The DeLorean DMC-12 is one of the most recognizable cars ever produced, a stainless-steel, gullwing-door sports car whose extraordinary appearance and later movie fame far exceeded its modest production run. Built in Northern Ireland from 1981 through 1982, with remaining cars sold as 1983 models, the DMC-12 was the only production automobile created by the DeLorean Motor Company. Its combination of Giorgetto Giugiaro styling, unpainted stainless-steel body panels, gullwing doors and a rear-mounted V6 made it look unlike virtually anything else on the road.
Underneath that futuristic exterior, however, the DeLorean was relatively conventional. A fiberglass underbody sat on a steel backbone chassis heavily influenced by Lotus engineering, while power came from the 2.85-liter PRV V6 developed jointly by Peugeot, Renault and Volvo. Buyers could choose a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission, both driving the rear wheels. U.S.-specification output of approximately 130 horsepower meant performance never matched the exotic appearance, but straight-line speed is only one part of the DMC-12 story.
The DeLorean is instead significant as an ambitious attempt to establish an entirely new automobile manufacturer. Its development involved some of the most important figures and companies in the European automotive industry, while its factory became a major industrial project in Northern Ireland. Production problems, financial difficulties and the collapse of the company made the car’s history nearly as remarkable as its design. Then, three years after production ended, Back to the Future transformed what might have become an obscure failed sports car into a permanent part of popular culture.
John DeLorean and the Idea Behind the Car
John Z. DeLorean had already achieved considerable success within General Motors before establishing his own company. His career included important positions at Pontiac and Chevrolet, and he became closely associated with performance cars including the Pontiac GTO. By the early 1970s he was one of GM’s most prominent executives, but he left the corporation in 1973 and subsequently began planning an automobile company built around his own ideas.
The proposed car was initially conceived as an innovative, durable and relatively safe sports car. Early plans included advanced materials and manufacturing methods, and DeLorean promoted the concept as an “ethical sports car” that would combine style with safety, longevity and efficiency. As development progressed, some of the more ambitious ideas proved impractical, but two distinctive elements survived intact: stainless-steel exterior panels and gullwing doors.
DeLorean Motor Company was established in 1975, and development proceeded through several different engineering concepts before the production car took its final form. The project ultimately depended on outside expertise from Giugiaro, Lotus, Renault and numerous component suppliers.
The “12” came from John DeLorean’s initial goal to sell the car for $12,000. Because inflation and production delays bumped the actual sticker price closer to $25,000, the “DMC-12” badge was dropped from official branding in sales brochures, where it was simply named the “DeLorean.” However, “DMC-12” remains the universally accepted enthusiast term.
1981 DeLorean DMC-12 coupe, from an auction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on June 24th, 2022
Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Design
The DMC-12 was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Italdesign, making it part of the same broad design movement that produced many of the sharp-edged wedge-shaped sports cars of the 1970s. The low nose, steeply inclined windshield, straight beltline and truncated rear create a distinctly geometric profile.
Unlike many contemporary exotics, the DeLorean has relatively restrained surface detailing. Much of its visual drama comes from proportion and materials rather than scoops or wings. The dark front and rear fascias contrast with the brushed stainless body, while black side moldings visually lower the car.
The design aged particularly well because there was so little ornamentation tied to a specific model year. Even decades later, the DMC-12 can look surprisingly modern from certain angles, particularly when its gullwing doors are raised.
Stainless-Steel Body Panels
The DeLorean’s defining construction feature is its unpainted Type 304 stainless-steel exterior skin. The stainless panels are attached to a fiberglass underbody rather than forming the primary load-bearing structure, allowing the body to resist conventional surface rust while giving the car its distinctive appearance.
Instead of paint, the exposed metal has a directional brushed finish. Minor scratches can often be blended into the grain with the correct refinishing technique, but damage involving dents or stretched metal can be much more difficult to repair. Conventional body filler and repainting are obviously inappropriate if the original stainless appearance is to be retained.
Matching the factory grain is an important part of high-quality restoration. Panels refinished incorrectly can look noticeably different from adjacent pieces even when their basic shape is correct.
Fiberglass Underbody
Beneath the stainless exterior is a molded fiberglass underbody that forms the passenger compartment and provides mounting surfaces for the exterior panels. This approach separates cosmetic bodywork from the primary chassis structure and contributes to the DeLorean’s unusual construction.
The fiberglass itself does not rust, but it can crack around mounting points or where previous collision repairs were performed. Poorly repaired fiberglass can also affect the fit of the stainless panels and gullwing doors.
Because the exterior can remain visually impressive while hiding structural problems below, inspecting a DeLorean requires looking far beyond the stainless body.
