When new, your DeLorean was bought instead of a.....

[Rich]

Last weekend our D was parked at a local recreation site. We got a comment from a passerby along the lines of "I can't believe that car is over 30 years old because its design still looks so current and modern".

While it's true that Giugiaro's wedge-styling days are way behind us this comment did make me look back at some web images to recall how modern the car's styling was at the time.

Here, for viewing and comments, is a 3-page collection of images of the sports/GT cars that the DMC-12 went up against in the North American marketplace, limited mostly to 1981 models, along with the rough sticker prices of those cars. Remember that a dollar today is worth 2.5x less than it was worth in '81.

Attch: 24730

When your D was originally bought by somebody then that buyer likely chose it over one of these cars or something a lot like one of these cars. Feel free to add more pics of what might have been fun to buy in 1981-83.

Enjoy this little trip "back in time".

[Rich_NYS]

Great post.

[louielouie2000]

I'm always amazed at how modern the DeLorean is when I look at other early '80s contemporary cars. Especially their interiors... the DeLorean easily was a decade ahead of it's time in regards to it's sleek, yet understated interior.

http://deloreaninfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/interior.jpg

http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1980/1981/81int.jpeg

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT2o3gUjdZenmIva4rlspGrDHj4mKeYY VDZel7B9ifJokoyQCcU

http://sloancars.com/wp-content/uploads/inventory/394_3_interior2.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7265/8157601088_98b55b663f_z.jpg

http://www.ferraris-online.com/cars/FE-308GTBI-33075/images/P015Web.jpg

[Rich]

I'm always amazed at how modern the DeLorean is when I look at other early '80s contemporary cars. Especially their interiors... the DeLorean easily was a decade ahead of it's time in regards to it's sleek, yet understated interior.

+1

Had not even considered that equally interesting finding. Agree fully.

Good set of photos you posted to prove it, too.

[Jimmyvonviggle]

Also interesting to note how the D had held its value. Besides the Porsche, the others can be had at bargain prices.

[Rich]

Attch: 24730

When your D was originally bought by somebody then that buyer likely chose it over one of these cars or something a lot like one of these cars. Feel free to add more pics of what might have been fun to buy in 1981-83.

Enjoy this little trip "back in time".

Should have posted my favorite compare-contrast pair from among the 8 exterior images in this document:

http://www.cartype.com/pics/3368/full/delorean_brochure3_81.jpg






http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/chevy/82vette/bilder/3.jpg

[DMCMW Dave]

Who EVER thought red leather looked good?

I'd say a high portion of original owners I've asked tell me that it was cross-shopped with the Corvette.

[Jonathan]

Should have posted my favorite compare-contrast pair from among the 8 exterior images in this document:

http://www.cartype.com/pics/3368/full/delorean_brochure3_81.jpg

Not trying to derail the intent of your thread of course. This photo is part of the original ad campaign or TV commercial shoot, yes? Just noticed it has light grey wheels which would be odd considering the early cars had the dark wheels. It has a gas flap hood though and no fender antenna (presumably windshield based). Did the advertising not get done right off the bat in early 1981?

[vwdmc16]

Who EVER thought red leather looked good? .



Mercedes Benz in the '50s and '60s. You cant say a nice silver 300 or 190sl with red interior looks bad.


http://www.classicargarage.nl/common/pictures/altena/2010/1010/supersize/mercedes_benz_190sl_interior.JPG
http://www.expatads.com/adpics/mercedes-190-sl-1956-for-sale--501c3c412c9be5c5baf4.jpg

[DMCMW Dave]

Mercedes Benz in the '50s and '60s. You cant say a nice silver 300 or 190sl with red interior looks bad.

]

Sure I can. Don't like them either.

[Fan of black interiors except on DeLoreans for some strange reason]

[Rich]

Not trying to derail the intent of your thread of course. This photo is part of the original ad campaign or TV commercial shoot, yes? Just noticed it has light grey wheels which would be odd considering the early cars had the dark wheels. It has a gas flap hood though and no fender antenna......

The photo in question was used from the start, so, yes, it was part of the initial campaign.

It was the intro photo in the full DMC-12 brochure as well as being one of the shots in the small tri-fold handout.

[Michael Babb]

Has not been updated in ages, but: http://babbtechnology.com/time/index.htm shows some other thing that were about the same time frame as the DeLorean.


Michael

[Rich]

Has not been updated in ages, but: http://babbtechnology.com/time/index.htm shows some other thing that were about the same time frame as the DeLorean.

That's a good list and the car photos certainly look nice and old-style (except, of course, the DMC-12 prototype).

Coincidentally the entire list is right in line with the Radio Shack TV ad, "The '80's Are Calling", that ran during the Super Bowl last night. VCR player and all. Which is well-noted in a different thread.

[Rich W]

Who EVER thought red leather looked good?

While I tend to agree with Dave S. about red interiors, it did not look too bad in the BMW Z3 back in the mid to late 1990's.

Attaching a photo of one of the test cars that I drove for Motorola Automotive while testing the BMW version of OnStar.

25057

Out of all the jobs I have had, testing automotive electronics while driving cool cars for Motorola Automotive is near the top of my list.

[Rich W]

When your D was originally bought by somebody then that buyer likely chose it over one of these cars or something a lot like one of these cars. Feel free to add more pics of what might have been fun to buy in 1981-83.

Attaching a photo of my 1980 Mustang Turbo Cobra that I traded in for my first DeLorean. It was basically the 79 Turbo Pace car, but in Yellow.
I actually learned to drive a 5-speed proficiently on this car...after I had initially learned on my brother's 1976 Mustang V6 hatchback, years earlier.

25058

I worked in the IT Department for Schwinn Bicycle Company Corporate Offices in Chicago back in the early 1980's (with year-round indoor parking),
and I enjoyed keeping the little Turbo Cobra nice and clean, all Winter, with access to "indoor car washing" while I was working the 2nd or 3rd shifts.

Peaking in the background was my brother's 1982 Mercury Capri, which happened to have some similar lines to the DeLorean design.