There is a critical difference between the DMC DeLorean and the Back to the Future movie franchise; At no point did the movie series threaten to send its creators bankrupt. The story of the car’s manufacturer was entirely different, and now I have that out of my system, I promise not to mention the movie again! This 1981 model has recently hit the market, and the seller is candid that it isn’t perfect. However, it is a tidy classic that has been appropriately maintained. It runs and drives well, ready to hit the road with a new owner behind the wheel. The DeLorean is listed here on eBay in Bedford, Indiana. Frantic bidding has pushed the price to $22,100 in a No Reserve auction.
The term “a triumph of style over substance” could have easily been coined to describe the DMC DeLorean. It is an undeniably stunning car, and its styling has held up remarkably well over more than four decades. While people liked the shape, fewer were attracted to its brushed stainless steel panels. Some buyers covered it with paint, and we’ve seen a few of those cars at Barn Finds. This one is unmolested, but it isn’t perfect. The urethane nose and rear sections show the typical discoloring that is an accepted part of aging. However, the panels have a couple of dings and marks, which could prove a barrier for potential buyers seeking perfection. That type of damage can be addressed, but it is more complicated with these cars than with most classics. The distinctive gullwing doors stay up as they should, while the glass and unique wheels are in good order. The seller doesn’t supply any information on the frame, which can be rust-prone if the factory epoxy coating is compromised. However, if that is intact, there should be no problems. It had spent its life until recently in Arizona, which augers well for potential bidders.
Buying a DeLorean means accepting that its performance will be adequate rather than startling. It features a rear-mounted 2.8-liter V6 which sends 130hp to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transaxle. Acceleration is all you would expect from a car with modest power, with the journey down the ¼-mile taking a relatively leisurely 17.5 seconds. The company offered a three-speed automatic option, but that is best avoided! The good news with this DeLorean is that it is a mechanically healthy driver. It has been appropriately maintained and runs and drives well. The seller recently completed a long journey with no problems or issues. They claim it has a genuine 56,000 miles on its odometer, but they don’t mention supporting evidence. However, the overall condition suggests the claim is plausible. Regardless of the facts, it is a turnkey proposition that seems to need nothing.
The DeLorean’s interior was reasonably well-appointed in a 1981 context. Buyers received air conditioning, power windows, power mirrors, a rear defogger, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-reach wheel, and a radio/cassette player. This car retains most of those features, although a radio/CD player is a modern upgrade. The condition is acceptable for a driver-grade vehicle, although there are signs of deterioration. The leather on the wheel looks like it needs conditioning, as it has developed a “dry” look. A split is also developing on the lower edge of the driver’s seat backrest. Handing this to a leather specialist ASAP would be wise. Replacement covers are readily available, but addressing the issue before it deteriorates further would be cheaper and easier. I also noted some carpet wear in a few places, and replacement would seem an appropriate long-term goal. New carpet sets are available, and at around $750, they are surprisingly affordable for a low-volume vehicle like this.
The history of the DeLorean Motor Company represents a lesson in how not to start a business. Had the venture succeeded, it would have been miraculous. As a startup company, it went to market with a new and underdeveloped product from a firm run by an individual out of his depth. That it collapsed as dramatically as it did was unsurprising. Even if the car had sold in respectable numbers, it is doubtful that DeLorean would have found the budget to develop an updated or new model. It is possible that it would have headed into the computer age with the automotive equivalent of an abacus, which would have done little but delay the inevitable. These cars spent years ignored and unloved, but like many other models, they are more popular today than when they rolled out of the factory. A good supply network exists, offering ready parts availability and reliable servicing. A 1981 DMC DeLorean will never threaten a genuine high-performance sports car, but they are now undeniably cool. The auction action proves that, with forty-seven bids already submitted. It is common for these classics to change owners for over $50,000. If this sells for less, it could be among the most affordable driver-grade DeLoreans in the current market. That makes it worth a closer look.
Seems like there is no shortage of these.
With 5 days left this should go way higher!!
