I'm Finally Making a Post - Starting to Get Serious About Buying a D

[DeLoreanDMD]

Hello,

I have lurked here for a number of years but finally decided to make a post.

Ever since I was a kid, I have been fascinated by Delorean's. In high school, a buddy's dad had one and after riding around in it a couple times...I fell in love and decided someday I would own one of my own. Now, nearly 20 years later, I think that day is only a couple years away so I need to start really learning the finer details of these cars and deciding exactly what I want...and what I don't want. I already have some cash set aside and I am planning on selling one of my "fun" cars once I am ready to seriously make this purchase. But, there is a lot of learning to do.

From my basic research, it appears that factory options on these cars were rather limited. From what I can tell, the options were: automatic vs. manual transmission and grey vs. black interior. Everything else was pretty much standard. Is that accurate? With that in mind, based on the cars I have seen I think I like the grey interior better. Is one more popular/valuable than the other? For transmission I'm 100% a 5-speed car guy, I won't buy an automatic. Does one tend to sell for more than the other?

As I understand it, the majority of variations on these cars comes from design changes made throughout the run of production. I know there are a bunch of them...but the one's that really stand out to me are the hood and the antenna. I know I don't like the look of the cars with the antenna in the front fender and I don't care for the later flat hood. I know the gas-flap hood is popular, but I have heard mixed things about it. I have heard that they can rattle while driving down the road and they negatively impact the look of the car. On the other hand, they make refueling much more simple as you don't have to open the hood.

What are the thoughts on the gas flap hood? Are they really more desirable and how much do they affect the value? Do they rattle? Can someone give me some pros/cons on this feature?

The only other thing that I really don't like that I have seen is some cars have a wide black stripe on the side. As I understand it, this was a dealer option. I don't care for this look and much prefer the thin trim.

Also, I would prefer a clean mostly original driver...doesn't have to be a pristine show car. I don't care for or need the performance upgrades or any of that. I'd like to find one pretty much stock.

So, based on my early research I here is where I think I stand:

Must Haves
5-speed
Good Condition, Clean Interior, Mostly Stock Driver
Grey Interior (I think)
Original

Unsure Of
Gas-Flap vs. No Gas Flap

Must Not Have
Fixed Antenna on Front Fender
Non-Grooved Hood
No Wide Stripe on Side

As I begin to research this further, I would appreciate any thoughts or comments. Any suggestions on resources to learn more about these cars...other than just reading the forum which I have already begun to do. If anyone has any specific threads I should read please let me know.

Is the car I have described here unusual or difficult to find? Obviously due diligence will need to be done on any prospective purchase, but I'm not looking for a "unicorn" am I? Am I being realistic?

What can I expect for maintenance? Are these cars hard/expensive to keep on the road if being using as a weekend/nice weather driver? My expectation would be to put no more than 1000 miles on the car per year.

[SamHill]

I can see interior color and transmission as being deal breakers, but everything else is subordinate to the condition and price of the car.

[WHO1DMC]

There are cars with grooved hood's and antenna in the back but are harder to find. For a non gas flap hood getting gas you get use to it. Dealing with a busy gas station and the people it will draw is another.


Good luck!
Dave B.

[Michael]

Finding a DeLorean in any combination of styles/options is not hard to do at all. As long as you are willing to meet the seller's price, you should have no issues whatsoever. There is no shortage of good condition cars for sale. Check at DMC Florida, they always have quite a few in stock.

In the span of a month or 2, the perfect car will be available for purchase if it isn't already.

PS: Original and daily driver. You got to choose. You can't have it both ways.

