To the Hulk, who tried to rip the front bumper off the car, thank you for your donation. To the Staypuft Marshmallow (wo)man, thank you. To Doctor Who, thank you. To all the girls in their teeny tiny costumes, thank you, thank you, thank you. To those "inebriated" scientists, thank you. To Omni Television for helping spread the word about this car even further, thank you.

To Venessa in her Transformer DeLorean costume, thank you. To Marty McFly, thank you. To anyone not in a costume, thank you. To all the excited people who were happy to give to such a worthy cause and stop and chat for a bit, thank you. And to Christopher Lloyd coming to Canada and drawing even more attention to the Time Machine, thank you.

Even without Christopher Lloyd in the car lines were long and people's patience was tested. The rooms were hot, crowded and smelled of sweaty farts. So if you stuck it out and donated your hard-earned money, I sincerely thank you. Alternately, if you stuck it out and donated stolen money, I also sincerely thank you.

D-Rex Will Crush Your Face

Six years ago DCS Chicago celebrated the 25th anniversary of the DeLorean. It was the first DCS show I'd ever attended. I've now been to 4 shows, and the awesomeness hasn't dwindled.

D-Rex, the monster truck DeLorean returned to DCS 2012, and this time I got to see and hear it driving. Sure, it's not a true PRV-powered DeLorean: it's a DeLorean body on top of a Chevy 4x4 chassis. But it's huge, it's loud, and it's awesome. Alongside Rich's D-Rex was his Limousine with six, count 'em, six gullwing doors.

In addition to these two, the DeLorean Motor Company had the new DMC EV on display. You know the one. It's been all over the internet. The interior is updated and includes door launch buttons! It will purportedly use a 400 volt AC induction liquid cooled electric motor producing 260 hp (194 kW) and 360 lb·ft (490 N·m) of torque providing 0-60 mph acceleration of 4.9 seconds. Would you pay $90,000 for one?

The DeLorean prototype, named Proto1, was back again and owner Tony Ierardi announced it would be changing hands. Additionally, five unique-engined DeLoreans included the stage III supercharger (5 psi), a carbureted version, a Corvette LS1 engine swap, an Acura TL 3.2L engine swap and a turbocharged Toyota Supra inline six (2JZ) engine swap.

Back to the Future stars like Jeffrey Weissman (George McFly), Andrew Probert (artist), Kevin Pike (F/X) and writer/producer Bob Gale also joined in the fun. Claudia Wells (Jennifer Parker) even remembered my name - Marty. Should I be impressed? As if that wasn't awesome enough, Don Fullilove aka Mayor Goldie Wilson made an awesome surprise visit, awesomely posing for photos and signing (awesome) autographs.

Awesome.

Finally, making a very special appearance was the only screen-used DeLorean in private hands. The Time Machine from Back to the Future III was on display and, not surprisingly, drew a crowd.

Despite (usually) being the only Canadians at the DCS shows, we always have a great time and have made a couple of very close friends. If you weren't at DCS Orlando, you missed an amazing time and should plan on attending DCS 2014 in Dayton, Ohio.

Oh and if you recall, I was going to talk to James Espey regarding the unusual spare tire I have. Unfortunately it completely slipped my mind. Maybe he'll drop by my blog again with an answer.


DCS 2010
DCS 2008 #1
DCS 2008 #2
DCS 2006 #1
DCS 2006 #2
DCS 2006 #3

Celeb-Meeting Tool, the DeLorean

Other than stalking, owning a DeLorean is the easiest, most cost-effective way of meeting celebrities. Of course, there's the DCS shows each year usually attended by James Tolkan (link), Claudia Wells (link), and Jeff Weissman (link) of Back to the Future fame.

And then there's something else. Something a little more intimate. A small local group of DeLorean owners, one of whom is Pat Mastroianni.

Some of you non Canadians might be saying "Pat who?" while others may be yelling his name aloud in surprise, astonishment and glee: "Joey?!"

