Until recently, this 1981 DMC DeLorean had occupied the same spot in the previous owner’s garage since 1993. This lack of action makes it unsurprising that its odometer shows only 14,000 original miles. The seller has revived the DeLorean, allowing the new owner to add the finishing touches so that it reaches the point where they can slip behind the wheel and head into the sunset. They have listed this garage find here on eBay in Clermont, Florida. Bidding has raced to $28,988 in a No Reserve auction.

It is no exaggeration to say that many millions of words have been written about the DMC DeLorean, and the man who not only breathed life into it, but was single-handedly responsible for its downfall. One thing that many people agree upon is that not only is the stainless steel exterior eye-catching, but it is exceptionally difficult to photograph. It can easily look patchy in unfavorable light, which appears to be the case here. However, scrolling through the gallery in the listing shows no evidence of significant problems or panel damage. The seller states that there is no rust, which is unsurprising when we consider the car’s history. The urethane bumpers are in good order, the glass is clear, and the photos indicate that the distinctive gullwing doors are held firmly in the raised position by the often troublesome support system.

The DeLorean was far from a cheap car when it left the factory, and the inimitable “John Z.” wished to ensure that buyers felt special whenever they slipped behind the wheel. Therefore, leather trim was standard fare, along with air conditioning, power windows, power mirrors, a leather-wrapped tilt/telescopic wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player. It appears that the factory stereo has made way for an aftermarket Sanyo unit, but that is the only obvious change. The interior condition is consistent with the claimed odometer reading, with no evidence of significant wear or abuse. The outer seat edge condition is particularly noteworthy, with the same true of the carpet near the door openings. Both are prone to deterioration, but there are no such problems here.

Many people have written about how much better the DeLorean could have been if the company had successfully negotiated a supply of Wankel rotary engines, rather than the heavier 2.8-liter V6 that eventually found its way into the vehicle. The car wasn’t particularly heavy, and the syrupy smooth rotary would have placed less weight over the rear wheels. However, I think that many would have found the inherent lack of torque generated by the rotary when compared to that delivered by the six not to their liking. The seller supplies a link to this YouTube video, providing some history of the vehicle while under the care of its previous owner. It also demonstrates that the engine starts and sounds healthy. The buyer faces a few tasks to return the car to a genuinely roadworthy state, but it appears that none of these will be difficult or expensive.

There is a wonderful symmetry about this final photo, representing, as it does, two of the most iconic vehicles to sport stainless steel bodies. One was unloved when new, while only time will tell whether the other will achieve the type of cult status now enjoyed by this 1981 DMC DeLorean. The intense action it has attracted confirms how the once unloved has become a must-have item in the current classic world. It is only days away from finding a new home. Are you tempted to make it yours?