John DeLorean was famous for being the driving force behind many of the more desirable and potent models to emerge from General Motors during the 1960s. Unfortunately, he became infamous for founding a company bearing his name that produced a car that failed to live up to its promise and hype. Some viewed the DMC DeLorean as the worst car in automotive history. However, the ongoing development of replacement parts and modern engineering techniques mean the DMC can become a reliable and comfortable long-distance tourer. The seller has been the custodian of this 1981 DeLorean for nearly twenty-three years and has meticulously maintained the vehicle throughout that time. They don’t wish to part with it, but changed circumstances mean it needs a new home. The DMC is listed here on eBay in San Diego, California. Bidding sits below the reserve at $43,200, although there is a BIN option of $85,000.

The DMC DeLorean broke the rules on many fronts. Its brushed stainless steel panels are distinctive but don’t appeal to everyone. The company demonstrated a history of introducing running rather than annual changes, and our feature car reflects that thinking. It carries the hallmarks of a vehicle that rolled out of the factory after August 1981 but well before that year’s production run ended. This is confirmed by the VIN and the hidden fuel filler that the company introduced in August. Early versions also included a radio antenna embedded in the windshield, but reception issues saw the company install a whip antenna to the passenger-side front fender as an interim solution. This car carries both of those changes, and its overall presentation is tidy for a DeLorean. The brushed stainless shows no evidence of bumps or bruises, while the urethane nose and rear sections exhibit no issues beyond the typical color mismatch. The seller doesn’t mention frame rust, and if the factory epoxy coating is intact, it shouldn’t be an issue. The glass is excellent, as are the distinctive wheels.

Apart from quality control issues, disappointing performance is often quoted as one reason the DeLorean failed to sell in respectable numbers. Originally conceived as a mid-engine sports car powered by a Wankel rotary or Ford V6, design consultant Colin Chapman knew such dreams were beyond the company’s budget. Therefore, the DeLorean came to market powered by a rear-mounted 2.8-liter V6. With only 130hp on tap, it failed to produce true sports car acceleration. Buyers could select a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission, and, unfortunately, this car features the latter. It means that the ¼-mile journey would take approximately 17.5 seconds, which is hardly earth-shattering. To comprehend the scale of the mountain facing this classic, it is worth comparing its performance with that of the 1981 Corvette. Both were two-seat sports cars, but the ‘Vette placed 190hp at the driver’s disposal. With the same journey taking 16.7 seconds, many potential buyers struggled to justify the additional $10,000 to own the gull-winged DeLorean. It may seem that this story has nothing but doom and gloom, but nothing could be further from the truth. The seller purchased the car in 2000, entrusting its ongoing maintenance to DeLorean Motor Company California, located in Huntington Beach. They performed a host of recent work on this classic, with invoices supplied to the winning bidder. The seller encourages potential buyers to contact that organization to gain insight into this car’s overall condition. However, for buyers seeking a turnkey vehicle, it has to be a prime candidate.

The positive news with this classic continues when we assess its interior. It features acres of leather trim, with the seats wearing new covers. There is no sign of abuse or wear, with the car carrying the hallmarks of a vehicle treated with respect. The original radio/cassette player made way for a CD unit, but there are no other aftermarket additions. The luxury appointments may seem modest by modern standards, but the air conditioning, power windows, power mirrors, rear defogger, and tilt-and-reach wheel were considered cutting edge in a 1981 sports car.

Some cars suffer from an unfortunate curse. If they had been good when they were new, or new when they were good, they could have attained enormous sales success. The DMC DeLorean encapsulates these problems, with early examples plagued by quality issues and disappointing performance. However, ongoing development by specialist organizations means buying a vehicle like this 1981 model with some confidence is possible. Its condition is excellent for its age, it is essentially unmolested, and the right people have whirled their spanners on it for the past two decades. The BIN figure is above the market average, especially considering the original owner’s transmission choice. It has attracted eleven bids, although whether any of those individuals would be willing to push the price toward the BIN is an open question. Do you think they will, or will the seller need to settle on a lower figure?