Lotus and the Backbone Chassis
When the original engineering program encountered difficulties, DeLorean contracted Lotus to complete development of the production car. Lotus engineers substantially redesigned the underlying structure, using concepts related to those employed in the Lotus Esprit.
The DMC-12 therefore uses a steel backbone chassis, with substantial front and rear structures supporting the suspension and drivetrain. A central structural section runs beneath the passenger compartment, while the fiberglass body is mounted above it.
The basic layout provides good torsional rigidity for its period, but the chassis is steel and therefore vulnerable to corrosion. It was coated with epoxy at the factory for protection, but damage to that coating can allow moisture to reach the underlying metal.
Chassis Corrosion
Despite the DeLorean’s reputation as a “stainless-steel car,” chassis rust is one of the most important structural concerns. The epoxy coating can crack or separate from the steel, particularly around suspension mounting points and areas exposed to road debris. Once moisture becomes trapped beneath damaged coating, corrosion can progress without being immediately obvious.
The front frame extension, suspension pickup points and sections around the engine and transmission deserve especially careful inspection. A beautiful stainless exterior does not compensate for a severely corroded frame.
Replacement chassis sections and even complete modern replacement frames have become available, making badly deteriorated cars repairable, but major chassis replacement changes both the expense and collector considerations surrounding a restoration.
Rear-Engine Layout
The DeLorean uses a rear-engine configuration, with the V6 mounted longitudinally behind the passenger compartment and largely behind the rear axle line. This differs from the mid-engine layout used by many exotic sports cars. The arrangement concentrates substantial mass toward the rear, giving the DMC-12 a pronounced rearward weight distribution.
The layout provides excellent traction but influences handling, particularly during abrupt throttle changes or aggressive cornering. Proper tires, alignment and suspension condition are therefore especially important.
The PRV V6
Power comes from the Peugeot-Renault-Volvo V6, commonly abbreviated PRV. The engine family was used in numerous European automobiles, including models from Volvo, Peugeot and Renault, making it far less exotic than the DeLorean’s appearance suggests.
The DMC-12 version displaces 2,849cc and uses an aluminum block and cylinder heads. Its 90-degree bank angle reflects the engine family’s origins in a project that had initially contemplated a V8, contributing to the V6’s distinctive firing characteristics.
In U.S. specification, output was approximately 130 horsepower, with around 153 lb-ft of torque. European-market specification could differ somewhat, but no standard production DMC-12 was particularly powerful by exotic-car standards.
Bosch K-Jetronic Fuel Injection
The PRV engine uses Bosch K-Jetronic continuous mechanical fuel injection, a system found on numerous European cars of the era.
K-Jetronic can provide excellent drivability and reliability when properly maintained, but it depends on correct fuel pressures, clean injectors, vacuum integrity and functioning warm-up and cold-start systems. Cars that have spent long periods sitting can develop significant problems as fuel deteriorates and internal components become contaminated.
Many poor-running DeLoreans suffer from fuel-system problems rather than serious internal engine damage. Diagnosing pressures systematically is far more effective than replacing components randomly.
Engine Performance
The DMC-12’s modest horsepower became one of its most criticized characteristics. Contemporary road tests generally recorded 0–60 mph times in roughly the nine- to ten-second range, depending on transmission and testing conditions, while top speed was around 125–130 mph.
Those figures were respectable for many early-1980s cars but disappointing for something that looked like an Italian supercar. Emissions regulations, vehicle weight and the decision to use the naturally aspirated PRV engine all contributed to the gap between appearance and performance.
The car is more satisfying when viewed as a grand-touring sports car rather than a supercar. The V6 provides adequate torque for ordinary driving, and the manual-transmission version in particular can be entertaining when kept in its useful rev range.
Five-Speed Manual Transmission
Most enthusiasts prefer the five-speed manual, which uses a Renault transaxle mounted behind the engine. The gearbox is fundamentally robust when properly maintained, and its ratios suit the PRV engine reasonably well. Shift quality depends heavily on linkage adjustment, clutch condition and hydraulic operation.
The manual makes it easier to keep the relatively modest V6 within its strongest operating range and provides considerably more driver involvement than the automatic. Consequently, manual-transmission cars often attract greater enthusiast interest.
Three-Speed Automatic
A three-speed automatic transmission was also available and accounted for a significant portion of production. The automatic suits the DMC-12’s grand-touring character but further reduces acceleration. With only three forward ratios and approximately 130 horsepower, it cannot keep the engine in its strongest range as effectively as the manual.
Condition is more important than transmission choice for many buyers, but automatic cars generally appeal more to owners interested in relaxed cruising or the DeLorean’s design and cultural significance than maximum driver involvement.
Suspension
The DeLorean uses independent suspension at all four corners, with unequal-length control arms at the front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear. Coil springs and telescopic dampers control wheel movement, while anti-roll bars contribute to roll stiffness.
