Barn find in MA

[Mcv200]

Just ran across this Craigslist add for a "Barn" find car in Massachusetts. I have not personally looked at this car, but it seems to be a decent project car for the price.

Just tossing it out there...

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/d/1982-delorean-dmc12/6416136158.html

[ozoner]

Just ran across this Craigslist add for a "Barn" find car in Massachusetts. I have not personally looked at this car, but it seems to be a decent project car for the price.

Just tossing it out there...

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/d/1982-delorean-dmc12/6416136158.html

Thank you. Just what I'm looking for and just a few hours from me. I shall check her out!

[refugeefromcalif]

It's VIN tag of 3911 shows that it's a 1981, Not an 82 as the ad says.

54832

George

[David T]

It's VIN tag of 3911 shows that it's a 1981, Not an 82 as the ad says.

54832

George

Assuming it needs everything (all "barn finds" that have been sitting for a long time do) it can take $20K worth of just parts, forget about labor. $15K + $20K = $35K. You can buy a nice runner for a lot less than that so $15K is a bit ambitious.
3911 comes up as an '81 recorded in Turnbridge VT as of 2001 according to the Delorean Chronology. As for what year, the Title should say '81 but who knows? Assuming it is complete (nothing missing) all the glass is good, the Title is clean, the frame isn't rotten, and the S/S panels aren't dented, it can be worth as much as $10K.

[Michael]

Assuming it needs everything (all "barn finds" that have been sitting for a long time do) it can take $20K worth of just parts, forget about labor. $15K + $20K = $35K. You can buy a nice runner for a lot less than that so $15K is a bit ambitious.
3911 comes up as an '81 recorded in Turnbridge VT as of 2001 according to the Delorean Chronology. As for what year, the Title should say '81 but who knows? Assuming it is complete (nothing missing) all the glass is good, the Title is clean, the frame isn't rotten, and the S/S panels aren't dented, it can be worth as much as $10K.

15k for a decent looking car that runs and we are putting 20k into it? Now who's being a bit ambitious? If that car were closer to me even I would be giving that one some serious thought and I'm not much for getting my hands dirty. I have seen people pay more than for a BHCC parts car(and been happy with their purchase). In today's market, 15k for a car in that condition sounds reasonable to me.

[Michael]

serious inquiries only no trades asking 15k

I bet 13.5k-14k would easily buy it and a good haggler migh even do better. In short, that looks like a lot of car for less than 15k especially considering other's asking prices:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/Cars-Trucks/6001/i.html?_from=R40&_vxp=mtr&_nkw=delorean&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

[David T]

15k for a decent looking car that runs and we are putting 20k into it? Now who's being a bit ambitious? If that car were closer to me even I would be giving that one some serious thought and I'm not much for getting my hands dirty. I have seen people pay more than for a BHCC parts car(and been happy with their purchase). In today's market, 15k for a car in that condition sounds reasonable to me.

I guess that depends on your definition of "runs". The description said he had it running on Ether. I take that to mean the fuel system is not functioning even after cleaning the tank and replacing the pump. The brakes will need to be rebuilt. Tires, struts, battery, door seals, coolant system, etc. Once you get things to work you eventually get to the problem that caused the car to be parked in the first place. Having brought back from the "dead" more than a few cars, the one thing I learned is that it is expensive. Getting more to your point, $15K may sound OK to you and you (or another person) would spend for it. My point is you have to compare it against an actual driver that you can get in and drive enough to check all of it's systems like the steering, brakes, and transmission. For $35K or less, you can buy a nice driver that you can enjoy right away. That "barn find" will take a while before you can enjoy it, never mind all the money. I mention all of this so you can compare a barn find against a driver. There are a lot of reasons not to buy that barn find unless you can get it cheap. Once you drag it home you will discover you must evict all of the critters that took up residence inside and disinfect it before you can begin to repair all of the damage they caused. The actual sale price is the cheap part. Once you get it you are in it for the whole long, expensive ride. Been there, done that. Always buy the best car you can afford. The cheapest car is not the cheapest deal. If you want a project then that's a good reason to buy it. Just be honest with yourself BEFORE you jump in.

