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.
Why would a 994 ORIGINAL MILES car be also listed as a “FAMILY PROJECT” ??????
I always wondered with how bad the rubber bumpers matched the stainless, who approved that color? Oh yeah, maybe they were coked up. A co-woker back in the 90s got one for $8k.
Interesting! My wife now drives the DeLorean which her father bought new in 1981! It is a manual, though, with over 85k miles on the clock. It is surprisingly comfortable on long trips and we use it often, criss-crossing Europe to attend club events. 200 DeLorean are expected at the Belfast factory in June for their 45th anniversary: we’ll be there!
A car which sat for so many years will require replacement of hoses, some electric components, tires, etc. but getting it below $50k is fairly reasonable and low risk. A good, traditional mechanic and/or access to the very rich internet/blogs infos on those is required.
The buyer can then boast having snatched a definite classic with the rarity of single ownership and which will generates more smiles per mile than any modern sportscar!
I agree being a auto tech since 1993. A low mile car like this one probably needs fluids, hoses, belts, tires changed and inspected if it is to be driven at all. To bad it is not a manual.
I have never understood the hype around these. They are underpowered and, apart from the brushed aluminium and gullwings, could be a VW Scirroco or maybe something japanese.
I have never cared for cars put together from other manufacturers’ parts bins — especially when the engine is out of a Peugeot.
And then there is the brushed aluminium body. How do you repair a scrape or a bump? How do you keep it clean? I single scratch stays forever.
The gullwing makes a very thick A pillar necessary, apparently, which adds a blindspot exactly where someone steps off the curb.
They look to me like they were not thought through properly and were relying on gimmicks like gullwing doors and brushed aluminium to cover up for the rest of it.
The final turnoff is Delorean’s own behaviour during this period. Dealing coke to cover the costs of a losing business? Really?
The stainless and gullwing doors are what make it awesome. Research that engine more. It’s not that bad and the plan was to eventually turbo charge it. They were trying to build a car that slotted between the Corvette and 911 but new crash and emissions requirements changed some of their plans. Also, John was never convicted.
This is a very early model to have the gas cap door located on the hood.
these things are coming out of everywhere like ants at a picnic. i don’t get it.
This car’s only desirable feature is the 994 miles on its odometer. And if you drive it much, that feature will disappear It will probably end up sitting in the collection of someone who paid way too much for it.
Let’s be brutal: objectively, it is a cool design, the stainless steel (avoiding an expensive paint shop) and gullwing doors were technically gutsy. The engine is not exotic and, easy to repair and cheap to maintain.
The drive is quite ok for a 45-year old.
But it is the BTTF saga which placed the DeLorean in orbit and created an incredible following, even with kids today. The movie did magic!