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 :D

[andy blackmon]

I missed owning a Delorean in '81 by one month. I got mine in Jan of '82 and still have it. At the time I looked at Corvettes and other sport cars but hey anyone could have a normal car, I wanted something with flair. I have put thousands of dollars in my car and to me it has been money well spent, I still love my car and will try to find a way to take it with me when I go. Plan B is if someone comes along that truly love my car and is a person who I think will be kind to my baby I may sell it, but not yet.
Andy B 03513

[Silverbullet]

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 :D

Ah..... WOW... 44? I am over 60... Have 2 Corvettes and a Delorean... Not a problem to get in or out.... You may need to hit the Gym... I love Cars, and "IF" it becomes a real problem to get in or out... I will be sad....

Craig

[Rad Dad]

Whoa! Cease and desist with the old farts comments. This old fart will be 82 in less than 2 months. I bought a DeLorean new in 1982. I still drive my DeLorean, actually the second one I have owned....and I traded in my original automatic so that I could have a 5 speed....and I put over 7,000 miles on it last year. I have now driven a DeLorean in 45 of the lower 48 states and in 7 Canadian Provinces. *&^*&%$&@&*&^% dang know it all youngsters :bash:

Dick Ryan

[SS Spoiler]

You tell'm Dick!


Paul Cerny 2691
Kalispell, MT

[DeMopar]

The father of a girl who I went to grade school with bought one brand new. I remember him picking her up in it from school around '82-'83. It was the first one I'd ever seen, and living in a small town at the time it was a really big deal! He was an Orthodontist BTW.

My father, who was a banker in the '80s had the opportunity to buy one back around '84 from a friend for around $10,000. The thinking at the time was that there was no place to buy parts or service the car.

[louielouie2000]

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.

That's a reasonably fair assessment. When I first got involved in the DeLorean community and began searching for my first DeLorean about 15 years ago, I encountered a decent amount of original owners. Many I came across were or had been business owners. Other than that, there seemed to be a large amount of them who were involved in the sciences/engineering fields. There are of course exceptions to everything, though. There is an original owner in North Carolina who was in law enforcement & married with kids when he bought his new. If there is one constant, I'd say that all the original owners I've come across have been just like the car & it's creator- big personalities! The DeLorean was, after all, a statement car.

I think the Tesla comparison is very apt, as well. Because if you think about it, both vehicles appeal to the same type of buyers (when new). DeLorean, like Tesla, wanted to shatter the traditional automotive manufacturing model & turn the business upside down. DeLorean & Tesla also touted the whole 'ethical' thing, albeit for different reasons. Because of their MSRP's, both marques attracted affluent folks. And definitely strong individuals who weren't scared to make a statement with the controversial vehicle they drove. I'd also argue both marques attracted a certain "nerd" quotient, too (I mean that in the most flattering way possible).

There were of course some people who fit none of the enthusiast model, though. These are the folks who bought their cars thinking they would be instant classics. They bought them to make money, in other words. I think most of those folks 1) either bailed pretty quickly 2) stored away their cars when they quickly realized they'd bought a losing investment.

[JohnZ]

*&^*&%$&@&*&^% dang know it all youngsters :bash:


Go and get 'em boy!! :cool1:

hi Dick! :)

[DMCVegas]

Not to mention the Ginormous blind spots you have.

That's a very interesting point that has come up in the past. People for years have complained about the rear visibility of the DeLorean, and I've always said that I just don't see the problem. A convex mirror on the passenger side would help, but I've never had a problem with the visibility. But I think that has to do with my age.

Old cars had really thin C-Pillars for decades in order to preserve the rear visibility. That all changed in the early 90's or so if I'm not mistaken (Jalopnik had an article on it that I can't seem to find at the moment) where the rollover safety of cars needed to be improved. The study offered several solutions, but the only viable one was to create thicker C-Pillars in order to prevent the top of the car from collapsing and crushing the occupants inside. Which the DMC-12 has thick B-Pillars to support the doors, and C-Pillars to match perspective. If you look at older compact cars of the 70's through the mid 90's, you can see not only thinner C-Pillars, but large pieces of glass stretching across the rear between the pillars as far as possible to maximize visibility and reduce blind spots. If you compare pretty much any modern car, you don't have as wide of an area to look out of. Hatch or sedan.

The argument about visibility seems to mostly be a thing with older owners. Myself, I learned to drive trucks where I had to rely on my side mirrors more than my rearview, and I also didn't start driving until the late 90's when all of these vehicles with reduced visibility came out. So perhaps I myself and the younger owners haven't really never noticed a problem because we've always driven cars with reduced visibility thanks to huge C-Pillars anyway.

