It is sometimes challenging to separate a legendary car from an iconic one. The difference can be subtle, but few will argue that classics like the Pontiac GTO and Chevrolet Corvette are genuine legends. They provide stunning styling with incredible performance to rightly wear that badge. The 1981 DMC DeLorean fits into the iconic category. It doesn’t thrust its occupants back in the seat when the driver floors the gas, but its styling and stainless steel exterior are instantly recognizable, and its star turn in a certain movie franchise brought it clearly into public consciousness when it could have faded into obscurity. Our feature car is a perfect example of the breed that presents superbly following a recent refurbishment. Its owner is the Service Manager at DeLorean Motor Company of California, meaning every task was performed by a genuine expert. It has 52,400 original miles showing on its odometer, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder numskal for spotting it. The only thing this dry-climate survivor needs is a new home.

If I had just a penny for every word written about the DeLorean, it is a safe bet that I could have at least one of these classics parked in my garage. It is a tale of sky-high optimism and shocking mismanagement that doomed this car before the first one left the line. John DeLorean was a charismatic individual who almost single-handedly cemented Pontiac’s reputation as the performance arm of the General Motors empire. However, he felt stifled by restrictions imposed by corporate management, so he quit the company to pursue the dream of producing a car bearing his name. He commenced the project utilizing a design penned by legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. The vehicle bore some similarities to the Lotus Esprit, but its unique stainless steel panels ensured it stood out from the crowd. This DeLorean is a Californian survivor, and one glimpse at its underside reveals that with the frame’s original epoxy coating intact, it is rust-free and rock-solid. The seller recently spent a considerable sum on its refurbishment, leaving its stainless in pristine condition. The car features new seals and door handles, and the distinctive alloy wheels are perfect. Its odometer reading of 52,400 miles isn’t the lowest we’ve seen at Barn Finds, but its condition and presentation are among the best we have seen on the site.

DeLorean marketed its only model as a luxurious sports car, and buyers received plenty of creature comforts. Standard equipment included air conditioning, power windows, power mirrors, a rear defogger, and a leather-wrapped tilt-telescopic wheel. A radio/cassette player was standard, but this car’s factory unit has made way for a high-end Alpine CD player. The interior condition is all you might expect from a vehicle that has been treated respectfully. The new Black leather upholstered surfaces show nothing beyond slight stretching, and the carpet is spotless. There are no signs of cracked or damaged plastic and no evidence of UV deterioration. The seller’s spending spree continued inside this classic as they treated it to new window regulators, door actuators, LED lighting, floor mats, and a new shifter handle. The interior presents superbly and needs nothing. However, the shifter might represent this classic’s low point.

John DeLorean’s dream for the car he created was for it to leave the factory powered by a mid-mounted Wankel rotary powerplant. This compact motor would have been ideal in that configuration, but many question whether its lack of low-end torque would have been appropriate for a car of this type. When he could not secure a supply of the rotary or the Ford V6, he turned to the Peugeot/Renault/Volvo 2.8-liter V6. He still envisaged a mid-engined approach, but design consultant Colin Chapman knew this was impossible given time and budget constraints. Therefore, he transformed the DMC into a rear-engined classic. The engine produced 130hp and 153 ft/lbs of torque, and with the DeLorean tipping the scales at 2,718 lbs, acceleration wasn’t fast. However, the car’s inherently slippery profile meant it could nudge 130mph given enough space. A five-speed manual transaxle was standard equipment, although this car’s first owner selected the optional three-speed automatic transmission. That provides a more relaxed driving experience, but acceleration suffers. The manual version would cover the ¼-mile in 17.1 seconds, but this car will take 18.2 seconds to complete the same journey. I will qualify this by saying that the DeLorean was not renowned for being a hard-edged, high-performance supercar but was considered more of a comfortable two-seat Grand Tourer. If viewed in that light, there is nothing inherently wrong with this car. It is in excellent mechanical health, with the seller treating many of its mechanical components to a refresh. The engine is freshly resealed, while the suspension, brakes, transmission, and other components received similar attention. This survivor runs and drives perfectly and is a turnkey proposition for its new owner.

This 1981 DMC DeLorean probably isn’t perfect, but the seller’s recent investment in every aspect makes it tempting. It presents beautifully, and its mechanical health appears beyond question. It needs nothing, and the seller’s price of $85,000 is consistent with market expectations for a car of this caliber. It has spent its life in Huntington Beach, California, with the dry climate preserving its structural steel. The seller has listed the DeLorean here on Craigslist, and I will hardly blame you if you pursue it further. Are you tempted?