I heard these things will stop on a dime bag?
lol…
Well thats because getting a true measurement count is hard with some back in time and others here in present.
The statistical model prediction is only 8-10 % are not in present but again that has 72% confidence level.😜😅🙃
Seriously these to me are super cool and would’ve loved for this company to have continued still. I could see them as EV muscle cars.
Good luck on sale.
You’ve seen one DeLorean, you’ve seen them all. Literally. I mean, is there one single point of variation in these cars?
I agree 100% ! Can you imagine a Delorean club meet ? 35 identical looking silver cars sitting side by side ….zzzzzzz
A car so fast, it’s like you’re going back in time.
Meh
Customer at the shop had one back in the late 80’s and at least to me I thought it was nothing special.Had a Volvo v6 that was a mediocre underpowered engine and the car itself was hard to get in and out of and was ugly imo. I’d like to see an LS in one.Now that would be cool.
Yawn…!!! The LS contingent has been heard from yet again!!!!!
I’ll take a swapped LS powered De Lorean over an original Volvo v6 powered one anyday. Anemic Volvo v6 = yawn…..Powerful dependable LS in the delorean = Smokeshows and FUN! Never saw one and I think it would be a cool conversion. To each there own though.And you’ll keep hearing it at least from me.
Several people have done this to DeLoreans, but this movie (based on a true story) is my favorite. Enjoy!
https://www.vudu.com/content/movies/details/Fastest-Delorean-in-the-World/969024
They say when a DeLorean hits 88 mph that it can travel through time, but that’s patently false. DeLoreans can’t hit 88 mph.
I worked as a tech at a DeLorean dealership back in the day. We all thought they were an over-rated gimmicky joke and were very glad to see them go under. But looking back at them now as a relatively affordable collector car that’s unique and will get looks everywhere you go, I can think of much worse alternatives. At least parts are apparently still available. Just don’t plan on using it as a daily driver, even when new 40+ years ago they weren’t the most reliable cars.
Two of the eight I had were daily driven over 18 years with few problems (other than twisting off the input shaft on my supercharged Chevy powered one). It’s all dependent on how you maintain them.
My definition of “maintenance” on a car is oil changes, tires, brakes, wiper refills, things like that. All of our DeLorean customers seemed to spend a lot of their time sitting in the customer waiting room while their DeLorean was in on a weekly basis having broken things fixed (often coming in on a flatbed truck). That’s not my definition of “reliable” or “regular maintenance”. I know owners of European cars have a different definition though.
These things should of had a small block v8 instead,a 5.0 liter chevy or ford.would of been more reliable and had more power,could of even been competition for the corvette
Maybe that would have been a good idea if the DeLorean had been built as a mid engine car like the original design was intended to be. But the idea of a big heavy and powerful V-8 hanging out the back of a rear engine car doesn’t appeal much to me.
These cars are so overrated as far as collecting
Particularly in the case of DeLorean: time will tell…
Mentioned it already: my wife bought her dad’s DeLorean when he hit 88 (years old). We shipped it from CA to Switzerland, had to swap the broken engine and have had loads of fun since with DMC clubs here, including a 2k miles trip through the Loire chateaux, the Netherlands and Germany, w/o any problem. Car is surely rough to drive (clutch, no power steering, etc.) but surprisingly comfortable. In fact, we’re off to the Atlantic coast in a couple of weeks with the French club. OK, ours might be very reliable! For sure, breakdown jokes are permanent in the club, but help and knowledge sharing are exceptional.
Have always loved these… Raced one (1/4 mile) in my 79 Nova. Didn’t realize they had a small block in it.. I owned it till about 700’, then all I saw was that DELOREAN plainly printed as if flew past me 😕
Never been a fan of this car, but did admire the effort of someone not really knowing what they were doing, but they did it anyway. Been there, done that. Everyone on here seems so concerned about how fast a car will go, but for me, dependability and reliability has always been key… but then, I never got my first car until I graduated from college (but I had to work to pay for everything too).
Sold $42,226, funny thing is 88 bids.