DeLorean DMC-12 buyer's guide

Few cars are as attention-grabbing as the DeLorean DMC-12. If you like to draw a crowd, here’s how to buy a great example

Sponsored editorial in association with Beverly Hills Car Club

Images: Beverly Hills Car Club With thanks to: Chris Nicholson, P J Grady Europe

The story of the DeLorean DMC-12 involves plenty of intrigue, from the factory in Belfast to the founder’s arrest on drug charges – not to mention the involvement of Lotus and the large amounts of government money. Giugiaro’s design was very eye-catching thanks to the gullwing doors and brushed steel bodywork, and despite the fact that the whole enterprise lasted little more than a year before collapsing (and only around 9000 examples were made) this striking two-seater still has many fans.

You’ll know all about its antics on the silver screen, but that aside it’s the DeLorean’s looks that merited all the attention; as a sports car, the DMC-12 wasn’t entirely the real-deal. The PRV V6 engine wasn’t really powerful enough, and when you consider the coupe wasn’t especially light, the performance was deemed a bit lukewarm by reviewers of the period. Even with a manual gearbox a number of testers noted how sluggish the car felt, and things certainly didn’t improve with the three-speed automatic. Build quality was suspect, too.

But let’s not dwell on those aspects because when it comes to getting noticed there’s little else like it – and for many enthusiasts that’s more than enough reason to want one. That its story all came to an ignominious end is a pity, but more than four decades on the DeLorean is still very much a crowd pleaser.

Bodywork

We should start with that distinctive stainless steel body. One point that DeLorean authority Chris Nicholson from P J Grady Europe is keen to make is the issue of corrosion. It’s something rarely mentioned but very much needs checking for. It appears as pitting in the surface of panels, and while serious buffing can remove it in mild cases it can perforate the panel completely if left. Beneath the plastic side rubbing strips is a common trouble-spot but you’ll need to check the whole body.

You’ll also want to scrutinise the panels for dings and dents, and while specialists can remove them it can become quite time-consuming so you’ll need to budget accordingly. Expect to pay around £1000 for a full re-brush of the surface; use this as a bargaining tool if some refurbishment is needed. Replacement panels are available from the US, and at current exchange rates a front wing sets you back £600–900 and a complete rear quarter panel £115: remember to factor in shipping costs.

The GRP tub that sits beneath the bodywork isn’t a cause for concern unless it’s been damaged in an accident, but the steel chassis does require careful inspection. Issues can relate to crash damage or corrosion, and if the frame at the front needs replacing you’re looking at £1300 or so for the part and quite a lot of labour.

It’s the same story at the rear where the cradle holding the engine can rot, and repairs will almost certainly entail engine removal. It may be possible to repair either area with the body in situ, but costs will escalate if it has to come off. Also worth mentioning is that the car’s popularity has seen older, damaged examples returned to the road and repair or restoration work might not have been done to the standard you’d hope. A professional inspection is strongly advised if you’ve any doubts.

Finally, it’s worth checking the condition of bumpers and light units as their condition may have suffered over the years. Replacements can be found without too much trouble but costs can soon add up if things are a bit tatty.

Engine and transmission

The PRV V6 engine is a well-proven unit but with the DeLorean more than forty years old it’s no surprise that problems aren’t uncommon. A record of careful maintenance is vital but it’s still worth checking for oil leaks (replacing the rear crank seal means removing the gearbox) and for any signs that the head gaskets have been compromised.

The cooling system is another area that needs careful scrutiny, starting with the front-mounted radiator and the pipes running back to the engine: both can suffer from corrosion. Watch for a leaking water pump and make sure the electric cooling fans kick-in when they should. Chris Nicholson also points out that the cylinder block itself can suffer from corrosion, due to water collecting in the vee. Also, check the plastic coolant head tank for cracks.

Don’t be surprised to find a stainless steel exhaust system as it’s a common replacement, and consider it a bonus if it’s been fitted recently. It’ll be equally good news if the engine idles and runs cleanly with no sign of fuel-injection issues; the K-Jetronic system is pretty old now, and a new injection head is pricey, plus there’s the potential to find aging and brittle pipework.

The choice of transmission came down to a five-speed manual or a three-speed automatic, and the former is both stronger and cheaper to rebuild. You’ll still want to check for signs of noisy bearings and worn synchromesh, and for worn linkages that make gear selection difficult. Don’t dismiss the automatic as it’s smooth enough in normal use, however oil leaks aren’t uncommon and can be tricky to cure. Poor shifts could be down to failure of the control computer but these can be rebuilt with modern internals; parts specialist DeLorean Go sells the part for £335 at time of writing.

