Building a successful car is surprisingly easy. All a manufacturer must do is produce a vehicle with, at worst, inoffensive styling that features proven mechanical components and sound engineering. Pricing it competitively helps its cause, but if the vehicle in question features styling that ignites passion, the path to success is almost guaranteed. Automotive failure, on the other hand, can stem from a wide selection of contributing factors. That brings us to the DMC DeLorean, a car that promised much, but failed to deliver on many fronts. However, time heals all wounds, and these have become quite desirable collectibles decades after the company collapsed. This 1983 example stands apart, courtesy of its exceptional originality and odometer reading of 1,543 genuine miles. The seller describes it as being of museum quality, and the images make it hard to argue that point. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting this amazing vehicle listed here on Craigslist in West Hills, Los Angeles. You could take it home once you have handed the seller $109,995.

The thinking behind the DMC DeLorean seemed sound enough, especially when it came from the mind of the same man who gave the world the Pontiac GTO. John DeLorean utilized styling penned by the legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro from ItalDesign. By adopting stainless steel panels and an epoxy-coated backbone frame, the car would not only look good but not be prone to rust. However, things would take a distinct turn for the worse when the mechanical specifications were finalized. The seller describes this as a museum-quality classic, and it is easy to see why. The panels look flawless, which is important when we consider that repairing bumps or imperfections is more complicated than applying some filler and a fresh coat of paint. The urethane bumpers haven’t discolored badly, and the wheels look perfect. There are no underside shots, but if this classic has been stored in a dry environment, it should be rust-free. The tinted glass is clear, and it appears there are no issues with the sometimes troublesome gullwing doors.

The highlight of this DeLorean could be its interior. It features Black leather trim that is free from wear and deterioration. The carpet is spotless, while the dash and console appear perfect. It is common to find these cars with aftermarket stereos, but this one retains its DMC-branded AM/FM radio/cassette player. The options list for these cars was pretty short, with the automatic transmission the only factory extra. Every other “toy” was standard equipment, including air conditioning, power operation for the windows, locks, mirrors, and antenna, a rear defogger, and a tilt/reach wheel.

Okay, it’s time for the crunch. The DMC DeLorean features bold styling that was often favorably compared with Ferraris from this era and the mighty Lotus Esprit. However, the car proved to be an overwhelming triumph of style over substance. John DeLorean originally envisaged a mid-mounted Wankel rotary or Ford V6 to power his latest release, but the best that legendary designer Colin Chapman could achieve on a limited time frame and a shoestring budget was to engineer the DMC to accept a rear-mounted 2.8-liter Peugeot/Renault/Volvo V6. The result was less than ideal weight distribution, with power feeding to the road via a five-speed manual transaxle. How much power? The company quoted a figure of 130hp with 153 ft/lbs of torque. The result was a “sports car” that covered the ¼-mile in 17.1 seconds. That figure doesn’t look impressive today, and it appeared less so in 1983 when even the meekest and mildest Lotus Esprit could complete the same journey in 15.5 seconds. This survivor has a genuine 1,543 miles on the clock and has been meticulously maintained. The seller acknowledges that some components can deteriorate due to lack of use, so has worked through a thorough process of reconditioning or replacing appropriate parts in the fuel and brake brake systems, and other components to ensure mechanical reliability. This car could still serve as a museum piece but is a turnkey proposition for those wishing to hit the road for some motoring fun.

If I had a penny for every article that has been written about the DMC DeLorean, I would have enough money to buy this 1983 example with plenty of change left in the bank. Few automotive failures have generated so much interest, but opinions have softened since the company collapsed in a smoldering ruin due to poor management and dodgy business practices. Values climbed consistently until 2024 when cars at the lower end of the market experienced a slump. However, this 1983 model sits near the top of the heap, but that raises the question of whether the price is justified. That is hard to state conclusively because opinions differ across various sources. Hagerty says yes, while NADA says no. The most telling result could stem from a successful sale only two weeks ago. An ’83 DeLorean with 2,400 miles on the clock sold for $72,000. Do you view that as a more realistic figure, or do you believe that the seller will find a buyer at their price?