While attending our Tech Day I had the pleasure of meeting Pat Mastroianni, aka Joey Jeremiah of Degrassi Jr. High fame. Known for wearing a cool hat and being, well, cool, what what else could one expect than to find him wearing a cool DMC hat, driving an ultimately cool stainless steel DeLorean?

Yep. Mr. Mastroianni owns a DeLorean. (Black interior, grooved, no gas flap)

Somehow, I managed to pull into the parking lot and slip my rumbling DeLorean right in beside Pat's. Suz was the first to notice him exclaiming, "I think he's famous! When you introduce yourself, see if his name is Pat. If it is, he's from Degrassi!"

And that's pretty much exactly how it went down. For the next few hours, we all partook of the garage's most excellent free hoist, helping each other do a little maintenance. Even Pat himself got his hands dirty, literally. (Which wasn't really a big deal, because along with the hoist, we were allowed to use the sink.)

Outside, Pat admired my car. Specifically, the glossy paint job on the rear fascia. After 25-ish years of mechanics bent over the engine, his paint was worn & peeling. Somehow, having a celebrity compliment anything of yours makes that item a little more appealing. I wish I could've told him it was a local Toronto shop that painted the fascia. But the British Columbian shop that did the A-1 job is a little far.

While repairs went on around us, Pat helped me locate a bad relay bypass in my electrical panel. We both have the original 30-year old relays and decided they need to be updated before they fail.

It didn't take much for Pat to persuade President Ken to help him install a sweetass strut tower brace in his DeLorean. It was difficult for Pat to contain his excitement. The install took less time than a stalker scaling a fence and dashing all the way to the back door.

During Tech Day, he was just one of the guys, which is probably how he likes it. Eager to drive home and see how the car handled with the new strut tower bar, Pat left a little early. Was it just like Gran Turismo? I'll have to ask him at the next meet.

Claudia Wells Is #1

Celebrities sell. Watching my blog's stats I've discovered that the number 1 search that brings readers to my blog is Claudia Wells, aka Jennifer Parker from Back To The Future. I'm not sure if people are looking for information on her store, Armani Wells, 12404 Ventura Blvd., Studio City CA, 91604, Phone (818) 985-5899... or they're simply looking for a photo of Claudia Wells. Whichever they need, DMC&ME delivers! (As long as it's photos with me in them)

I first met Claudia in 2006 at the Chicago show, or DCS 2006. I talked with her a little bit, learned a little about her high-end clothing store, mostly by eavesdropping, and generally had a really great time.

This year, at DCS 2008 Gettysburg, things were a little different. Although the actors still mingled and chatted with us, there was also a strict schedule to stick to for things like signing autographs and taking pee breaks. And that is the reason I wasn't able to have James Tolkan, aka the awesomely strict Mr. Strickland, sign my copy of the Back To The Future trilogy. Suz and I were busy touring the battlefield Saturday, and I'm sure I'd be declared a slacker for not trying hard enough to make it back to the Hotel.

But I'm glad to say I was able to talk with Mr. Tolkan during dinner on the first night. However, I felt that he would've been more comfortable entertaining a crowd than having a 1-on-1 conversation with a stranger pointing a camera in his face in the middle of a field...with no police in sight. Now Jeffrey Weissman, aka George McFly (BTTF II & III) is a different story. It's safe to say Jeff has as much fun with intimate conversation as he does up on stage with a thousand ears listening to him. (And even more fun with frisbees in the pool.)

When he first approached me, I was a little shocked to see that Jeffrey (seemingly?) remembered me from the Chicago show. A few minutes later Suz, myself and Jeffrey boarded a tour bus bound for the battlefields of Gettysburg.

During our excursion we chatted a bit, and listened intently to our tour guide's enthralling telling of the one of the Grim Reaper's busiest 3 days ever. This is when I learned of Jeffrey's friend. A friend who, before passing away, had compiled a book of poetry written by U.S. Civil War soldiers.

Sensing our interest in the book which was just published a few months ago, he kindly offered to send us a copy. Before we left, he gave me his email address and offered to stay in touch. It was a fantastic way to end the DCS 2008 Gettysburg vacation.

Armani Wells website.

