Hello everyone!

This is my first update in about a year. I was hoping to finish the hovercraft in a few months after the kickstarter fundraiser but, as usual, I radically underestimated how much time, work, and money I would need to finish it. The good news is that I have put the funds to good use and the project is actually pretty close to being finished! I spent a lot of time building new gullwing doors to fit the new, stronger frame. I perfected the shape of the body panels so that it looks as close to a real Delorean as I can get it. I even bought the interior door panels from a real Delorean, made latex molds of them, and re-cast them out of light-weight fiberglass so my hovercraft now has imitation leather Delorean armrests! The new steering system is working very well, too. I also got the first coat of paint on it recently, and I'm really happy with how it turned out. The main things I have left to do are: install the timing belt that drives the thrust fan, wire all the electronics (engine starters, lights, dashboard accessories), make the new skirt to trap the air at the bottom, the second coat of paint, and various other details. I'm still not sure when I will be able to finish it because I have to work and save more money so I can have the time off to work on it. Luckily, I got a job as a crab fisherman this season, which should be able to pay for the rest of the work (I hope!). I will try to post an update when I finish each stage of construction that I have left. 

Regarding kickstarter gifts: I sent out all of the cd's and ferrofluid soon after the fundraising campaign (let me know if there was a problem or you didn't receive yours). I'm waiting to do the photos (and drawings) until the craft is done. Same with the rides (obviously). I still have everyone's name and information on the site here, and I will make sure everyone gets their gift in the end! I really appreciate all the help and encouragement I got through kickstarter, I really needed it! 

-Matt

Hello everyone!
It's been a very busy week and a half for me since the end of my kickstarter run and I am excited for things to slow down enough for me to get back to work on the hovercraft. The standard two week hold on the funds will be lifted in a few days and then I will be able to put the gifts together and send them out. I'll be sending each backer a message about how how the gifts will be sent out, so look for that in your inbox soon. Many people have asked for construction progress reports and so I'm thinking about starting a blog to keep everyone updated. Stay tuned for that.

That's all for now.

Thanks again for a dream come true!
-Matt

wow! Thank you everyone who has made this dream come true! I'm so excited, relieved, and happy to see it end this way, with 90 minutes to spare! I will post more updates soon.
Thanks again,
Matt

It is finally July 19th, which means that at 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time, my kickstarter funding deadline will pass. As of now I'm 86% funded, with only $760 out of the $5,500 goal to raise! I know there's that much support out there, but I need all the help I can get, so if you know anyone who might be interested in some magnetic liquid, a great CD, or a ride in a Delorean Hovercraft, please let them know ASAP!

I want to also send a huge thank you to everyone who has been so supportive throughout this whole process. I've been flattered and humbled by all of the kind words! Thank you.

One generous backer sent me a particularly memorable message which I will include here. I think it is a great piece of advice:

"Keep up the good work, and keep Up the attitude. I have learned through experience that 'Anything is Possible, However Impractical or Improbable', and anyone who does not believe that has no right in an engineering office.
I would only caution you against being a one hit wonder. As wonderful and engaging as your current project is, always keep thinking about your next project.
the best advice my father gave me, as cliche as it is, "Work to Live, Don't Live to Work". Make sure you have the means to afford your projects, and if you don't be prepared to pull the plug when the bills pile up. Life is so much more fun when you can make it work for you, rather than requiring you to work for it.
It is a delicate balance, and only few master it. I am not there yet, as my girlfriend will attest. Especially on my spending's on my Camaro.

Good Luck,
~Jon "

Thanks Jon!

And I thought you all might enjoy this timely cartoon from this past Sunday's newspaper:
http://www.cartoonistgroup.com/store/add.php...

-Matt

Hello everyone!

I'm having a really great day on kickstarter, thanks to some friends who have posted about my hovercraft on some blogs! The biggest ones are Jalopnik.com, Buzzfeed.com and Digg.com

If you want to help me out and have about 30 seconds to spare, you could go to the following links and vote for the posts about my hovercraft so it gets more exposure.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kzoopsf/hovercraft-delorean-1a1

http://jalopnik.com/5577308/student-builds-delorean-hovercraft-by-hand-doesnt-need-roads...

http://digg.com/autos/Student_Builds_DeLorean_Hovercraft_By_Hand

On each site, all you have to do is click on the email/envelope (see red arrows below) to send an email of the webpage to a friend! This will tell the website that people are interested in it, and I'll get more exposure.
If you have a facebook account, just click on the facebook logo and you can post a link to your facebook page.

simple!

I'd love to keep up this amazing momentum!

A huge thank you to my many new backers!