37-Years-Owned 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 Five-Speed

Description

Conceived by ex-General Motors executive John Z. DeLorean, engineered in part by Lotus, and styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the DeLorean DMC-12 had the makings of a truly exotic sports car when it first appeared as a prototype in 1976. And while its proposed mid-mounted Wankel rotary engine and full Elastic Reservoir Molding chassis hadn’t materialized when production DMC-12s began rolling off the assembly line in Northern Ireland in 1981, Giugiaro’s wedge-shaped sculpture finished in novel stainless steel looked decades into the future. Early reviews of DeLorean’s creation were positive, with Car and Driver praising the DMC-12's handling, comfortable interior, and well-behaved V6 engine, adding, “Most important, the DeLorean passes the critical enthusiast's test: it's fun to drive.” It quickly became the car to own and be seen with, with such luminaries as Sammy Davis Jr., Kenny Rogers, and Patrick Swayze all owning one. Just an estimated 8,975 DMC-12s were produced before Delorean infamously went bankrupt in a flash of controversy and legal troubles, making them exclusive collector's items today.  

Highlights 

• Held by the second and current owner for 37 years  

• Full-synchronized five-speed manual transmission 

• 2.85-liter V6 engine rated at 130 horsepower 

• Counter-balanced gull-wing doors 

• Brushed stainless steel exterior over a gray leather interior 

• 14 inch front, 15 inch rear, gray-finished turbine-style cast light alloy wheels with raised white-letter Remington XT-120 CTR tires 

• Showing just over 23,200 miles on the odometer at the time of listing 

Features 

• Quad halogen headlights 

• Semi-rigid bumpers 

• Protective side molding 

• Power windows 

• Tilting, telescoping steering column 

• Full instrumentation 

• Electronic tachometer 

• Dual electric remote side view mirrors 

• Centralized door locking 

• Fully adjustable seats 

• AM/FM stereo cassette radio with Dolby noise reduction system 

• Double weather seals 

• Variable speed wiper/washer 

• Storage space behind seats 

• Locking gas cap 

• Aftermarket battery disconnection switch 

• Tinted windows 

• Interior hood and engine compartment release 

• Engine/luggage compartment lights 

• Rack-and-pinion steering 

• Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection 

• Four-wheel disc brakes 

• Four-wheel independent suspension 

Known Imperfections 

• The accompanying CARFAX Vehicle History Report shows a mileage inconsistency on 24 October 1992, noting “This entry may just be a clerical error.” 

• Headliner on gull-wing doors is sagging 

Included 

• Original owner’s manual 

• One set of original keys, two extra keys 

• Cargo net 

Ownership History 

The consignor reports acquiring this 1981 Delorean DMC-12 from the original owner in 1986. The accompanying CARFAX Vehicle History Report places the car in Southern California since at least 1992 and shows an average of approximately 76 miles traveled per year. The consigner reports that the car has been garage-kept during his ownership, with the seats covered while in use.  

Additional Notes

Hagerty Marketplace has confirmed a clean title status, the owner maintains the title in hand and will send it to the Hagerty Marketplace team to be reassigned to the new owner after the auction is complete.