Lotus’s involvement gave the car a fundamentally competent chassis, although the production suspension was compromised by regulatory requirements and final ride-height decisions. U.S.-market cars became particularly well known for sitting higher at the front than Giugiaro’s original design intended.
Many owners subsequently install revised springs that return the car closer to its intended European-style stance. When properly engineered, the change can improve both appearance and handling.
Steering
The DMC-12 uses unassisted rack-and-pinion steering. The lack of power assistance keeps the system simple and provides useful road feedback. Steering effort is manageable once moving because the rear-engine layout places relatively little weight over the front wheels.
Worn tie-rod ends, bushings or incorrect alignment can make the car feel vague, while excessive front ride height can further compromise geometry. A properly sorted DeLorean generally steers much better than its reputation as a style-focused novelty might suggest.
Brakes
Four-wheel disc brakes were standard, providing a respectable braking system for the car’s weight and performance. As with many collector cars, problems frequently arise from inactivity rather than hard use. Calipers can seize, flexible hoses deteriorate and brake fluid absorbs moisture over time.
Modern pad materials and properly rebuilt hydraulics can produce strong braking without substantially altering the original system.
Gullwing Doors
The gullwing doors are the DeLorean’s most famous feature after the stainless body. Rather than using conventional hinges at the A-pillars, each door pivots upward from the roof. The doors are surprisingly practical in tight parking spaces because they require relatively little lateral clearance. Much of their weight is counterbalanced by torsion bars, with gas struts assisting the opening motion and holding the doors raised.
Correct adjustment is important. A properly functioning door should rise smoothly without requiring excessive effort, while one with weak struts or incorrect torsion-bar adjustment may sag or fail to open completely.
Door Torsion Bars
The torsion bars used to counterbalance the doors were specially engineered components and should be treated carefully. Adjusting torsion-bar preload requires appropriate tools and knowledge because considerable energy is stored in the system. Improvised adjustment can damage the roof structure, rear glass or torsion bar and can create a safety hazard.
Weak door operation is frequently caused simply by worn gas struts rather than incorrect torsion-bar tension, so the struts should be evaluated before changing torsion settings.
Small Side Windows
The gullwing design created an unusual problem: conventional full-size roll-down side windows were difficult to package within the doors. DeLorean therefore used fixed main glass with a much smaller drop-down section built into each window. The small opening became one of the car’s distinctive quirks and limits ventilation when the air conditioning is not operating.
Window motors, switches and guides can become troublesome with age, and access inside the gullwing doors is more complicated than on a conventional car.
Interior
The DMC-12 interior is much more conventional than its exterior. The driver faces a straightforward instrument cluster, while a large center console houses ventilation controls, radio and switches.
Most cars have either black or gray interiors, and the extensive use of leather and molded trim gave the cabin an upscale appearance when new. Seating is low, and the wide center tunnel reflects the backbone chassis beneath the car.
Visibility forward is good, but rear visibility is restricted by the engine cover, rear louvers and body shape. The gullwing doors also create unusually thick roof structures around the occupants.
Air Conditioning
Effective air conditioning is particularly important in a DeLorean. The large windshield, limited opening side glass and relatively enclosed cabin can create substantial heat buildup. Original systems used refrigerant and components typical of the early 1980s, and many cars have since been converted to modern refrigerants or upgraded compressors.
A properly functioning system can cool the cabin effectively. Claims that weak air conditioning is simply “normal for a DeLorean” often indicate a system requiring repair or correct charging.
Electrical System
Electrical reliability is one of the DMC-12’s better-known ownership concerns, although many problems result from age, poor connections and previous repairs rather than fundamental design defects. The fuse and relay compartment is particularly important. High current loads can generate heat at marginal connections, potentially damaging fuse holders or relay sockets. Cooling fans, fuel pumps and other high-draw components place substantial demands on the electrical system.
Numerous well-developed upgrades now exist, including improved relays, fan controls and replacement fuse panels. Carefully executed upgrades can greatly improve reliability while remaining visually unobtrusive.
Cooling System
The radiator is mounted at the front while the engine is at the rear, requiring long coolant pipes to run beneath the car. That layout creates numerous hoses, joints and potential leak points. Original coolant expansion tanks and aging hoses can become unreliable, while cooling-fan operation is critical in traffic.
Many cars have received improved radiators, fans, fan controllers and stainless coolant tanks. A properly maintained DeLorean should not chronically overheat, so recurring high temperatures deserve investigation.
Fuel-System Problems
Cars stored for long periods frequently develop fuel-system contamination. The fuel pump and associated components sit in the tank at the front of the car. Deteriorated rubber components, old gasoline and contamination can damage the pump and create debris that subsequently reaches the K-Jetronic system.
