An exclusive designer by the name of John Dale DeLorean had, what he thought to be, a fool proof plan of building an exotic sports car that would never rust or corrode. He also wanted to provide excitement that would compete with cars like the Lotus Esprit, Porsche 928, etc. The appropriately named “DeLorean” sports car was finished in brushed stainless steel over a fiberglass body. So, why was the DeLorean so short lived?


Driving Impressions :

There is no doubt that John DeLorean’s intentions were good, but this car simply doesn’t offer the right ingredients to be a bonified sports car. There just isn't enough power from the naturally aspirated 2.8-liter V6 to give either impressive acceleration or outrageous top speed. This V6 engine coupled with the Renault 5-speed manual transmission seems very much like any basic engine of the 1980s, it offers an unimpressive 130 horsepower and very little grunt for making quick jumps from the light. According to many popular specs, the DeLorean has a 0-60 time of around 8.0 seconds, though I think this 0-60 time is just a bit over exaggerated. A 3-speed automatic was an option for the DeLorean, though I couldn’t imagine it being a compliment to its small V6 engine. The DeLorean may have offered a ton of character with its exterior lines; however its powertrain is nothing more than “ho-hum”. On full throttle take-off, the 2.8 V6 engine sounds more like it belongs in a Chevy Cavalier, certainly not a high performance automobile with an original MSRP nearing $30,000. Note: According to many owners, there are options out there to make your DeLoreans fast, though these modifications don’t come without a price.

Handling is good, but this too did not impress me, even with the Lotus inspired suspension you can feel body roll normally associated with larger cars.

Braking is adequate, despite the particular DeLorean that I drove having its original pads and braking equipment, the DMC provided confident stopping power when approaching a stop light.


If there is anything exciting about the 1981 DeLorean it would be its striking interior. You sit behind the front fascia of the interior and although it’s a bit claustrophobic, it is comfortable enough, as is the overall ride. Such a well appointed interior makes you wish there was just another 100 or so horsepower to help pin you back in the standard leather seating. The dash fascia does seem just a bit dated by today’s standards, but for a 1981 automobile it looks downright futuristic. Since this is a 2-seater, don’t expect too much interior room. Unlike most conventional cars with hatches, the rear hatch opens up to unveil the DeLorean’s V6 engine, not stowage space.

The interior, though small, offers supportive seats, but the leather could have been seriously improved. Unlike the Ferrari’s of the same time period, the DeLorean’s leather feels cheap. There is a solid center console that separates the driver and passenger; a good or bad thing depending on how much you like your passenger : P . The steering wheel is thick, and allows for some good grip for those times when you take the DeLorean on those twisty roads. The air conditioning in my DeLorean was more warm than cold; road trips to Palm Springs California were "hot as hell." Another gripe I have with this interior is the quality. This particular DeLorean had only 40,000 original miles, yet the interior had a cracked dash, crakes in the leather, and the headliner was ripped.




The exterior is very original; there is no confusing a Honda Civic with a DMC DeLorean. The Lotus inspired chassis means there's a deep spine through the cockpit. The rims are little on the non sporty side, but not too bad for vehicle made in 1981. The design is aerodynamic with a low drag coefficient, though the front fascia definitely has a rectangular theme which was ever so popular in the early 㣴s. Overall the design was ahead of its time, however today, this car seems quite dated. Of course the most memorable feature of the 1981 DeLorean is the gull wing doors that open up to reveal that you are not in just any common relation of the 1980s.

Just like any exotic on the market, the price for the DeLorean varies dramatically. I have seen some DeLoreans sold for as low as $10,000 and some for as much as $40,000. It's all about being in the right place at the right time. Personally I would never own one of these cars if I had to pay for it, but collectors love this car because it's rare and for many other personal reasons.

Final Thoughts :

This would have been an excellent car if the DMC DeLorean boasted much more power, better handling attributes, and a cheaper price. The DMC DeLorean does offer a good value on the collectors market; however you will be hard pressed to find one. Most of these cars are in the hands of collectors. This car is not recommended as a car, as a novelty item. I would not want this car as my daily driver.

Want to read about a much faster car of the same time period for less cash? Check out my review on the 300ZX


-Happy Car Shopping

Amount Paid (US$): Driven
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1981
Model and Options: DMC Delorean, 5 speed manual.