Suspension, steering and brakes

The suspension was a conventional arrangement with double wishbones up front and a multi-link set-up at the rear, and the lack of complexity means an overhaul shouldn’t present any major issue. Parts are easy to source and mostly inexpensive. General wear and tear is the most likely problem you’ll encounter when inspecting a potential purchase, although it’s worth making a special point of checking the springs for breakage and the front wishbones for corrosion. If the latter is the case then DeLorean Go can supply complete kits. Lowering springs can be fitted at the front to bring down the ride height but it’s a matter of personal choice.

DeLorean brakes are a mix of Ford and Jaguar parts, and assuming they’ve been maintained properly there’s nothing really to worry about. Everything needed is available if an overhaul is on the cards, and it’s all straightforward enough as a DIY project. Consider fitting uprated pads if you want brakes with a bit more bite, although this isn’t really necessary given the modest performance on offer.

There’s nothing to worry about with the steering and parts are easy to find; budget £200–300 for a new steering rack. Finally, examine the wheels for signs of corrosion that’ll need specialist attention and ensure that the car you’re considering isn’t sitting on ancient rubber. Some of these cars only get used for high-days and holidays, and aging tyres won’t do grip or safety any favours.

Interior and trim

The good news is that there’s no flux capacitor to worry about! What you will have to check for is a cabin that’s getting a bit scruffy, or where the leather has suffered from the effects of the sun. Replacement trim is available and a set of seat covers will cost around £580, so factor this in if refurbishment is going to be needed.

More important is spending a bit of time checking the electrics as chasing down problems can become a time-consuming headache. The starting point should be examination of the fuse panel behind the passenger seat, looking for any sign that fuse seven has melted – it’s a common problem and the cause needs addressing sooner rather than later for safety reasons. The rest of the wiring loom (what’s visible, anyway) will also benefit from a once-over as there’s the chance of uncovering damage caused by poor repairs and amateur modifications. While on the subject of electrics, check that the speedo and dials work as intended.

It’s also a good idea to check the operation of the lock mechanisms and the electric windows, as repairing either can be fiddly. The insides of the gullwing doors don’t provide much room to work, and you need to be wary of the sharp metal edges that lurk within. Weak support struts are nothing to worry about, though, as replacement is simple and cheap.

Verdict

Let’s face it, this isn’t a classic for those that like to keep a low profile. There’s simply no avoiding the attention you’ll get when driving a DeLorean, and for many owners that’s all part of the appeal. If you want to spend hours talking to people in car parks and on fuel station forecourts then this is the car for you. And we love it for that. It’s just such a fun car to look at and travel in, and while the driving experience itself isn’t all that sporty that doesn’t really matter.

In any case, it’s more capable than some would have you believe and on the UK’s speed camera-infested roads the performance is decent enough. And the ownership proposition is further boosted by the huge enthusiasm and expertise within owner’s clubs and specialists, so you’ll never be stuck for help and advice.

Values

They’ve certainly been on the up over the last decade or so, and where once you could source a project for around £10k you can pretty much double that today. Even something in reasonable condition but still with work to do is in the region of £25k-30k, and good ones have headed a shade north of £40k. You’ll need another £10k+ if it’s more of a show-winner you’re after, but even then you can spend more than that for something exceptional and with a very low mileage. Back in 2022 Iconic Auctioneers sold a very rare right-hand drive example for £85,500! Okay, so that was unusual but it demonstrates just how much some people are willing to pay for the right car.

If you’re happy to look further afield then America is the obvious hunting ground but remember to factor-in the additional shipping and importation costs. There’s a decent number of cars already in the UK, so if that’s your preference then the owner’s club and specialists like Chris Nicholson should be your starting point.

DeLorean DMC-12 timeline

1981

The first production DeLorean rolls off the production at the Dunmurry factory. It’s the beginning of a short but eventful story.

1982

It’s a big year for the firm, but not a good one. It goes into receivership in February, is bankrupt in October and the last cars are produced in December.

1985

The DeLorean legend gets a shot in the arm with the release of Back to the Future. It provided inspiration for a whole host of replicas, so why not pay your own homage to ‘Doc’ Brown?

DeLorean DMC-12 buyer’s guide