A car that has been dormant for years often requires a complete fuel-system inspection before attempting to start it. Simply installing a new battery and cranking the engine can create additional problems if contaminated fuel is circulated through the injection system.
Hot-Start Problems
DeLoreans can experience hot-start difficulties, commonly associated with the Bosch fuel-injection system’s ability to retain residual fuel pressure after shutdown. A failing accumulator, check valve or other pressure-related component can allow fuel pressure to fall too quickly, making restarting difficult until the engine cools. Because the symptom can have several causes, proper pressure testing is preferable to replacing the fuel distributor or other expensive components without diagnosis.
Front Suspension Concerns
The front suspension deserves careful inspection, particularly on cars that have experienced impacts or poorly executed repairs. Control arms, ball joints, bushings and mounting points should be checked for damage or corrosion. Because the chassis carries suspension loads through relatively localized structures, problems around mounting areas can become significant.
Numerous upgraded components are available, but modifications should preserve correct geometry rather than simply lowering the car for appearance.
Wheels and Tires
The DeLorean uses distinctive cast-alloy wheels, smaller at the front than the rear to emphasize the car’s stance and accommodate different tire sizes. Original wheel finish is part of the car’s appearance, and refinishing should reproduce the correct texture and color. Bent or damaged wheels can sometimes be repaired, but replacement originals have become increasingly valuable.
Correct tire sizing is especially important because the rear-engine layout depends heavily on rear grip. Installing mismatched tire types or inappropriate sizes can noticeably change handling balance.
1981 DeLorean DMC-12 coupe, from an auction in Arizona on January 27th, 2022
1981 Cars
The first production DMC-12s were built during 1981, and early cars contain numerous details that changed as the factory addressed production issues.
Among the most obvious differences are hood designs, wheel finishes, interior details and various mechanical components. Very early cars can have distinctive features sought by enthusiasts, but they can also reflect the challenges of starting an entirely new automobile factory.
Running changes occurred frequently, so chassis number and production date are more useful than assuming every 1981 car has identical specifications.
1982 DeLorean DMC-12 Gullwing coupe, from an auction on January 22nd, 2004
1982 Cars
Production continued through 1982, by which point numerous early problems had been addressed. Detail changes continued, including revisions to the hood and exterior appearance. These later cars can be excellent drivers because they benefited from accumulated production experience. However, financial problems at DeLorean Motor Company increasingly overshadowed manufacturing operations.
By late 1982, the factory had ceased production and the company entered receivership.
1983 DeLorean DMC-12 coupe, from an auction on May 10th, 2008
1983 Model-Year Cars
Cars sold as 1983 models were generally assembled from remaining inventory rather than representing a fundamentally redesigned model.
Consequently, there is no major mechanical distinction separating a typical 1983 from late-production 1982 cars. Model-year designation and VIN information remain important for documentation, but buyers should not expect a substantially improved final-year version.
Because production ended abruptly, individual cars can contain combinations of details that do not correspond neatly to conventional annual model changes.
Hood Variations
The hood is one of the easiest ways to distinguish broad production periods.
Early cars have a hood with character lines and a fuel-filler flap, allowing access to the fuel cap without opening the entire luggage compartment. Later versions eliminated the separate fuel door, while the final hood design became flatter and incorporated a DeLorean emblem.
These variations have become important collector details. Replacing a damaged early hood with a later panel may be entirely functional but changes the car’s original specification.
Early fuel-flap hoods have become particularly desirable because of their distinctive appearance and limited availability.
Antenna and Other Running Changes
Numerous smaller changes occurred during production. Radio-antenna location changed, interior components were revised and suppliers or part specifications could vary.
These differences illustrate why DeLorean restoration increasingly requires chassis-specific research. For many years the cars were inexpensive enough that owners simply installed whichever factory or replacement part was available.
As collector interest has grown, correct production-period details have become more important.
Factory Quality-Control Issues
Starting automobile production in a new factory with a newly trained workforce inevitably created quality-control challenges.
Early cars arriving in the United States sometimes required substantial correction before they could be delivered to customers. DeLorean established Quality Assurance Centers where vehicles were inspected and repaired after shipment.
Problems ranged from panel alignment and electrical faults to mechanical adjustments. Quality generally improved as production continued, but the company’s financial difficulties prevented the program from reaching long-term maturity.
The Dunmurry Factory
The DMC-12 was assembled in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland, near Belfast.
The factory was built with substantial financial support from the British government, partly because the project promised employment in an area suffering from high unemployment during the Troubles. Thousands of local workers were hired and trained for automobile production.
The social and political importance of the factory made the company’s collapse particularly consequential. The DeLorean story therefore extends beyond the car itself into industrial policy, employment and the economic history of Northern Ireland.
