Some cars are an immediate hit. They sell in exceptional numbers, returning a healthy profit to the manufacturer, paving the way for bigger and better things. Then there is the DMC DeLorean. It faced a perfect storm of issues that not only resulted in sales falling far below expectations but also sent the company and its founder bankrupt after only two production years. The DeLorean could have slipped into obscurity, but the car has developed a dedicated following, and good examples now sell for impressive prices. This 1981 DeLorean has been part of the same family since Day One. It has spent decades in storage, and its lack of active service has left it with a mere 994 miles on its odometer. The seller has coaxed it back to life, but it requires further TLC before the buyer can slip behind the wheel and hit the road. The seller has listed this classic here on Bring A Trailer in Longmont, Colorado. Bidding sits at $22,750 as the auction heads into its final days.
It would not be an understatement to say that millions of words have been written about the DeLorean Motor Company, the man who created it, and the car that resulted. Founded on sky-high optimism and utilizing a design penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the DMC DeLorean made a splash upon its unveiling. The brushed stainless body and gullwing doors ensured the DeLorean was no shrinking violet. If only the car had possessed the performance to match its striking looks. The seller indicates that this classic has been part of the same family since Day One. The current owner’s father purchased the car and, after limited use, placed it in dry storage. Of course, with stainless steel panels, exterior rust isn’t a problem. The comprehensive image gallery includes underside shots. The epoxy coating on the frame is in excellent condition, meaning there should be no rust issues around the body mounts. The exterior requires polishing to present at its best, but there are no appreciable dings or dents. The current owner recently replaced the struts for the doors and lids. Therefore, there should be no danger that these will close unexpectedly. The glass is clear, and the wheels are excellent.
John DeLorean loaded his car interiors with enough luxury touches to justify the sticker price. Buyers received leather trim, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, a rear defogger, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player as standard equipment. The low odometer reading makes this car’s interior condition unsurprising. There is no visible wear, and even the prone carpet’s outer edges look excellent. The plastic is in good condition, and there are no visible aftermarket additions. However, the shifter poking through the console tells us this isn’t the most desirable version of the DeLorean on the planet.
After failing to secure several preferred engine options, John DeLorean struck a deal to power his creation with a 2.8-liter Peugeot/Renault/Volvo V6. Originally envisaged as mid-engines, severe budget restrictions and a tight development schedule forced legendary Lotus designer Colin Chapman to adopt a rear-engine approach. Buyers received a five-speed manual transaxle as standard equipment, although this classic’s first owner selected the optional three-speed automatic. With only 130hp at the driver’s disposal, performance fell far short of buyer expectations. The current owner coaxed this DeLorean back to life after its extended slumber. They flushed the fuel system and installed a new electric fuel pump and sender unit. The motor runs on an external fuel source, but after such a prolonged period of inactivity, the DeLorean will undoubtedly require further work before it can be considered genuinely roadworthy.
This 1981 DMC DeLorean has an equal mix of good and bad points. The odometer’s three-digit reading is far below average, because most of these classics have worked their way into five-figure territory. Its originality is something purists will appreciate, as it maximizes the potential future return on their investment. However, the elephant in the room is undoubtedly the transmission. Buyers typically favor the five-speed manual because the optional automatic unit negatively impacts the performance of a vehicle already behind the eight-ball, given the modest power of its V6 engine. This DeLorean has attracted four bids, although the Listing View and Watch List tallies are extremely impressive. That begs the question surrounding a potential sale price, and this time, I am handing the speculation to you. What do you consider to be a fair price? It will be fascinating to discover whether any of our Barn Finds readers can hit the nail on the head.
Cue the flux capacitor references (or, maybe we can skip it for once?)
Whenever I read about these, it’s always about what the car could have been, and how disappointing was the actual result. I was something like 18 when these came out, and was (and still am) very into European sports cars. I thought then that these were just odd looking poseur cars; status rides for the well off middle aged. This exactly describes a family friend for whom I house sat when he and his wife were out of town. He was generous and allowed me to use the car while I was watching the house. It certainly garnered a lot of looks, but what a pig of a driver. Yes, his had the automatic. But, to each his own. The quirky factor must be the only thing that is driving the market; it’s sure not the performance.