I had an early '81 DeLorean. My S/N was 750 and I think they started the customer VIN's at 500. You had to open the trunk to access the gas filler up front. In the later models they had a little filler door in the hood.
It did draw a crowd just like the M3W's do, but as all have said it was NOT a great car. 14" tires/wheels up front and 15" tires/wheels on the rear. It had numerous issues and I think my car was not "fixed" before I bought it at 32k miles for $12.5k. This was in '88 when I bought it. I drove it for a couple years and sold it for $12k and felt lucky to get that much. Mine was really just a daily drive that I had bought that would not rust. It was NO collector car at the time I bought it.
The clutch fluid would boil and when in major traffic the clutch would not disengage properly. Traffic was then a bear. Add to that VERY poor visibility, it was not fun to drive.
But I can say that I "had" one...
Spot on Dan, the VIN's did start at 500 so you had one of the early cars that had to be rebuilt in the US.
Mine, Vin 2065, has the "Gas Flap & Grooved Hood" which is much more functional.
The bigger, wider wheels in the back were an attempt to improve the handling when Colin Chapmam did not get his way for a mid engine design - a compromise.
The plastic clutch fluid line (what were they thinking?) was another comprise and the source of your gear change problems.
It was upgraded to a braided steel line later.
The "D" is no rocket ship and I can't imagine it as a daily city driver with no power steering and poor vision as you rightly point out.
As a Sunday car for me, cursing up and down on the costal highway she is fantastic but each to his own.
At least you can say you owned one.....