Company Collapse
DeLorean Motor Company faced a combination of high development costs, slower-than-expected sales and severe cash-flow problems. The American automobile market also entered a difficult period just as production was increasing.
The company entered receivership in 1982, ending normal production after roughly two years. John DeLorean’s highly publicized arrest that year became inseparable from the company’s public image, although he was subsequently acquitted in the criminal case after successfully arguing entrapment.
By then the automobile company itself could not be saved. Remaining cars and parts inventories were subsequently sold, creating an unusually large supply of original replacement components that helped keep surviving DMC-12s on the road.
Production Numbers
Approximately 9,000 DMC-12s were produced, although exact totals vary somewhat depending on how incomplete and receiver-assembled cars are counted.
That production figure is low compared with mainstream sports cars but surprisingly substantial given the company’s short life. A significant percentage survive because the stainless body resists cosmetic corrosion and because the car developed a dedicated enthusiast following.
The unusually strong parts supply has also contributed to survival. For decades, owners have had access to original inventory as well as increasingly sophisticated reproduction components.
Back to the Future
The DeLorean’s cultural identity changed permanently with the release of Back to the Future in 1985.
The filmmakers selected the DMC-12 as the basis for Doc Brown’s time machine largely because its stainless-steel body and gullwing doors looked sufficiently unusual to plausibly represent advanced technology. In the film, the car’s fictional flux capacitor enables time travel once the vehicle reaches 88 mph.
The movie arrived several years after DeLorean production had ended, meaning the company received no meaningful commercial benefit from the enormous publicity. Instead, the films transformed a failed early-1980s sports car into a globally recognizable cultural object.
Movie Replicas
Because of Back to the Future, numerous DMC-12s have been converted into time-machine replicas.
Quality ranges from carefully researched recreations to relatively crude cosmetic conversions. A well-built replica can have considerable entertainment and display value, but extensive modifications may reduce desirability among collectors seeking an original production car.
Converting a particularly early, unusually original or historically significant chassis can therefore be controversial. Reversibility and preservation of removed factory parts are important considerations.
Turbocharged DeLoreans
The factory investigated higher-performance versions, and aftermarket companies offered turbocharger conversions during and after the production period.
Turbocharging addresses one of the DMC-12’s most obvious weaknesses by substantially increasing the PRV engine’s output. Period conversions can also be historically interesting because owners sought more performance almost immediately after the car appeared.
Modern engine modifications can produce even greater power, but increasing output requires consideration of cooling, fueling, clutch, transmission and chassis condition. A balanced upgrade is preferable to simply maximizing boost.
Modern Engine Swaps
The DeLorean’s distinctive appearance and relatively modest original performance have encouraged numerous engine swaps.
Installations have included more powerful PRV derivatives and completely different modern engines. Some create exceptionally capable cars, but they fundamentally change the historical character of the DMC-12.
For collector purposes, an original or correctly configured PRV drivetrain generally remains preferable. For owners interested primarily in driving, a professionally engineered conversion can provide performance much closer to what the styling suggests.
Replacement Frames and Modern Parts
One unusual advantage of DeLorean ownership is the extensive modern support network.
Replacement frames, suspension components, electrical upgrades, interior pieces and even newly manufactured body-related parts have become available. This makes it possible to restore cars that would be impractical to save if they were similarly obscure low-production automobiles.
The tradeoff is that two visually similar DeLoreans can contain very different percentages of original material. Documentation becomes increasingly important as cars receive replacement frames and other major structural components.
Stainless-Panel Repair
Repairing stainless body panels requires specialized techniques.
Small dents may sometimes be removed without disturbing the brushed grain, while more severe damage requires metalworking followed by careful refinishing. Welding or excessive grinding can permanently alter the appearance.
Because there is no paint to conceal repairs, workmanship remains visible in a way that it would not on a conventional body. Examining reflections along the stainless surface can reveal waves, dents and previous repairs.
Original undamaged panels are consequently desirable even if their surface finish requires cosmetic restoration.
Door Alignment and Roof Structure
The gullwing doors place unusual loads on the roof box, the structure supporting the hinges and torsion bars.
Corrosion, adhesive deterioration or previous incorrect torsion-bar adjustment can affect this area. Door alignment problems should therefore not automatically be treated as simple hinge adjustments.
A specialist should inspect cars with doors that sit unevenly, require excessive force or contact surrounding panels.
Correctly adjusted doors are remarkably easy to use and are much less troublesome than their exotic appearance suggests.
Interior Aging
Dashboard material, leather seats, headliners, carpets and plastic trim all deteriorate with age.
The headliners mounted inside the gullwing doors can sag, while dashboard surfaces can crack after prolonged sun exposure. Leather seats may shrink or split, particularly in cars stored in hot climates.
