No Reserve: 1981 DMC DeLorean

Throughout automotive history, there has been a group of individuals who have dreamed of creating a marque bearing their name. For some, that dream remains unfulfilled, while for others, it becomes a reality. However, there are those where the venture quickly becomes a nightmare. So it was with DeLorean. Founded on sky-high ambitions, the entire venture collapsed beneath poor timing, substandard build quality, and dodgy financial dealings. This 1981 DMC DeLorean is a survivor that presents nicely. It is a turnkey proposition and could potentially be the most affordable way to slip behind the wheel of one of these classics. The seller has listed it here on eBay in Beverly Hills, California. Bidding has reached $29,100, and what makes this DeLorean particularly attractive is the seller’s decision to list it with No Reserve.

John DeLorean was, by all accounts, a charismatic individual who enjoyed a meteoric rise through the General Motors empire. However, he held lofty ambitions, resigning in 1973 to form the DeLorean Motor Company. He planned to release a distinctive two-seat sports car, utilizing a design penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro. It couldn’t help but turn heads, a characteristic that was further enhanced by the decision to cloak its exterior in brushed stainless steel panels. The look didn’t achieve universal appeal, and the company was willing to paint cars at the buyer’s request. This 1981 example presents nicely as a survivor-grade vehicle. Scrutinizing the listing images reveals a couple of minor bumps, and those could pose a challenge for those seeking perfection. Unlike most cars, addressing those shortcomings isn’t a matter of hammering, Bondo, and fresh paint. However, a paintless dent removal company may be able to achieve an acceptable result, and it is an option worth exploring. It appears this DeLorean has spent its life in a favorable location, so frame rust shouldn’t be a problem. The wheels and trim are in good condition, and the glass is clear.

When John DeLorean began development of the car that would eventually bear his name, he planned to install a Wankel rotary engine in the back. It could have been a masterstroke, because those powerplants are extraordinarily light. However, when those plans fell through, Ford’s Essex V6 was the preferred option. Once again, DeLorean stumbled and eventually used the 2.8-liter PRV V6. There were further challenges to overcome, including the fact that the vehicle design wouldn’t allow the preferred mid-mounted configuration envisaged in the original concept. DeLorean contracted Colin Chapman to engineer a solution, and the best he could achieve on a very limited budget was to rear-mount the motor, as found in cars like the Porsche 911. The result produced less-than-ideal weight distribution, and with only 130hp on tap, performance wasn’t sparkling. This DeLorean features that engine, but the first owner chose the three-speed automatic transaxle over the standard five-speed manual unit. Therefore, the DeLorean’s acceleration figures will, to be diplomatic, be quite modest. The listing suggests this survivor is a turnkey proposition, ready to hit the road with the winning bidder behind the wheel.

DeLorean charged a premium price for its model, positioning itself against Porsche and Ferrari. While its performance couldn’t match the opposition, DeLorean loaded the interior with luxury features to provide a comfortable motoring experience. Standard equipment included leather trim, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a tilt wheel, a rear defogger, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player. This car retains most of those features, though someone replaced the factory stereo with a modern system. The presentation is comfortably acceptable for a survivor-grade classic, with no significant wear or other issues. The Gray carpet looks surprisingly free from marks, and there is no broken plastic.

If I had a dollar for every article produced about the ill-fated DeLorean Motor Company, I could easily afford to make a play for this 1981 example. It has attracted ten bids, and with No Reserve complicating matters, it is days away from finding a new home. I would typically expect the bidding to be more intense, but the first owner’s decision to order this survivor with the optional automatic transmission has undoubtedly hurt its cause. Would you ignore this DeLorean due to that choice, or could you live with it if it meant parking this classic in your driveway?