R1.6 million – The price of going Back to the Future in South Africa

An interesting advertisement recently popped up on AutoTrader; one for an original 1982 DeLorean DMC-12 in mint condition for R1,590,000 standing in Thesen Island, Knysna.

Galvanized in the pages of time by the renowned Back to the Future film franchise that has garnered a cult-like following since its release in 1985, this particular example of the Delorean has been cared for and restored to showroom condition and was once part of the famous Franschhoek Motor Museum, says its listing.

The retro-futuristic sports car is extremely rare as only around 9,000 units were ever produced for the US market between the years 1981 and 1983, and by 2023, approximately 6,000 were still driving on public roads around the globe, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.

The one in Knysna is even accompanied by a collection of Back to the Future memorabilia including model cars, books, figurines, movie costumes, and more worth over R100,000 alone.

“Licenced, driving, on the road in perfect condition for a classic 1982 vehicle, this Delorean DMC-12 is not to be missed,” proudly states its seller. 

DMC-12 specs

Based on the 911 of the era, the DeLorean featured stainless steel bodywork and a fibre-glass body structure that made it one of the quirkiest and most durable sports cars of its time, and it had flashy gullwing doors – à la the Mercedes 300SL – that flipped up from the sides rather than out.

The two-seater sources its power from a 2.9-litre, V6 petrol block mounted in the rear that in its heyday generated 97kW and 207Nm, which meshes with a five-speed manual transmission. A three-speed auto was also offered back when it was new, but the South African version is a manual.

It was reported that the DMC reached the 100km/h mark in around 10 seconds when it was still fresh and top speed was pegged at just over 200km/h, so it wasn’t as quick as the vehicles it was pinned against such as the Chevy Corvette, Datsun 280-ZX, Ferrari 308GTS, and, of course, the Porsche 911.

The DeLorean was not as affordable as some of its competitors, its badge wasn’t as prestigious, and it was plagued with more issues.

But what it was, was unique, and its divisive wedge shape penned by the famous Giorgetto Giugiaro, coupled with its unpainted steel body panels, saw it chosen as the Time Machine in Michael J. Fox’s celebrated “Back to the Future” movies.

The DMC-12 will therefore go down in the annals of history as one of the most spectacular failures of the automotive world, and one of the most iconic movie stars, from the 20th century.

DeLorean DMC-12