If the listing information is correct, this 1983 DMC DeLorean may have one of the lowest odometer readings on the planet. It has led a sheltered existence, which may explain why it has only clocked 799 miles in forty-two years. However, the grass hasn’t been growing under its treads, with the seller investing a significant sum in this classic to ensure it is a turnkey proposition. They planned to keep the car forever, but have decided to send the DeLorean to a new home. Therefore, they have listed this amazing survivor here on Craigslist in Cupertino, California. The price is an eye-watering $109,000, so let’s look closely to determine whether the figure is justified.

Penned by legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, the DMC DeLorean was one of the most striking cars to emerge during the 1980s. Its stainless steel panels and gullwing doors were anything but subtle, ensuring that these cars turned heads wherever they went. However, they proved to be a sales disaster, with the first cars leaving the factory in 1981 and the last rolling off the line at the end of 1982 as 1983 models. The last production run, completed after the company was placed into receivership, totaled 276 vehicles, and our feature car is one of them. It spent thirty-nine years in the care of its first owner, spending almost every hour squirreled away in a dry and warm garage. The seller, an enthusiast who had previously owned another DeLorean, purchased it in 2024. They immediately sent the vehicle to a specialist for, amongst other things, a cosmetic refresh. The DeLorean is one of the hardest cars to photograph, especially in direct sunlight. The brushed stainless panels reflect light, and can make the car look quite patchy. However, this one is in excellent condition, with only a couple of minor imperfections that are hard to spot in the supplied images. The urethane bumpers are in good order, as are the distinctive alloy wheels and the glass. The seller supplies no information regarding the state of the frame, but if its epoxy coating is intact and this DeLorean has spent years in a dry garage, there should be no problems.

The biggest disappointment that many DeLorean buyers faced with their new purchase was the less-than-sparkling performance. John DeLorean investigated several engine options, eventually settling on a rear-mounted 2.8-liter PRV (Peugeot, Renault, Volvo) V6 that sends 130hp to the road via a five-speed manual transaxle. The company offered an optional three-speed automatic, but that further strangled performance. The seller indicates that they and the short-term previous owner invested a considerable sum into this classic to ensure that it is a turnkey proposition. The fuel system, electricals, clutch, fluids, belts, and hoses were all replaced or updated, with the invoices totaling a whopping $23,000. They don’t mention verifying evidence for the odometer reading, although they may hold documentation that they don’t mention in their listing. Considering the figure, the new owner faces the difficult decision of whether to utilize this DeLorean as its creators intended, or continue to preserve it as a virtual museum piece.

The list of new parts fitted by the seller continues when we focus on the interior. They replaced the Gray leather seatcovers, the carpet set, and the pillar trims. They also installed a few replacement electrical components to ensure that items like the power windows and power locks work as they should. Unsurprisingly, the interior presents in as-new condition, and it is refreshing to discover that the factory radio/cassette player is intact. Apart from the power features mentioned, this car’s new owner receives air conditioning, power mirrors, and a tilt/telescopic wheel.

The DMC DeLorean promised so much, but its development was founded on sky-high optimism and an enormous amount of media hype. The car failed to deliver, with the entire venture collapsing due mainly to mismanagement. The seller’s price for this 1983 example is well above the market average and is close to what Hagerty quotes for a Concours vehicle. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time that this car has hit the market, with an auction ending within the last couple of days. It failed to sell, even though the bidding reached $63,500. That figure is over $40,000 below the seller’s expectations, but do you think that they will find a buyer at their asking price?