[adam_knox]

Also, to my understanding an antenna hole on the hood can be welded over and indecernable from a stock hood by the average Joe. So then you could just make a hole in the rear or put in an antenna windshield.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[adam_knox]

As for gas flap hood, I personally like the look of no flap and it hasn't been a hassle opening the whole hood to fill the tank. I don't think having the hood up draws more attention than the doors being up (or the car in general), so it wouldn't be a con to not have a flap in my book.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[DeLoreanDMD]

For a non gas flap hood getting gas you get use to it. Dealing with a busy gas station and the people it will draw is another.
It seems like opening the hood is a minor inconvenience. At first, I thought a gas flap hood was a must but the more I think about it the less important it seems. Plus, I think it negative affects the lines of the hood. Gas stations are an issue anyway. I live in the great state of Oregon...home of not being allowed to pump your own gas. So, even slow stations can be an issue as you have to wait for an attendant and interesting cars always draw people in. I had a 1969 Camaro SS396 for years and lately my "fun" car has been an Indy 500 Pace Car. So, attention is just part of the deal.


PS: Original and daily driver. You got to choose. You can't have it both ways.
Original is key for me. I have no intention of it being a daily driver. More of a weekend/nice weather fun car. Probably will do less than 1000 miles a year.

[Riley88]

the 2 mins to lift the hood to gas up occasionally is hardly a big deal.

[eight8toy]

the 2 mins to lift the hood to gas up occasionally is hardly a big deal.

2 mins? More like 4 secs!

[Michael]

the 2 mins to lift the hood to gas up occasionally is hardly a big deal.

You mean 2 seconds right?

I never got the hood issue myself. It never bothered me my hood is flat as I really like the Delorean badge and let's face it, the grooves make it hard to put a badge on and it not look out of place. If I had a flap and/or grooved hood I would be just as content. Sure I have my preference but in the big picture, hood styles, interior color, even drivetrains pale in comparison to overall condition with me. I wanted a black interior flapped hood 5 speed, I got a black interior flat hood auto because I didn't let nuances prevent me from scoring a first class car. Actually the only original part of my car is the vin plates. Nobody has noticed or cared yet.

62567
62568
62569
62570

My advice is A: Don't worry too much about originality. 40 year old injector lines can burn a car to the ground on a 1,000 mile per year car too. B: Don't let details deter you from an otherwise nice car vs. buying a rougher car that has what you want. I would much rather replace an antenna fender or a flat hood or peel off a stripe than replace the cylinder liners. I mean how much fun is that gas flap if you can't take it to the gas station?

Edit: sometimes though you can have your cake and eat it too

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?17817-New-Listing!-1981-DeLorean-DMC-12-5-speed-manual-black-interior-in-excellent-condi

[David T]

When buying an old, used car the most important characteristic is condition. Fixing up an old car can cost a ton of money so unless you buy it cheap enough and can do a lot of the work yourself, my advice is to always buy a car in the best condition you can. Just about anything else can be changed but the more expensive things are the interior and the transmission so you should try to get the car you want with those at least. If you don't know what you are looking at, ie, you don't have a lot of mechanical experience with cars and Deloreans in particular, you should get someone to help you examine the car when you are ready to purchase it. Get in touch with local owners. They can offer a lot of assistance. Don't buy the first one you see and don't buy one just because it is local. If you take your time there are plenty that come up for sale and by then you will have learned what to look for.

[Rich]

++ on David T's advice.

If you're not already using this book (https://store.delorean.com/p-10550-the-illustrated-buyers-guide-to-delorean-automobiles.aspxhttp://) be sure to pick up a copy to augment what you know so far. James Espey's Buyer's Guide to DeLorean Automobiles. As a long-time lurker you probably already know about it.

Expect your wish list to get a little longer before you make up your mind but you're off to a good start. Hood, stripes and antenna type are all important factors but the engine and frame condition are the real keys if you plan to keep it a while. Body panel fit and fascia condition may also be important considerations.

[Riley88]

You mean 2 seconds right?

I never got the hood issue myself. It never bothered me my hood is flat as I really like the Delorean badge and let's face it, the grooves make it hard to put a badge on and it not look out of place. If I had a flap and/or grooved hood I would be just as content. Sure I have my preference but in the big picture, hood styles, interior color, even drivetrains pale in comparison to overall condition with me. I wanted a black interior flapped hood 5 speed, I got a black interior flat hood auto because I didn't let nuances prevent me from scoring a first class car. Actually the only original part of my car is the vin plates. Nobody has noticed or cared yet.