Reproduction interior components are available, but preserving original materials can be desirable on exceptionally low-mileage cars. The appropriate approach depends on whether the goal is preservation, concours restoration or regular use.
Understanding the Major DeLorean DMC-12 Variants
Unlike many sports cars, the DMC-12 did not receive distinct high-performance factory variants during its short production life. The major differences are primarily production-period and transmission related:
- Early 1981 DMC-12: Characterized by early-production details and, on some cars, the desirable fuel-flap hood. These cars can have particularly interesting factory variations.
- Later 1981 DMC-12: Incorporates numerous running production changes as quality and component specifications evolved.
- 1982 DMC-12: Generally reflects more mature production, with later hood and trim configurations.
- 1983 DMC-12: Cars completed or sold from remaining inventory after normal factory production had effectively ended; mechanically similar to late 1982 cars.
- Five-Speed Manual: The more driver-oriented drivetrain and generally the preferred specification among enthusiasts.
- Three-Speed Automatic: More relaxed but noticeably slower, emphasizing the car’s grand-touring rather than sporting character.
- Period Turbo Conversions: Non-standard but historically interesting conversions intended to provide the performance many owners believed the DMC-12 should have had from the beginning.
- Back to the Future Replicas: Culturally significant conversions whose desirability depends heavily on build quality and the buyer’s priorities.
Because the factory continually introduced running changes, VIN and production-date research are often more useful than simple model-year classifications.
What Matters to Collectors
For a DeLorean, the first priority should be chassis condition rather than stainless-panel appearance. The exterior may look remarkably fresh even when the epoxy-coated steel frame underneath has serious corrosion. Suspension mounting areas, front and rear frame sections and places where the epoxy has separated deserve particularly close examination.
Completeness is another major consideration. Although parts support is unusually good, original stainless panels, early hoods and production-specific trim can be valuable. A missing or severely damaged fuel-flap hood, for example, is far more significant than a failed alternator or worn clutch.
Mechanical condition should focus heavily on the fuel, cooling and electrical systems. A car that has sat for many years may need extensive recommissioning despite very low mileage. Old gasoline, deteriorated hoses, seized brakes and corroded electrical connections can make a low-mileage storage car much more expensive to revive than a regularly driven example.
Manual-transmission cars generally have stronger enthusiast appeal, but condition should outweigh transmission choice. A well-maintained automatic can be a much better purchase than a neglected manual.
Originality is becoming increasingly important as the cars mature. Correct hood style, wheels, interior color, antenna configuration and other production details should correspond with the VIN and build period. Because the DMC-12 was inexpensive for many years, parts were frequently swapped without concern for future collector value.
Finally, buyers should distinguish between thoughtful reliability upgrades and irreversible modification. Improved relays, cooling components and other discreet changes can make the car substantially easier to own. Major engine swaps or movie conversions create a fundamentally different type of collectible.
Collector Hierarchy
Unlike the Shelby GT350 or Ferrari 360, the DeLorean has no factory competition or lightweight model sitting clearly at the top of the hierarchy. Condition, originality, mileage, transmission and production details therefore have an unusually large influence on desirability.
Exceptionally preserved, low-mileage cars with complete documentation attract strong interest, particularly when they remain substantially untouched. However, very low mileage is not automatically an advantage if the car has spent decades without proper mechanical maintenance.
Early fuel-flap cars have developed particular enthusiast appeal because of their distinctive hood and early-production character. Cars retaining correct early components can be especially interesting when accompanied by strong documentation.
Five-speed manuals generally appeal most strongly to drivers, while automatics can be perfectly suitable for collectors primarily interested in the car’s design and cultural importance.
Movie replicas occupy a separate market. Exceptional replicas can be valuable because of their immediate visual impact, but they should not be compared directly with highly original production cars. Each appeals to a different type of buyer.
Driving the DeLorean DMC-12
Driving a DMC-12 can initially be surprising because the experience is much more conventional than the exterior suggests. The gullwing door closes around the driver, the seating position is low and the windshield creates an appropriately exotic view, but the PRV V6 starts with the familiar sound of a European production engine rather than an exotic racing-derived powerplant.
The manual transmission makes the best use of the available power. Acceleration is adequate rather than dramatic, and passing requires planning compared with modern performance cars. The engine is smooth and flexible enough for everyday use, however, and the five-speed allows the driver to keep it in the stronger part of its range.
Steering is one of the more enjoyable aspects. With relatively little weight over the front axle and no power assistance, the rack communicates road texture and tire loading clearly. A properly aligned car on appropriate tires feels light and responsive rather than cumbersome.
The rearward weight distribution becomes more noticeable as speed increases. Rear traction is strong, but abrupt inputs can produce handling characteristics familiar from other rear-engine cars. Good tires and properly functioning dampers are essential, particularly because many surviving DeLoreans cover so few miles that tires can age long before their tread wears out.