[DMC-81]

Wow, it looks good. I agree with Michael. If the frame and the rest of the car is in as good shape as what's pictured, then $15k is a great deal ( like he said.. in today's market ). Maybe 7-10 years ago $15k would have been ambitious. I wouldn't delay on looking at it if you're interested (and you are looking for a restoration project).

Also, as someone who just completed a high level restoration on a car that needed a thorough restoration, if you need to spend $20K just in parts on a running car, your resto goals are higher than mine. I know because I tracked every receipt on mine in a spreadsheet, by category ...parts, tools & supplies, and labor.

Good luck!

[Michael]

I took it as it runs fine after the starting fluid (ie, CSV, mixture out of whack) and I took it that the major components like injectors, distributer, etc. were in working order. I actually drove a car just like this that had a cold start problem, but it ran great once it started with a bit of starting fluid. I am also assuming the rest of the car looks as decent as the pictures so yes I'm assuming a lot but for that price point and what I saw thus far, if I were in the market for a fixer upper, this would have my curiosity peaked.

[Riley88]

15k for a decent looking car that runs and we are putting 20k into it? Now who's being a bit ambitious? If that car were closer to me even I would be giving that one some serious thought and I'm not much for getting my hands dirty. I have seen people pay more than for a BHCC parts car(and been happy with their purchase). In today's market, 15k for a car in that condition sounds reasonable to me.
gotta agree with michael here, i dont feel 15k is bad at all tbh. Pics seemed decent. I read they started it was like OH SHI_ then read oh we cleaned out the fuel tank, was like whew. Could be good if someone could get eyes on to verify

[Lwanmtr]

If I hadnt gotten mine a couple years ago (for around the same after renting the trailer and truck to haul it home), I'd look at that one. I dont think you'd need another 20k in parts.

[powerline84]

I bought my barn find In November of 16 completley mechanicaly restored it and by August of 17 drove it on a 1000 mile rode trip. For guys like me buying a running ready to go car is no fun. It's all about perspective. If i wanted to buy another project I would have no issues taking a look at this car for purchase.

[dodint]

The series of pictures is somewhat odd. Are they dragging it through that uncut field with a tractor for fun or what?

[Michael]

The series of pictures is somewhat odd. Are they dragging it through that uncut field with a tractor for fun or what?

He looks to have added more pics. To answer your question, that was probably the day he bought it, pulling it out of the barn (which is behind the photographer).

After seeing the extra pics, I would go and give it some serious consideration if it were closer. That is going to make someone looking for a cheap "fixer upper" very very happy and with all the people who constantly post about wanting something just like this, I'm stupefied that the ad is still up.

[dodint]

Yeah, that series of pics wasn't there yesterday. I assumed the trailer pics were from when he bought it, which signals to me to disregard them in terms of current condition. Also might indicate that it didn't run when parked, hence the need for a tractor. Some odd choices there, like the pic of the drill sitting on the louver. I admire their honesty if nothing else.

I'm not interested in the car and have no stake, just making observations on a slow Friday. I encourage anyone to go check it out for themselves.

[Ras12]

I spotted this cars a while back in VT and posted it before it went up fit auction. Sold by the original owner's son who was asking $14k before the auctions. Never sold in either auction then apparently purchased by a MA person who is also a mechanic by trade.

Apparently he purchased it for under $10k, I believe around $7500...yes kicking myself for not buying it and you can kick me when you see me too just as a reminder. Definately sold for under $10k but not sure of the price. It wasn't running so the buyer obviously did some work to it.

See some history here...

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?14003-VIN-3911-from-VT-previously-up-for-auction-July-2015&highlight=Vermont+auction

[DMC-81]

Yikes! That doesn't look like it was "stored in a climate controlled garage". From the new pictures, it looks more like it was "abused and abandoned outside". It makes me wonder if the mechanic purchaser is only trying to flip it make a quick buck or did he find some serious issue about restoring it?

In that case, I would proceed with caution, check the frame /underside throughly, and if possible talk to the original family about its history. Was the left front fender fixed, and is there more body damage? Etc.

[Jonathan]

Any chance this car was submerged at some point? Like flood damaged. There aren't a lot of good pictures of the interior to go by, but that 2nd photo makes me think the leather boot around the shifter as well as some of the carpeting is in funky shape. Agree with Dana about proceeding with caution. Add checking the title to the list of things being examined before buying.