62567
62568
62569
62570

My advice is A: Don't worry too much about originality. 40 year old injector lines can burn a car to the ground on a 1,000 mile per year car too. B: Don't let details deter you from an otherwise nice car vs. buying a rougher car that has what you want. I would much rather replace an antenna fender or a flat hood or peel off a stripe than replace the cylinder liners. I mean how much fun is that gas flap if you can't take it to the gas station?

Edit: sometimes though you can have your cake and eat it too

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?17817-New-Listing!-1981-DeLorean-DMC-12-5-speed-manual-black-interior-in-excellent-condi
I included the time it takes to fill up the car but yes

[Jonathan]

Have you seen a car in person recently? You didn't say where you're located, but what you might want to do is go meet up with a local owner or two and see the differences with your own eyes, ask the owners about those differences, and then start looking at what is available for sale and for how much.

Like others said, most of what is on your list can be changed out. I wouldn't try a transmission swap just for the heck of it though. Interior colour wouldn't be the most economical thing to try and change either. Hood, antenna, wide stripe, those are all fairly easy to change. And definitely current condition versus original features if you need to choose one of those.

You are right that there were only two options (transmission and interior colour) and the other differences were chronological production changes. And there were many of them, some significant, some not so much. Fixed pull straps, exhaust tip style, stereo type/console clock, wheel colour. Again, go see several different cars and you'll see the differences in our identical snowflakes.

I have the front fender antenna, lighter gray than normal painted fascias and the original 4x4 appearance package (non-lowered stance). And I like mine the way it is. As well as having an automatic. That's just me. Personal preferences are funny like that. Be careful getting exactly what you want. More things to regret if you choose them versus it choosing you. Read the Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz if you don't understand what I mean.

[Hill Valley PD]

Please purchase The Delorean Buyer's Guide by James Espey. The flat hood is found on all 82s and 83s, so you'd be looking for a 1981 model year car. The gas flap is on VINs up to about 3200 or approximately 2,700 cars. MOST gas flap hood cars have a black interior as do all "earlier" production cars. It is rare to find a gas flap with a grey interior, but they exist in small numbers. Also, the fender mounted antenna was not around too long - maybe August and some September, 1981 production cars? My car is July 1981 with black interior and windshield antenna. I know October 81 cars don't have it. The good news is you seem to like the most common combination for these cars: groove hood, grey interior, five speed, so you'd probably be looking for an October or November 81 production car most likely. HOWEVER, condition trumps everything. It is much easier to change antenna placement than it is to replace/repair a bad frame. I would further encourage you to attend a DeLorean event like DCS or visit one of The Delorean franchises and look at several cars to see what price point you will be at for what you want. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to look at cars in varying states of condition, so you will know a good one from a bad one. Good luck!

[louielouie2000]

I have to agree with Jonathan here. Yes, condition is paramount... but this isn't a used Toyota Camry, this is your dream car. If you don't buy a DeLorean with the transmission and interior color you want, you WILL regret it. The good news is grey interior 5-speed cars are the most plentiful DeLorean combination... and the overwhelming majority of them will have the lined hood without the gas flap. So you definitely aren't looking for a unicorn. The most rare combination by far is an '83 black interior (some call the '83 black interiors two-toned since the carpets and headliner are lighter colored) with an automatic transmission... they probably made less than a hundred of those.

Regarding the gas flap... it has its pluses and minuses. Yes, it's handy to be able to have access to the gas cap without opening the hood... especially since DeLoreans are pretty infamous for their hood release cables snapping or coming untethered. However, the flaps themselves have issues. When you open them, the leading edge nearest the filler cap is razor sharp, and will slice your fingers open. Some owners have come up with remedies for this, one of which involves folding the sharp edge over on itself. The clip style hinges on the flap are pretty crappy too, and have been known to break. But in reality, there aren't more than a couple hundred grey interior cars with gas flaps, anyway... so it's kinda a moot point.