Ride quality is relatively compliant, reinforcing the impression that the DMC-12 is a grand tourer rather than a hard-edged sports car. The cabin is reasonably comfortable when the air conditioning works, luggage space is useful for a two-seat exotic and the doors require surprisingly little room in parking spaces.
The car’s greatest driving limitation is simply power. The chassis can accommodate considerably more performance than the standard engine provides, and the styling creates expectations the 130-horsepower V6 cannot fulfill. That mismatch has shaped opinions of the DeLorean since it was new.
Yet outright speed becomes less important in a surviving DMC-12. The mechanical controls, unassisted steering and visibility over the low hood provide an experience completely unlike a modern car. Even at ordinary speeds, the stainless body and gullwing doors turn every fuel stop into an event.
Lasting Importance
The DeLorean DMC-12 is one of the rare automobiles whose historical significance has almost nothing to do with competition success or extraordinary performance. Instead, it represents an extraordinary intersection of industrial ambition, international engineering, distinctive design and popular culture.
Its construction was genuinely unusual. Stainless-steel exterior panels, a fiberglass underbody, Lotus-developed backbone chassis and gullwing doors were extraordinary features for a production car costing far less than contemporary Italian exotics. The fact that the engine itself was relatively ordinary does not diminish the ambition of the overall project.
The car also demonstrates the difficulty of creating an automobile manufacturer from nothing. DeLorean had to develop the vehicle, construct a factory, establish suppliers, train a workforce, create a dealer network and satisfy international regulations almost simultaneously. Established manufacturers spread those functions across enormous organizations; DMC attempted them within a start-up company under severe financial pressure.
The Northern Ireland factory adds another dimension to the story. The project was intended not merely to manufacture sports cars but to create employment in a region experiencing profound economic and political difficulties. Its collapse therefore affected far more people than the company’s investors and automobile dealers.
From an engineering perspective, the DMC-12 was neither the disaster nor the revolutionary supercar suggested by competing popular narratives. Its Lotus-developed chassis was fundamentally sound, the PRV engine was proven and the stainless construction offered genuine advantages. Its greatest problem was that its extraordinary appearance promised considerably more performance than the production drivetrain could provide.
Then Back to the Future completely changed the car’s legacy. By the time the first movie appeared in 1985, the factory was closed and DeLorean Motor Company was gone. The film therefore could not rescue the original business, but it accomplished something arguably more enduring: it made the DMC-12 recognizable to generations of people born long after the car disappeared from showrooms.
That fame has helped preserve the cars. Enthusiast organizations, specialist businesses and the enormous stock of surviving parts have created support that many more successful contemporary sports cars lack. As a result, a remarkably high proportion of DeLoreans remain repairable and usable.
For collectors, the most interesting cars increasingly combine originality with careful mechanical maintenance. The stainless body may survive almost indefinitely, but frames, fuel systems, electrical connections, cooling components and interior materials do not. A car that has been driven and maintained intelligently can therefore be preferable to one that accumulated almost no mileage while deteriorating in storage.
The DMC-12 will never be remembered primarily for its 0–60 time, racing victories or horsepower. Its importance lies elsewhere. Few cars are so immediately identifiable from a silhouette, a surface material or the motion of a door. Fewer still have a history involving General Motors, Giugiaro, Lotus, the British government, Northern Ireland, corporate collapse and one of the most successful movie franchises ever created.
The DeLorean DMC-12 ultimately became far more successful as an icon than it ever was as a commercial automobile. What began as John DeLorean’s attempt to reinvent the sports car survived the failure of the company that created it and became one of the defining automotive shapes of the 20th century.
Important Sales Reviewed by SCM Experts
In each month’s issue for the past 38 years, SCM’s analysts have reviewed 5 to 7 significant cars sold at auction, and discuss what options, history, or details made that particular more or less valuable. They give their expert opinion on the market for these cars, and whether this car was well bought or well sold. If you’re thinking of purchasing a DeLorean DMC-12, you’ll likely find these profiles critical in helping you make the right decision. Each of the following is an article from our print magazine on a DeLorean DMC-12 sold at auction.
1982 DeLorean DMC-12Originally sold new through Pacific Honda in San Diego, CA; accompanied by copy of window sticker. Offered from the New Hampshire Village Antique and Classic Car Private Collection. Powered by a 130-hp, 2.8-liter V6 engine and a desirable 5-speed manual transmission. Gray leather interior; retains original DMC radio with cassette. Equipped with air conditioning; power […]Read more
On a Clear Day, You Can See DeLoreanWealthy Type-A car guys can’t seem to resist starting their own companies (named, of course, after themselves). But for every Porsche, Lamborghini, and Ferrari, there’s a Bricklin, Tucker, and. DeLorean. John Z. DeLorean, at least, seemed to have the automotive chops to make his company a long-term survivor. He was a thoroughly unconventional GM executive, […]Read more
Cars For Sale
Quick links to listings for this make and model online:
Books on the DeLorean DMC-12
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Past Auction Sales – DeLorean DMC-12
Average DeLorean DMC-12 Sale Price by Year from SCM’s Platinum Auction Database:
Includes sales listed as DeLorean DMC12, DeLorean DMC 12.
