During my teen years, there was a local Chevrolet dealer that was also all-in with selling the DeLorean, having a stainless steel car in their showroom, plus at least a couple of others outside that they had painted. Being young and impressionable, I thought they were about the coolest cars ever, and now at 60, I still think they’re pretty neat! It was fun getting to see a handful when they were new and perfect, so I guess that’s how I’ll always picture them, even though that was a long time ago. While a few remain pristine, many do not, and this 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 here on eBay needs a restoration. If you’re up for the task, this unusual gullwing car is located near Adolphus, Kentucky, with the buy-it-now price set at $45,000.
It makes one wonder how this one got this way after only 2,610 miles on the road, but that’s what the odometer reads, and the seller says that this is actual. We get literally no clues or hints about where this one’s spent nearly the past 45 years, plus it doesn’t look like any effort has been made to wash off any of the grime outside. However, there’s good news to share, as the stainless steel panels appear straight. Another positive is that the gullwing doors are included, just not attached, so you won’t have to go looking for replacements.
After seeing the inside, some of the storage conditions in the past have likely not been the best, as the seats show quite a bit of wear and cracking for so few miles. The best interior news is probably that it’s mostly complete, so hopefully, some of the components will clean up and function. For those that don’t, a quick internet search should lead you right to the DeLorean Motor Company, which still offers a few NOS items along with a plethora of repros.
Unfortunately, the V6 is no longer running, although it is stated to still turn over. Two transmission choices were available, including a 3-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual, with this one featuring the latter. Hopefully, this unusual and rare car will get into the hands of someone who can make the needed repairs to get it back on the road, and it’s also important to note that the seller has included a make-offer button. Is this 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 one you’d consider taking on as a project?
It’s been a spell since my DeLorean story, so for the benefit(?) of new readers, in the mid 80s, I drove for a guy that had a flatbed, ( 1 of the only flatbed jobs I had) and a cabover IH Transtar, and I hauled a load of pipe to a steel warehouse near Cleveland. While the guy was unloading me, I noticed a car of some sort, way up on top of some pallet racks. I said, “what kind of car is that”? The guy said, “ever hear of a DeLorean? The boss bought 2, one he drove, and the other put away, it has like 14 miles on it”. I always wondered what happened to that car?
I think the movie, that I never saw, BTW, made this car more famous than it actually was in real life. I thought DeLorean was a genius, his private life was his was just that. While aquitted of all charges, it didn’t help his company none, and probably the most prolific, influential car guru of our time, faded into obscurity. Where are the “DeLoreans” of today? Designing cell phones?
By movie, I meant Back to the Future, and was unaware of a recent movie highlighting DeLoreans life. I don’t get out much,,,,the film, Framing John DeLorean( 2019) has a lot of facts, but true Hollywood form, I heard it adds a lot of schmaltz.
Howard, you’d have fun watching the movie! There are 3 in the saga, first one I find the most interesting.
Howard,
Delorean lived in NJ not far from where I grew up. I told ya’ll I grew up in NJ, in the country on a small farm. Everyone around us was wealthy. We weren’t.
Hollywood always has to add drama. As if there wasn’t enough drama in that man’s life.
I think you would get a kick out of the trilogy “Back to the Future” and the way the Delorean evolved and I guess de-evolved
“YOU MADE A TIME MACHINE OUT OF A DELOREAN?”
Mike Stephens…..
I too had pretty much the same experience. I was in my 20s, there was an abandoned Buick dealership and one day a whole lot of Deloreans filled the lot.
They were just being stored there, it wasn’t a Delorean dealership or anything. Probably around 50 or 60 cars sat there for months. Then one day they were gone. Poof!
“DONT WE NEED TO GET UP TO 88MPH? THERES NOT ENOUGH ROAD”
“ROADS? WHERE WERE GOING WE DONT NEED ROADS”
Thanks, I’m here every Friday night. Dont forget to tip your waitress.
I’ll show myself out now.
Hi Angel, been a while, was getting a bit nervous. Glad you’re okay. BTW, isn’t it rumored Hoffa is buried in a 55 gallon drum in Jersey? :0
I spoke to a Delorean owner at a car show, and he told me that there was a donut spare tire, but there was no place to put the flat tire once it was changed. Except sitting on the hood.
Personally, I wouldn’t pay 45K for the best Delorean out there, even if it came with Jennifer Lawrence in the passenger seat!
Its overall condition is abysmal, yet potential buyers are supposed to ignore what their eyes are telling you and accept that a picture of the speedometer is somehow proof of mileage. There is a reason the seller has such a low sell through rate, 82 listings, with only 1 sale over the last 90 days.
Steve R
We might have to change the name of Barn Finds to Delorean Finds.
This one looks like it’s been somewhere really humid.
Absolute balderdash on the 2600 miles claim, the wear on the seat bolsters and clutch pedal alone tell the real story. If you’re gonna lie at least make it plausible. 🤣
My guess is it has 2,600 miles on it when the speedo cable was disconnected…
$45k, no way! This thing is a disaster! When you can find a decent running examples for $45k this thing is going to sit for a long time. A car in this shape the mileage means nothing. I’m interested in the yellow car sitting next to it. Could be a Ford Corsul Capri, a rare site for these shores.
No way it has 2600 miles the interior is worn out and why would you take the doors off
On a visit to southern California I stopped by a shop which did electric conversions on a wide variety of cars, one of which was a DeLorean. Has to be one of the best options for this sad state of affairs.
2600 miles my a**. 45k for this pos. you got to be kidding me. i do not get this Deloren craze. people paying crazy money for these. parts car for sure but not for 45k
It seems like one of these comes out of the woods weekly. If you believe that mileage claim I have some prime swamp land in Florida I can sell you. $45K for a car that would probably need at least twice that to get it back into top notch condition. You know the old expression, a fool and his money are soon parted.
This car was up for auction on Copart a week or so ago. This auction flipper even used the copart photos. I don’t know what the ultimate price was on Copart, but I imagine less than $10K or so. The last car in this condition sold for about $8,500 on BaT…
Seats and carpet are worn out. Under hood is filthy and engine stuff disconnected. Tires are not original. No way 6,000 miles. I never trust a used car dealer. Period.
I have driven several of these. (Test drives after repairs. Brakes and clutch replacement. ) Not a terrible driving car, but not fast or extremely good handling. But still a pleasant car to drive. (Although I have never driven an automatic equipped car) But in my opinion NEVER WORTH $45,000 EVEN WHEN NEW! Like the fact that they are a different looking car. And I am a John DeLorean fan. The mileage claim is bogus and this car has been rode way too hard. I would not look twice at this car.
It appears BOTH doors are missing. That’s ok you can pick them up anywhere.
The $45k is a wet dream. I couldn’t offer anything outside of the 4 figure range and maybe only the middle of that. This is the perfect candidate for a sbc, nice 327 350hp motor or something…
I’m afraid that even an aluminum small block would make this even more tail happy. I would vote for a very hot rotary!
It appears BOTH doors are missing. That’s ok you can pick them up anywhere. LOL
If this guy is fishing then there’s something cleaning his bait off his line.
It probably broke down at 2600 miles and never ran again. Junk 🤮
Is that a water line on the driver’s side of the tunnel. This thing has been outside in the weather with the doors off, at least the Ebay ad shows they have them. And why is there trash inside the odometer? Too many zeroes in the ask.
From experience of a flood in a,car lot. The insurance companies total a new car if the water gets to the bottom of the dash. Easiest way to tell how high the water got is to pull a door trim card. Easy to see water mark on the inside of the door.