Like Jonathan said, see if you can meet up with some local owners before buying. You might find your must haves may be more flexible than you think. For instance, I used to HATE the wide black stripes... until I actually saw a car with them in person. The wide stripes look really cheesy in pictures, but I think they make the cars look very striking in the flesh.

[jackb]

Also, the fender mounted antenna was not around too long - maybe August and some September, 1981 production cars? My car is July 1981 with black interior and windshield antenna. I know October 81 cars don't have it.

My November 81 had a fender antenna.

[David T]

The "options" offered by the factory were;
floor mats
decal stripe
luggage rack
ski rack
car cover
polishing kit
Some dealers had their own specific things like undercoating, license plate frames, key chains, etc. Few cars were ordered by customers, the dealers "ordered" cars but in reality they were told how many they had to buy and they got what the factory sent them. The customers then chose from the dealer's stock. Included with the car was an owner's manual and valet with other paperwork, jack, lug wrench, jack handle, bag for the jack, handle and wrench, 2 sets of keys, front license plate holder, and spare tire. Things did vary year-to-year. Just about anything can be changed or obtained but the interior and the transmission choice would be very expensive. Ski racks are difficult but not impossible to find, hoods with flaps are also difficult to find. The combination you are interested in (with no flap) is probably the most common.

[SamHill]

My November 81 had a fender antenna.

As does mine.

[Alex Brooks]

[QUOTE=DeLoreanDMD;254408]It seems like opening the hood is a minor inconvenience. At first, I thought a gas flap hood was a must but the more I think about it the less important it seems. Plus, I think it negative affects the lines of the hood. Gas stations are an issue anyway. I live in the great state of Oregon...home of not being allowed to pump your own gas. So, even slow stations can be an issue as you have to wait for an attendant and interesting cars always draw people in. I had a 1969 Camaro SS396 for years and lately my "fun" car has been an Indy 500 Pace Car. So, attention is just part of the deal.


Where in Oregon are you ? I live in Bend, Oregon. To the best of my knowledge my delorean is the only one in the area.
I would like to have friend in town with another car.

[adam_knox]

My November 81 had a fender antenna.As did mine, same month and year too.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[MrChocky]

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/d/dallas-1981-delorean/7063779415.html

Perhaps this is the kind of car you want.

For anyone who really wants to know what it's like to own a D (other than actually owning one), I strongly recommend
listening to a few episodes of DeLorean Talk (https://www.deloreantalk.com/), especially some of the earlier episodes
where new owners go through various dramas.

[Michael]

For anyone who really wants to know what it's like to own a D...

http://iruntheinternet.com/lulzdump/images/gifs/farcry-3-riding-shark-rex-blood-dragon-1368143495T.gif

[Hill Valley PD]

As did mine, same month and year too.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Dammit, I was wrong. So fender antennas August -Nov '81? The reason I always thought the October '81s did not have them was because of the A car from Back to the Future did not have one. You learn something new all the time from this forum!

[TheStoffel]

My Oct 81 has the power antenna in the back.

[Hill Valley PD]

My Oct 81 has the power antenna in the back.

So the switch probably happened sometime that month. It makes sense since I could have sworn I've seen Oct '81 cars without it, which is why I thought August and September had it for sure. It still doesn't make sense why some Nov '81 cars would have it too. Then again, probably was a rolling change that happened, and some cars still got it and others didn't maybe ones pulled off the line for other stuff or what not.

[Michael]

Guys it's been 40 years. Lots of time for a panel to get damaged and swapped. There is no way tell if a certain panel is original to that vin. Just because a car has a grooved or flapped hood does not mean that's how it left the factory in 1981. Power antennas are available at Autozone. Antenna holes in fenders can be patched and regrained. Two years ago I sold a mint no hole right fender that had never been installed. Legend has that it was installed on a fender antenna car and the guy spent 59 bucks on a power antenna which was later spotted by a keen Delorean vin counter sending him into a panic attack. He was seen being wheeled off to the psych ward rambling on about vin breaks not making sense anymore.

