Net Gain or Loss

[Dangermouse]

It seems like there is a steady stream of barn find cars, or cars being revitalized and presumably have been for many years.

At the same time there are cars/owners disappearing, as well as a steady stream of cars being exported.

So, are there more cars on the road (in regular use) in the US today than there were, say, 10 years ago? Or less?

[anywhen]

It has been 6 years since my DeLorean found me. In that time it seems that the DeLorean "Business" has changed. It appears to me that 6 years ago we had owners struggling to find used parts to save money. Nowdays it looks to me like owners are opening up their checkbook to "Pay the Man". Anyone else feel the same way?

[louielouie2000]

If I were to guess, I would say the number of registered DeLoreans is staying fairly static. Things like the Barrett Jackson Auction DeLoreans no doubt brought some cars out of hibernation. However, I have no doubt the Great Recession parked quite a few DeLoreans as well.

Regarding cars being exported, that's been a big thing for quite a while. I remember a pair of non-running DeLoreans I looked at back in 2000 or 2001 ended up being bought by Martin G & shipped to the UK. The emergence of vendors in Europe seems to have accelerated this process, though.

Regarding vendor activity: we gain some, we lose some. When I first came into the community 15 years ago we still had DMC Joe, DeLorean One, the Jag Shop, Specialty Automotive, (and I'm sure half a dozen others I'm forgetting). But now we have DeLorean Performance Industries, SEC Motorsports, the DMC franchises (including Florida, Midwest, California, Northwest, and Europe), and some others.

All this being said, I wouldn't say the hobby is really shrinking or growing. It's just constantly reinventing itself through owner & vendor turnover.

[Rich W]

So, are there more cars on the road (in regular use) in the US today than there were, say, 10 years ago? Or less?

On this specific topic, especially in the Great Lakes region of the Midwest, there are many more DeLoreans that are "road ready" if not regulary used,
since DMC Midwest has been in business. Granted, Dave's shop works on cars as far away as the East Coast and from Canada, but many local cars
have been pulled out of hibernation and made road ready, over the past 6 or 7 years. I know of several DeLorean owners in our local DMC Club that
would have sold their cars several years ago, if it were not for the DMC Midwest shop and crew. The difference here in the Midwest has been huge!