DeLorean DMC-12 Sales from SCM’s Platinum Auction Database:
Hagerty Marketplace
Condition: 2-
Jul 8, 2026
$45,150
Iconic Auctioneers
Condition: 3+
Feb 20, 2026
$59,152
Remlinger Collector Car Auctions
Condition: 2-
Oct 10, 2025
$54,000
Hagerty Marketplace
Condition: 4+
Sep 11, 2025
$35,220
Hagerty Marketplace
Condition: 2+
Sep 13, 2024
$64,200
Bring a Trailer
Condition: 2
Sep 4, 2024
$116,550
Barrett-Jackson
Condition: 2
Apr 18, 2024
$61,600
The Branson Auction
Condition: 3
Oct 20, 2023
$34,650
The Market by Bonhams
Condition: 3
Sep 12, 2022
$32,450
Bonhams
Condition: 2
Jun 24, 2022
$76,194
PCarMarket
Condition: 3+
Jun 19, 2022
$54,075
RM Sotheby's
Condition: 1-
Jan 27, 2022
$123,200
Mecum Auctions
Condition: 2+
Jan 16, 2022
$90,200
GAA Classic Cars
Condition: 2-
Jul 22, 2021
$65,880
Barrett-Jackson
Condition: 2-
Mar 20, 2021
$53,900
Bring a Trailer
Condition: 2+
Feb 11, 2021
$45,413
VanDerBrink Auctions
Condition: 2-
Jul 25, 2020
$45,150
Artcurial
Condition: 3+
Jul 21, 2020
$60,016
RM Sotheby's
Condition: 3+
Mar 20, 2020
$49,500
Saratoga Motorcar Auctions
Condition: 2
Sep 20, 2019
$30,000
Worldwide Auctioneers
Condition: 3+
Sep 1, 2018
$30,250
Russo and Steele
Condition: 2
Aug 23, 2018
$39,600
Bonhams
Condition: 3+
Jul 13, 2018
$37,828
Worldwide Auctioneers
Condition: 3
Apr 21, 2018
$20,900
Leake
Condition: 3+
Apr 12, 2018
$30,500
Worldwide Auctioneers
Condition: 2
Jan 17, 2018
$48,400
Mecum Auctions
Condition: 2+
Nov 30, 2017
$25,000
Mecum Auctions
Condition: 3+
Nov 30, 2017
$20,000
VanDerBrink Auctions
Condition: 4-
Jul 15, 2017
$25,990
Bonhams
Condition: 3+
Jun 30, 2017
$47,373
Silverstone
Condition: 2-
May 13, 2017
$45,565
Mecum Auctions
Condition: 3-
Nov 2, 2016
$22,000
Silver Auctions
Condition: 3+
Oct 7, 2016
$14,580
Worldwide Auctioneers
Condition: 3+
Sep 3, 2016
$25,300
Silverstone
Condition: 3+
Sep 2, 2016
$38,855
Mecum Auctions
Condition: 2+
Jun 17, 2016
$48,400
H&H Auctioneers
Condition: 3+
Apr 19, 2016
$41,933
Barrett-Jackson
Condition: 2
Jan 25, 2016
$63,800
Silver Auctions
Condition: 3
Apr 25, 2015
$13,500
RM Auctions
Condition: 2+
Nov 15, 2014
$41,250
Lucky Collector Car Auctions
Condition: 3-
May 31, 2014
$18,150
Leake
Condition: 3
Apr 25, 2014
$24,750
Mecum Auctions
Condition: 2-
Feb 23, 2013
$33,000
Silver Auctions
Condition: 3
Jan 19, 2013
$20,520
Leake
Condition:
Nov 16, 2012
$27,500
McCormick's
Condition: 2-
Nov 16, 2012
$44,888
The Branson Auction
Condition: 3-
Oct 13, 2012
$22,500
H&H Auctioneers
Condition: 1-
Apr 19, 2012
$47,053
Barrett-Jackson
Condition: 2
Apr 4, 2012
$61,600
Mecum Auctions
Condition: 2
Jan 24, 2012
$31,270
See all 88 sales in SCM’s Platinum auction database: DeLorean DMC-12 · DeLorean DMC12 · DeLorean DMC 12
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