[crbritt83]

For what it's worth, I can confirm that my Oct. 81 Delorean has the auto antenna in the rear left fender (original). 5431.

[Hill Valley PD]

For what it's worth, I can confirm that my Oct. 81 Delorean has the auto antenna in the rear left fender (original). 5431.

But do you REALLY know?! :)

[SamHill]

So the switch probably happened sometime that month. It makes sense since I could have sworn I've seen Oct '81 cars without it, which is why I thought August and September had it for sure. It still doesn't make sense why some Nov '81 cars would have it too. Then again, probably was a rolling change that happened, and some cars still got it and others didn't maybe ones pulled off the line for other stuff or what not.

It makes sense because changes happened in QACs

[David T]

The DMA had a speaker a while back who was a worker at one of the QAC's and he said plainly, if a certain car had to go to a certain dealer and they didn't have a part, they took it off of another car. The cars went out to dealers by vin so when a particular car had to go out it went out. And it had to be in good, sellable condition. He said there were times the car carrier was waiting to load cars that were still being fixed into the night!. The QAC centers had no concerns for the production changes or "correctness". You can only imagine what they did to the cannibalized cars at the end to put them back together and make them sellable! They were short on parts so they slapped them together any way they could. There is no way to tell how "original" any Delorean is except for a very few like the GOLD cars or the PILOT cars. Back then they did not put vin #'s on parts like they do now. What we have is how the car "should" be according to the running vin changes. The only place where any of this really matters is at a concours judging event and for anyone entering that, they prepare the car well in advance and they know the rules and what the judges will look for. BTW, not only did the QAC centers have to deal with the production errors and problems, many of the cars got some damage from shipping. This was especially common on the early cars, things got better as production improved. One worker told us just about every car that went through the QAC center had to have scratches polished out of the glass. He couldn't understand why no one figured out a way to keep the glass from getting scratched in the first place!

[louielouie2000]

The DMA had a speaker a while back who was a worker at one of the QAC's and he said plainly, if a certain car had to go to a certain dealer and they didn't have a part, they took it off of another car. The cars went out to dealers by vin so when a particular car had to go out it went out. And it had to be in good, sellable condition. He said there were times the car carrier was waiting to load cars that were still being fixed into the night!. The QAC centers had no concerns for the production changes or "correctness". You can only imagine what they did to the cannibalized cars at the end to put them back together and make them sellable! They were short on parts so they slapped them together any way they could. There is no way to tell how "original" any Delorean is except for a very few like the GOLD cars or the PILOT cars. Back then they did not put vin #'s on parts like they do now. What we have is how the car "should" be according to the running vin changes. The only place where any of this really matters is at a concours judging event and for anyone entering that, they prepare the car well in advance and they know the rules and what the judges will look for. BTW, not only did the QAC centers have to deal with the production errors and problems, many of the cars got some damage from shipping. This was especially common on the early cars, things got better as production improved. One worker told us just about every car that went through the QAC center had to have scratches polished out of the glass. He couldn't understand why no one figured out a way to keep the glass from getting scratched in the first place!

I absolutely love learning nerdy DeLorean stuff like this, thanks for sharing.

This reminds me of the most recent DeLorean auctioned on Bring A Trailer. It was a 1,500 mile very late series black interior '83 with the correct '82 & '83 style light grey "fuzzy" carpet. Except when you look closer, the carpet on the wheel arches in the parcel shelf appear to be the darker carpets from an '81 black interior car. At first I wondered if this was an earlier car that was pulled off the production line due to some sort of issue, and it was later finished & re-VIN'd as Consolidated wound the factory down. I didn't even think about the possibility of the car being cobbled together at a QAC. Look at pics 20 & 27 to see what I'm referencing:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-delorean-dmc-12-5/