John Travolta's Boeing 707

If you need proof that it is his plane, it's right there on the tail section of the Boeing 707. The call letters N707JT: JT standing for John Travolta.

You may know the actor John Travolta from such films as Face Off, Pulp Fiction, or possibly even that little-known cult hit Grease. Never heard of it? Sorry. Well, anyway, a few days ago Mr. John Travolta flew in to our small rural airport, where I used to work, waved to the small crowd, then hitched a limousine ride to Toronto where he is filming Hairspray. It's due out in 2007.

Anyhoo, not many can claim ownership of a quad-engined Boeing 707b (or any other 200ish passenger airliner for that matter) and actually know how to fly it.

He purchased the massive jetliner from those kickass Aussies at Qantas, and has kept the paint job the same. He, himself, pilots the plane to pretty much wherever he wants to go. I haven't read very much about his plane, or his skills, or his obsession, but I've heard that he has converted some of the interior into bedrooms and bathrooms. Wild!

John flew his bright red and white 707 from his home in Ocala, Florida a distance of about 1,200 miles, or 1,920 kilometres, using up many gallons of jet fuel. I could cover that same distance in my Insight with less than 20 gallons of 87 octane fuel, which is less than two tanks.

For me, two tanks of gas costs about $80, at $1 per litre. John would have spent a little bit more than that. Such is the cost of 2.5 hours versus 2.5 days of travel.

So I drove my Insight, the Cadillac of Hybrids, up to the airport that is seriously in the middle of the country and snapped a couple of pics of his unique mode of travel. Anyone catch my witty John Travolta movie reference quote?

Oh.

The movie was Be Cool, which I never saw specifically because I didn't like Get Shorty. In fact, I didn't like it so much that I turned it off. Don't tell JT.

More Celebs At DCS 2006

How observant are you? Even if you look closely, you might not recognize the final celebrity I met at the 25th Anniversary of the DeLorean celebration in Chicago last week. With his adorable curls, I was totally surprised to learn that this was Jeffrey Weissman, who played Marty McFly's father, George McFly, in Back To The Future II and Back To The Future III.

George McFly, in the first Back To The Future movie, was played by Crispin Glover with his straight, greasified hair. This slick hairstyle was duplicated on top of Jeffrey Weissman's cranium in the sequels to avoid continuity flaws.

You might not have noticed the style of his hair so much in the second movie, as he spent pretty much all of it suspended upside down in some futuristic 2015 spinal therapy unit-type thingy, while Lorraine hydrated a pizza for dinner. In other scenes, recycled footage of Crispin Glover (who wasn't really given a chance to reprise his role) was used. He sued. He won.

Suz and I had a chance to talk to Jeff Weissman while we hung out next to Video Bob's BTTF booth. Mr. Weissman, dressed in an outstanding blue suit with matching pantaloons, told us of his grand adventures in Canada. When I asked him what he thought of Toronto, he gave the standard "it's a very clean city" response. A huge smile crossed his face when he told us how he was attending a game at the newly opened Skydome during the yes-that's-two-way-glass public sex incident. And as if his trips to Canada weren't interesting enough with that, he was also filming in Quebec back in the '90s when the snooty PQ were rallying and threatening to secede. We continued to talk for a very long time. It was enjoyable.

A few hours later, the final big event of DCS 2006 took place on stage. It was an auction of DeLorean and Back To The Future memorabilia, with none other than the comical Mr. Weissman performing the duties of head auctioneer. His hilarious antics and improv lit up the room and possibly helped bring in some extra cash for some slow-moving items.

Wonder what he's been up to? Was he really in an episode of Saved By The Bell?Check it out!

A Sight For Sore Eyes

Although I saw her many times during the DCS 2006 weekend, it wasn't until the last night that I actually met Claudia Wells, who co-starred as Marty McFly's girlfriend, Jennifer Parker, in the first Back To The Future movie.

In her sparkling gold dress, accompanied by her son who is addicted to 3M plastic picture hooks, she sat down for dinner at the table beside us. With mild butterfly-induced stomach-churnage, I clutched my copy of the Back To The Future trilogy and approached her.

