The DeLorean Legacy Project: Tony Vallelunga

When people look at a car, they tend to immediately associate it with a brand or maybe just a family name: Ferrari, Porsche and DeLorean come to mind. But in actuality it takes hundreds of people to make a car truly come to life. From the imaginations of designers to the complex calculations of engineers and programmers down thru the manufacturing process with the tool & die teams, chassis builders as well as assembly and quality assurance … and everything in between. 

With well over 40 years experience in the heart of American automaking in Detroit, our guest has seen it all. And in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s he could be seen running what was at the time, a state of the art 1200 ton hydraulic press, the largest of its kind in any plant. It was his job to take new development dies and make them into parts for a very special build. He fondly remembers getting the orders one day for “gull wings in stainless steel” suddenly realizing these parts were destined for the new DMC-12. 

With us tonight to talk in-depth about the manufacturing side of the Automotive business is Tony Vallelunga, Senior Director of Manufacturing and Quality at DNG Motors. 

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00:00 Introduction to BreakFix Podcast

00:54 Meet Tony Vallelunga: A Journey in Automaking

02:06 Early Influences and Education

03:23 First Steps in the Automotive Industry

04:12 The Art of Tool and Die

05:52 Challenges in Manufacturing

10:20 Innovations and Modern Techniques

14:24 Reflections on the DeLorean DMC 12

21:34 Body Dyes and Replacement Parts

23:06 Tony's Career Highlights

26:46 Manufacturing the New DMC

28:59 Challenges with Stainless Steel

34:14 Innovative Manufacturing Techniques

38:52 STEM Program and Education

44:53 The DeLorean Legacy Project

45:48 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

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