It’s amazing how disguising one distinctive feature can entirely transform a classic. Most readers would instantly recognize a DMC DeLorean, courtesy of the gullwing doors and brushed stainless panels. However, throw a coat of color over the exterior, and the change that results is profound. The seller confirms that the distinctive Red gracing the exterior of this 1981 example was applied by a previous owner, but they have invested a considerable amount of money into a rebuild that makes this DeLorean a turnkey proposition. The time has arrived for it to find a new home, with the seller listing this eye-catcher here on eBay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Bidding sits below the reserve at $18,099, but there is a BIN option of $60,000 for those viewing the DeLorean as a must-have item.
It is widely believed that DeLorean buyers could only purchase their new toy with a brushed stainless steel exterior, but this isn’t true. The company provided approval for a small number to be painted, with some sources quoting a figure of around thirty cars. This 1981 example isn’t one of those, with the seller believing that a previous owner applied the existing Red around thirty years ago. They have no information regarding why this occurred, but they haven’t been able to locate any evidence that it was to hide accident damage. Therefore, it might be possible to strip the exterior to reinstate the factory appearance. The paint shines nicely, and one thing is certain: Keeping this classic looking presentable in this form would be relatively easy, because the stainless can prove to be “high maintenance.” The seller supplies a few underside shots, revealing that the frame retains its original epoxy finish. That means that rust shouldn’t be a problem, although placing the car on a lift to check the mounting points would be worthwhile. The glass is clear, and the alloy wheels are free from physical damage.
The entire DeLorean project was founded on sky-high optimism, but the reality left many buyers disappointed. John DeLorean had planned to power his creation with a mid-mounted Wankel rotary or a Ford V6, but neither powerplant came to fruition. With time and money in short supply, legendary Lotus designer Colin Chapman adapted a PRV (Peugeot/Renault/Volvo) 2.8-liter V6 to a rear-mounted arrangement. Shifting duties fall to a five-speed manual transaxle, although the company offered a three-speed automatic option for those wishing to measure acceleration times with a calendar. The seller has recently invested over $25,000 into parts for a refurbishment, and includes invoices verifying that spend. That means that the V6 should deliver the 130hp and 153 f/lbs of torque that the factory quoted in 1981. Potential buyers can consider this a turnkey proposition that runs and drives perfectly. The engine springs to life easily, even from cold. Therefore, flying in and driving home is a viable option.
DeLorean loaded its creation with plenty of standard creature comforts from Day One. Buyers received air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, a power antenna, a rear defogger, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player. The photos reveal that the original stereo has made way for an aftermarket Craig unit, while the seller states that the power mirrors are inoperative. Otherwise, the Gray leather on the seats is in good order, and the carpet is clean. The dashpad hides below a cover, and it would be interesting to lift that to discover what hides beneath.
If I had a mere penny for every article ever written about the ill-fated DeLorean venture, I could comfortably afford the BIN price for this 1981 example. These were a dismal sales failure when new, but the DeLorean now enjoys a strong following in the classic world. Values are climbing consistently, and the price for this one would seem realistic if it retained its stainless exterior. Applying a coat of paint may have potentially impacted its value in the eyes of some, but the listing statistics suggest that plenty of people like what they see. My question to you is whether you would retain the existing paint if you became the next owner, or would you strip it away to expose the iconic brushed appearance? It will be fascinating to gauge your feedback on that subject.
Nice work, Adam! I washed cars in a big parking garage in a medical building right after high school, and one of the plastic surgeons bought a new DeLorean, which was pretty mind-blowing at the time when most of the other doctors were driving Buick sedans or Oldsmobile wagons. After a few months, he had it painted red like this one. I don’t know if I’ve seen another one like it in 44 years. He also had a Plymouth Scamp GT, the little car-pickup, so he liked unusual vehicles. Maybe that’s where I got it from.
Often these got painted after a fender-bender, because concealing a repaired panel or fiberglass replacement panel under a full coat of paint was far cheaper than sourcing a pristine replacement stainless panel.
You can’t use a magnet to check for this either, because the stock panels were made of 304 stainless, an austenitic alloy that’s essentially non-magnetic.
I luv the re-sale red, even the louvers are red. Even at $60k this looks like a deal. I think this will sell by auction or BIN.
Too bad the rotary engine option didn’t work out. It would be so much more interesting with an iconic engine as well.
I wonder if you could get a Mazda rotary engine to work in it? Delores was sourcing it’s engines from other makes anyway, but I heard a common transplant is a Buick or Rover V8.
The rotary plan also would have been mid-engined, as were other powertrain options being considered in early development.
They only became rear-engined when they wound up finalizing the design using, essentially, the powertrain of the Alpine A310 V6 — a rear-mounted PRV V6 mated to a Renault transaxle ahead of it. Alas, this also means the chassis cannot readily be adapted to a mid-engine orientation.
Many were painted after body damage. Difficult to get the standard finish to look right after body work.
Many of these De Loreans were sold new painted by the dealer.
Went to $40,099 reserve not met. 25 bids.