DeLorean DMC-12 – 1981

DeLorean DMC-12 built in May 1981 with manual transmission. Perhaps the most legendary car ever made with an illustrious story.

– Early example with separate petrol cover in boot lid
– One of the first imported cars in the Netherlands
– From 2nd owner who has owned the car for over 33 years

The following is present with the car:
– Extensive documentation from 1st owner
– Original DMC car folder with various warranty certificates and maintenance instructions
– Owners and parts manual
– Original, complete and unused tool kit, licence plate holders and spare wheel
– Extra set of keys and 2 spare keys of fuel tank
– Original newspaper articles from the 1980s
– Valuation report (May 2022) worth €70,000

Largely restored/refurbished from 2019 which includes the following work:
– Original rims (14″ and 15″) reconditioned and in excellent condition
– Engine disassembled and reconditioned
– Front and rear calipers reconditioned, new brake cylinders with new pads fitted
– Radiator replaced with a new aluminium one with better capacity
– Steering box dismantled and overhauled
– Bolts on rear suspension replaced (for safety reasons)
– New water pump set and installed
– All cooling system pipes and rubbers replaced
– Stainless steel bodywork polished by specialist
– Paint of front and rear bumpers repainted (in original high-gloss grey)
– Interior in very good condition (leather seats reupholstered, mats and headlining renewed)
– Four new tyres fitted and wheels balanced

A DeLorean DMC-12 developed by John DeLorean is the ultimate style icon of the 1980s about which books have been written. The marque produced cars from January 1981 to mid-1983. The one we are offering was built in May 1981, making it an early example that began its life in sunny Florida (USA). Since 1990, the car has been in the possession of its 2nd owner who has cared for the car with much love and passion and recently carried out a major restoration/rebuild. This love and passion for this unique model can be seen not only in the condition of the car, but also in the accompanying documentation. This includes photos of this car in the US, original newspaper articles from the time the car came on the market, import papers and many original documents still present. The DMC (short for DeLorean Motor Company) is still a timeless, striking model in which a unique driving experience is experienced. The history of the car adds to the driving experience. Parts are readily available and DeLoreans are often bought by investors and collectors these days. This example in particular, with a well-documented history, few owners and recently completed restoration work, is an excellent choice for the future (Back to the Future)!

General information about the DeLorean DMC-12:
DeLorean is world famous thanks to the 1985 film ‘Back to the Future’ in which the car acts as a time machine. But many books and series have also been realised about the brand’s flamboyant owner ‘John DeLorean’ and the creation of the DMC-12. John DeLorean was a successful engineer and businessman who had built his career up to vice-president of the then world’s largest car company General Motors. Partly because of his dream of developing his own car, he left the company in 1973. His desire was to build a highly special, affordable sports car that was ahead of its time and would last a long time. What followed was worldwide news. The design came from the hand of Italy’s Giugiaro and technically responsible was Colin Chaplin (founder of British car brand Lotus, which was very successful in racing at the time). The futuristic design is wide and low and the bodywork is made of stainless steel. What else stands out are the wing doors and the engine placed in the centre. This aluminium 2.8-litre 6-cylinder engine comes from Renault/Peugeot/Volvo.

Of the DMC-12, aimed at the US market, 30,000 units per year were to be built with a new-build price of $12,000 (this is what the 12 from DMC-12 refers to). After an arduous search for a place to produce the car, Northern Ireland was finally designated with the help of the British government. A place where unemployment was high at the time and there was a war between Protestants and Catholics. This gave the production of the DMC-12 an extra political dimension. Due to a change in the exchange rate of the British pound, the final new-build price was about double what was indicated beforehand. Despite about half a billion invested in taxpayers’ money from the British government, the lack of money remained a problem, eventually resulting in the brand’s bankruptcy after producing about 9,00