Hell, we bought a Ford Focus as a commuter last year, and it has about the same visibility as the DeLorean when you're looking out of the back. The only difference is that like most cars today, you get those convex mirrors, and all sorts of other parking and lane change assist features from lights & warning chimes to outright backup cameras. You can even get parking assist features where the entire vehicle will parallel park itself for you. Take that kind of stuff away, and I still think that save for having to look through two panes of glass (which sucks if you neglect to clean them), the DeLorean is about on par with most modern cars nowadays in terms of visibility. Even the A-Pillars in my truck are bigger with the grab handles.

[aotmfilms]

Ah..... WOW... 44? I am over 60... Have 2 Corvettes and a Delorean... Not a problem to get in or out.... You may need to hit the Gym... I love Cars, and "IF" it becomes a real problem to get in or out... I will be sad....

Craig

Actually I DO "Hit the Gym". And BTW it was my first time in a D in 30 years. I equated it to a Vette when getting in or out of it so those that never have driven it can know. Also as a veteran of 2 combat tours and running 33 miles a week for 20 years in the Military (or 1,500+ miles a year), my knees are not what they used to be. I ride 60 plus miles at a whack on a bike, I wonder if you could do the same? As how the median age life expectancy of the average American (the general market for these cars), was 74, most people would draw my same conclusion that some, if not most, original owners would be dead by now. My Dad was 41 in 82. As previously stated, 5 of his friends paid cash for theirs. MOST of them have passed. I think one is still alive he sold his D 20 years ago. You have to understand that health issues were different back then, smoking ads, asbestos were still generally used etc, we are somewhat a more aware society on health issues vs then. My Dad's friends did not take care of themselves. Lung cancer claimed one.

[aotmfilms]

Whoa! Cease and desist with the old farts comments. This old fart will be 82 in less than 2 months. I bought a DeLorean new in 1982. I still drive my DeLorean, actually the second one I have owned....and I traded in my original automatic so that I could have a 5 speed....and I put over 7,000 miles on it last year. I have now driven a DeLorean in 45 of the lower 48 states and in 7 Canadian Provinces. *&^*&%$&@&*&^% dang know it all youngsters :bash:

Dick Ryan

That is AWESOME! Glad you were able to do that! This youngster hopes to do the very same thing when I get 82 in 2052. Seriously though, that is pretty cool. No offense!

[Dangermouse]

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.

I would go along with this.

My cars OO was the founder of AristoCraft boats, post war wooden craft that gave way to fiberglass craft in the 60s and 70s. I thought it was his engineering nature that drew him to the D, but looking at their website I note that he retired in 1980, so perhaps this was are retirement gift.

[Hokie]

My car's OO was an attorney from PA. I hope to find the name one day.

[Lenny]

I was a cop making about 18,000.00 a year. There was no way I could have bought a car that cost almost 1/3 more that I was making. Plus I was recently divorced paying child support.

I wanted one I liked the
1. Doors
2. Stainless Steel
3. The design
4. I liked sports cars I previously owned a Triumph TR3, Triumph GT6, Triumph Spitfire.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

The owner before you was Rory Read who moved down south from Conneticut some time later where you found it. I know because I sold him the car in 2006. I can't remember the name of the guy in PA that I bought it from but it may turn up some day.
Rob





My car's OO was an attorney from PA. I hope to find the name one day.

[Hokie]

The owner before you was Rory Read who moved down south from Conneticut some time later where you found it. I know because I sold him the car in 2006. I can't remember the name of the guy in PA that I bought it from but it may turn up some day.
Rob

Yep, I gathered that info. about Mr. Read when I bought the car - actually spoke to him prior to the purchase. As I say, hope to have the OO's name someday.

[delornut]

Whoa! Cease and desist with the old farts comments. This old fart will be 82 in less than 2 months. I bought a DeLorean new in 1982. I still drive my DeLorean, actually the second one I have owned....and I traded in my original automatic so that I could have a 5 speed....and I put over 7,000 miles on it last year. I have now driven a DeLorean in 45 of the lower 48 states and in 7 Canadian Provinces. *&^*&%$&@&*&^% dang know it all youngsters :bash:

Dick Ryan

Dick, myself and a few others drove our DeLoreans each summer for many years on two week cross country trips all over the U.S. and parts of Canada. I owned a Bricklin when the DeLoreans came out and having followed the development of the car decided to buy one. I worked for Ford for 38 years and cars were always a part of my life, I've owned over 60. Over the years Dick and I along with our other friends drove in a few 3 day road rallys that brought us to Road America with track time on that circuit. I owned my car for 32 years and sold it last year. My only reason for selling it was with limited garage space in our townhouse I needed room for my MGB restoration. Guess at my age, 73, I wanted to try something I always wanted to do with a British car. The demographics of DeLorean ownership, as mentioned here previously, seems to have drifted more to Back To The Future interests. While I found the movies fun my interests really are more towards the car side of things. When I retired I headed to Laguna Seca to do Skip Barber's racing school. Age doesn't have to be a detractor to enjoying cars.

Bruce Benson