"Hi Claudia. Sorry to bother you just before dinner," I said, "but I would love it if you could sign this for me." She very happily agreed to my request and prepared to sign the DVD case with a nifty black Sharpie. I giddily stood there, not expecting her first question: "And what's your name?"

I kind of laughed when I told her. "Marty" I said. Claudia Wells, aka Jennifer, did a double-take. "Really?" She asked. "Isn't that funny!"

"I know!" I laughed again.

And she signed my Back To The Future trilogy, underneath the english title, just to the left of the damn French title that, by law, has to appear on all Canadian DVDs.

Claudia Wells was cast in the first Back To The Future movie as Marty's awesome girlfriend. She's the one who warned Marty that Strickland was looking for him. She watched Marty's band get turned down in the auditorium, and she didn't get jealous when Marty got distracted by two aerobically-dressed girls in the parking lot. Here she is, sitting in the Mr. Fusion DeLorean at the end of the 1st movie.

When Back To The Future II came out, Claudia Wells was replaced by Elisabeth Shue. According to imdb.com, this was due to health problems. The opening scene of BTTF II was entirely reshot with Elisabeth Shue dressed in the same clothes, and uttering the same lines. Claudia's lines! When I was a kid, all I could think of was 'Booooooo!'

However, now that I've matured (barely), it doesn't bother me. Besides, it's not like Elisabeth Shue is hard to look at.

But during the weekend not one person mentioned Elisabeth Shue. I heard a few comments from guys such as "Who DIDN'T have a crush on Jennifer?" and other various "Claudia's hot" type remarks. Looking back at the movie, when she wrote her number for Marty, 555-4823, I wonder how many of those impressionable guys actually tried to call her. I didn't. But I asked my dad why they would show her number in the movie. "Everybody's going to be calling her!" I said.

Eat Lead Slackers!

James Tolkan , famous for his role as the nasty principal Strickland in the Back To The Future movies, joined the happy DeLorean owners for DCS 2006 in Chicago. Hilarious as can be, he started off the celebration by climbing up on stage and telling us that he saw a bunch of slackers driving Corvettes outside. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

Afterwards I ran over to his table so that I could meet this awesome guy and have my picture taken with him. When we learned he was about to celebrate his 75th birthday on June 20th, I realized just how long it has been since Mr. Strickland made that first impression on me back in 1985. Wow, what a mean dude.

You might remember how mean Mr. Strickland was, yelling at Marty "You've got a real attitude problem McFly, you're a SLACKER!" With Marty's sarcastic reply, the nasty Mr. Strickland leaned in closer. "...No McFly ever amounted to anything in the history of Hill Valley!"

This made such a strong impression on me as a 10-year-old kid named Marty. Strickland was so mean, and so great! The anger was so real you could taste it. What is it about the mean dudes that we just love?

But it has to be the second instalment of the Back To The Future franchise in which James uttered his best, and possibly most memorable line. In the alternate future 1985, Hill Valley is ruined and overrun by greasy punks. Strapped with ammo, the Ramboesque Strickland returns fire on his machine-gun toting assailants in style, shouting "EAT LEAD SLACKERS!"

I've always felt a strange connection to the Back To The Future movies, and therefore the actors involved too. I was dying to ask Mr. Tolkan to poke me in the chest and call me a slacker. With the name Marty, it just seemed so right. But I couldn't build up the courage to do it, even when, during dinner, he came by our table, patted me on the back and asked how I was doing.

When Suz and I told James we were from frosty old Canada, he seemed a bit surprised, as nearly everyone present was American. He told us about all the Canadian cities he has filmed in, and how much he liked our country. What a nice thing to say, for a nasty, evil principal!

He has also had roles in many other famous movies like Top Gun and The Amityville Horror, as well as 'Commander Cyrus Quinn' in one of my most favourite, most underrated, short-lived TV series ever: Nowhere Man. If you think James Tolkan rules, check out his long career. I put an easy link there for all you slackers who can't be bothered to look stuff up on your own.