So who would have actually owned a DeLorean in 1981?

[AirmanPika]

So looking back...compared with modern times, what exactly was the demographic? I know that come celebs owned them, but in modern terms what would we see today? Was it simply a high end car that anyone with the right finances owned, or was it considered an exotic along the lines of Lamborghini or Ferrari (image wise anyway...we know performance was questionable...maybe not then tho?)

[kings1527]

Most likely, no way. In fact, I think 12-13 years ago would've been tough for me. I know you had the DML and other support groups but this forum has been invaluable to me for figuring things out and making ownership fun. The knowledgebase here is beyond what they had at the factory and it's a group like this that plays a huge role with keeping cars on the road. You can keep in touch with people a lot easier on the internet, whereas I'd imagine you had to be part of a physical local group before, or at least subscribe to DeLorean World.

Ownership must've been such a chore back then whereas today it's so much easier. I wouldn't have wanted to put up with such a headache back then. And for anyone who was/is OG and stuck it out, congrats.

[Ryan King]

I know an original owner in SF. He walked up to the lot & bought it brand new in 1981.

[DMCVegas]

I didn't find out until years later after he passed away, my father who was NOT a car guy by any means fell in love with the DMC-12 and went down to try and buy one. The problem of course was that it was only a 2 seater, so my parents had no where to put me. So that killed the deal. It was so strange to me that he never admitted to liking a sports car, but as a man who abhorred them it did make sense why of all the cars I ever wanted he actually encouraged me to get one and spoke very highly of it.

It was certainly a higher-end car thanks to it's price and looks. From what I gather, many of the early adopters paid cash, though in the months after debuting GMAC pulled financing. One of the questions I've always asked POs is if they paid cash, or if they financed. Most actually financed their cars, and did it through Credit Union auto loans.

Pre-arrest it always seemed like the biggest demographics were of more affluent people (doctors, highly technical people, and pilots come to mind), or ones that just loved to show off with a radically different car.

[aotmfilms]

I didn't find out until years later after he passed away, my father who was NOT a car guy by any means fell in love with the DMC-12 and went down to try and buy one. The problem of course was that it was only a 2 seater, so my parents had no where to put me. So that killed the deal. It was so strange to me that he never admitted to liking a sports car, but as a man who abhorred them it did make sense why of all the cars I ever wanted he actually encouraged me to get one and spoke very highly of it.

It was certainly a higher-end car thanks to it's price and looks. From what I gather, many of the early adopters paid cash, though in the months after debuting GMAC pulled financing. One of the questions I've always asked POs is if they paid cash, or if they financed. Most actually financed their cars, and did it through Credit Union auto loans.

Pre-arrest it always seemed like the biggest demographics were of more affluent people (doctors, highly technical people, and pilots come to mind), or ones that just loved to show off with a radically different car.

Yep, here in Detroit (John Z's birthplace), it was the more affluent people who owned them. Roy Sparks who owned "Country Boy Restaurant" in Hazel Park Michigan had one. It was the first Delorean that I sat in back in 1982.

IMO the demographic would have had to been more affluent people as how the car cost 25k back then (60k in today's dollars) (or the cost of an average 2 bedroom centerblock home in Hazel Park, MI in 1980)). JohnZ thinking that 12K was "affordable" back then (DMC-12), probably didn't get the memo that most people couldn't afford that.

Car prices back in 1980: http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/80scars.html

How Much Cars Cost In The 80's
Chevrolet Cavalier $7,171 Illinois 1984
BMW 325 $21,330 New York 1988
Buick Regal $6,119 New York 1980
Camero Coupe $7,571 Illinois 1984
Camero Z28 Dash $7,263 1980
Chevrolet Corvette $23,392 Illinois 1984
Chevy S10 Pickup $6,993 Illinois 1984
Chrysler Cordoba $6,745 1980
Chrysler New Yorker $10,459 1980
Chrysler New Yorker $13,045 Illinois 1984
Chrysler Voyager $12,632 New York 1988
Datsun 210 sedan $4,516 New York 1980
Datsun Stanza $6,600 Maryland 1982
Dodge Ram Charger 4 wheel drive $6,203 New York 1980
Ford Escort $5,189 Maryland 1982
Ford Mustang $6,572 Maryland 1982
Ford Mustang $7,286 Ohio 1985
Ford Probe $12,695 California 1989


Ford Taurus $9,996 New York 1988
Ford Thunderbird $6,816 1980
GMC 1500 Pickup $5,400 Maryland 1982
Lincoln Zephyr $4,973 New York 1980
Mercury Couger $12,593 New York 1988
Nissan Pickup $5,634 Illinois 1984
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme $6,695 New York 1980
Plymouth Colt $4,999 New Jersey 1986
Pontiac Catalina $6,671 1980
Pontiac Firebird $5,992 New York 1980
Pontiac Grand AM $9,965 New York 1988
Pontiac Le mans 6000 $6,230 Maryland 1982
Pontiac Sunbird $5,164 1980
Pontiac Trans Am $7,481 1980
Subaru Justy $6,194 New York 1988
Toyota Celica $5,964 New York 1980
Triumph TR8 $11,105 1981
Volkswagen Rabbit $6,994 Illinois 1984
Yugo $3,669 New York 1988

So I agree, it was mostly business owners here in the Detroit area that had them. My Dad knew and worked with about 5 people that paid cash for theirs.

--Aotmfilms

[Jonathan]

As no more than just a guess, from my impression of the 80s, our cars and the current era, I would say it would be a similar demographic to those now buying Tesla's.

[David T]

As no more than just a guess, from my impression of the 80s, our cars and the current era, I would say it would be a similar demographic to those now buying Tesla's.

The demographic, at least in the beginning, was for those who would have bought a Corvette which the Delorean was directly competing against. That would be single men or professional men with a large income in major metropolitan cities. Not only was the Delorean expensive, because the dealers had limited quantities, they had waiting lists even before the cars were being delivered. Just to get on a waiting list many dealers were charging for the privilege in addition to the price of the car! At this time original owners are very rare to find. Most of the Deloreans are on at least their second, if not third (or more!), owner. Because the car was always thought to become a collectible many were "stored" waiting for that "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow". The Delorean, like any other car, does not store well, especially if it is not properly prepared for long term storage. The current demographic seems to be young people who were always fascinated by the car because of the movies and can now afford them. Even considering a high retail price, say $30,000, it is a bargain when you compare what a new car can cost today. That makes the Delorean an affordable collectible/daily driver.

[Gfrank]

Yep, here in Detroit (John Z's birthplace), it was the more affluent people who owned them. Roy Sparks who owned "Country Boy Restaurant" in Hazel Park Michigan had one. It was the first Delorean that I sat in back in 1982.

So I agree, it was mostly business owners here in the Detroit area that had them. My Dad knew and worked with about 5 people that paid cash for theirs.

--Aotmfilms

And the lady that won my 82 new in a raffle at the caddy dealer in Plymouth lol. wasn't sure if she could keep it as she was hard pressed to pay the taxes

[DMC-81]

I got a one owner car, and from my research, he was a mid twenties tech graduate and F-16 pilot when he bought the car in the summer of 1981.

[aotmfilms]

Another reason, at least in my Dad's case (he's 74), is that either the original Delorean owners are either Dead or so old that some of them couldn't drive the Delorean even if they wanted to. It's hard for me to climb out of, things like climbing out of a Vette and I'm 44. Not to mention the Ginormous blind spots you have. The old farts lol can barely see as it is