DeLoreans have seemingly weathered multiple storms in the collector car industry without issue and they almost always appear sought-after even in rough shape. This is a DMC-12 with the preferred manual gearbox that is described as a project the previous owner lost interest in, and it’s being sold in as-is condition with no real attempt to shed light on the good, the bad, and the ugly. That may not matter to someone who is looking to get into a DMC-12 at a better price point than a restored example, especially with the potential upside in buying the more desirable spec with three pedals. Find the DeLorean here on eBay where bidding has reached $20,800 with a Buy-It-Now of $29,000.
Even without much info, the pictures tell the story that the DeLorean has been neglected for some time. Now, some rough spots on the finish for most project cars wouldn’t mean much, but we’re so accustomed to seeing DMC-12s in mint condition that finding out with some rough edges (and a discount) isn’t as easy to do as it once was. The seller claims this example sat in the previous owner’s warehouse for years before his son started messing with it, and after he lost interest, it continued to sit but now with evidence of components removed and not re-installed. It doesn’t run, of course.
The seats are rough and the door panels are gone; no sign of the shift boot and knob. The dash is cracked around the instrument binnacle, and it looks like there’s sand or dirt on the carpets. None of this alone is bad news, and it’s most superficial. Given how robust the enthusiast network is behind these cars – along with the factory support that seemingly grows stronger every year – there’s nothing here that can’t be fixed. I’ve seen this time and again as certain cars continue to lose value, it has more to do with lack of parts and network support rather than any profound flaw with the model in question. A DeLorean is a brand you can always restore given the support the model continues to enjoy.
The seller says this example is a good candidate for an engine swap, which I can’t decide is because he feels this engine is toast, or it’s just such a crummy engine that there’s no point in reviving one that’s been dormant for so long. I briefly owned a Peugeot with this mill under the hood, and while it was perfectly capable in keeping up with traffic, it’s not a motor I would want to overspend on fixing. Of course, the value in most DeLorean restorations is in the authenticity of the finished product, so rebuilding a numbers-matching mill may be the most sensible approach. How would you tackle this time machine restoration?
Doesn’t run? Just headbutt the steering wheel
You can get a reconditioned flux capacitor on ebay, cheap.
Cheers
GPC
Congrats on being the 1st to relate this to that corny movie. Sorry, Sci-fi movies do nothing for me, and almost a shame, such a cool car, by such a cool guy, has to have that moniker attached with every sighting. The only story I have with these is of similar nature. In the early 80s, I delivered a load of pipe to a steel warehouse in Cleveland, and noticed a car under a cover up on the pallet racking. I asked what that was, the guy said, it’s a DeLorean. He bought 2, one he drove, the other he put away, had 3 miles on it. DeLorean got a bad rap, like Pee-Wee Herman, and considering what that man did for our car culture, ( and perhaps what it took to be successful,, he just got caught) clearly he was a remarkable engineer. What ever happened to innovators like DeLorean, Stevens and Iacoccoa? Designing cell phones, no doubt.
Don’t forget Preston Thomas.
Needed a better engine and have it placed farther forward. The weight distribution was so bad they had to have a size larger tire in the rear. The biggest mistake he made was to charge too much for them. Going after the snob appeal market sure didn’t work for him. Making them affordable for the common man would have made him a legend again, but he ended up a laughing stock.
I think it was planned to be cheaper , but there were many changes as the car went through its design/build stages ,and the price kept going up. Personally, I always thought they were ugly , and the anemic engine they ended having to use didnt help sales ,as well as the stainless steel body which really limited your color choice to silver ,with plastic panels that were off color and didnt match. I’ve seen Deloreans that were painted different colors and they look a lot better IMHO
They are very angular, if that’s what you mean, I agree. Stainless steel is very hard to form and really hard on the tooling. This is evidently the best shape they could come up with, given the toughness of the material. If you’ve seen the Tesla pickup you’ll notice the lack of real compound curves for the same reason. My only gripe about this car is the meager power from that Renault/Pugeot/Whatever it is motor.
This is our car that is for sale on ebay. There was an error in the listing I didn’t catch it before the first bid to change it. This car is an automatic not a manual.
As for the engine itself it is my understanding that it does turn so I really don’t think there’s anything wrong with the engine it just needs freshen up. I would also drain all the fluids start with fresh gas.
The only reason I said it’s the perfect car for a swap, since the car needs a restoration anyways, if the car is all apart that’s the perfect time to do an engine swap.
If anybody has any questions about the car feel free to call me at the dealership 724-350-8850
There were so many problems with this car. From finding funding to compromising the design finally the location of the manufacturing. John wanted his car so bad and this is what was built. Shame , but from what I understand he had an ego. He did shake up GM and did manage to father the muscle car era. Not that the big three didn’t already have performance, he put it in an intermediate size car. The rest is Pontiac history. If it hadn’t been in a very popular movie they may have faded into history and few people would have cared.
We are the seller of this 1981 DeLorean DMC 12. We just wanted to clarify the car is an automatic not a manual. There was a mistake on the eBay and and there was already bid so we couldn’t change it all I could do was post on the bottom of the mistake
Oh, oh, a BFs commentors worst nightmare, the seller actually listening in,,,just kidding, as self appointed BFs promoter, while many of us are merely “armchair” buyers, it’s no question, due to the popularity of the site it greatly increases your chances of a sale. Best of luck.
Lets hope it sells so the seller can buy a better camera. $21,200 now, and reserve still not met.
Good electric conversion candidate
I’d rather the Eagle Talon next to it.
A wealthy high school friend bought one of these couple years after graduation with 5 speed parked it at the curb in front of his girlfriends house and did not realize he parked over a pile of leaves went inside and looked out to see the DeLorean engulfed in flames and a total loss
The car was a pig anyway my Fiat 1800 spider buried him in straight line and in the twistiest and was half the price
A disappointing marque by DeLorean. Volvo/Citroen power train. The body is what sold these cars because they were no power house. If DeLorean had follow the Bricklin for a drivetrain it would be a special sports car.
There was a guy in town that had three of these things back in 89-92. He had them lined up for sale in his front yard and it took him forever to get rid of them. The only thing these had going for them was the stainless body panels. What piles of crap these were, a VW based kit car was better
SOLD for $25,500.
unfortunately the non-paying bidder that also decided to ghost me and not respond at all. the car is back up on eBay for a 2nd time.
here is a link
https://www.ebay.com/itm/304706739649?hash=item46f1efddc1%3Ag%3AgJcAAOSwfp9jOuiI&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5337650957&customid=&toolid=10049
The DMC-12 is my baby now! Rad Classics are helping send her back to her future in the UK. Definitely going to be aiming for an original numbers match restoration. Frames in need of some serious TLC so once she’s checked over the body needs to come off!