Vehicle Description
This 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 is a smooth running, well-preserved and
well-maintained stainless steel gullwing coupe! John DeLorean's
first major contribution to the automotive world was the Pontiac
GTO, widely considered to be America's first muscle car. Riding on
the success of the GTO, DeLorean rose through the corporate ranks
at General Motors achieving the position of VP of Domestic Car and
Truck group by the early 1970s, despite his reputation as a
renegade in the buttoned-up corporate world. Shortly thereafter,
DeLorean left the Big Three automaker to found his own company, the
John Z. DeLorean Corporation and its subsidiary DeLorean Motor
Company (DMC). At the outset, the DeLorean Motor Company's goal was
to "build a car with a useful life of more than just a few years."
A few short years later, in July of 1975, DMC had its first
non-running prototype and a little over a year later, in October of
1976, a running prototype. However, that apparent momentum would
begin to come grinding to halt when DMC faced production issues
that would end up dooming the startup company from its impressive
start. The first production issue DeLorean faced was finding a
location for his namesake company to produce its vehicle.
Ultimately, the maverick DeLorean struck a deal in 1978 with the
British Government to begin production at a Northern Ireland
production plant. The idea was the DMC production facility would
generate jobs and economic growth for impoverished Belfast
residents and, in exchange, DeLorean's company would receive
substantial tax breaks and British Government loans worth millions
of dollars. The other major challenge faced by DMC in the late 70s
was sourcing an engine and running gear for the eventual DMC-12.
DeLorean's namesake company would end up sourcing a 2.85 Liter V6
from Peugeot-Renault-Volvo that critics would subsequently lament
as being underpowered, especially for a namesake vehicle designed
and built by the muscle car luminary. While DeLorean had promised
that the first DMC vehicles would be delivered in 1979, the first
DMC-12s were sold in 1981. Despite their futuristic looks, the
DMC-12 was a critical and commercial flop after a mere 2 years of
production and eventually led to a spectacular downfall for John
DeLorean. DeLorean's companies would ultimately be placed into
receivership by the British Government and John DeLorean would end
up being charged for criminal fraud and drug trafficking. While the
charges were eventually dropped, John DeLorean was never able to
repeat his success at GM but his namesake car, with its futuristic
design, would become an icon thanks to the release (and popularity)
of the Back to the Future movie franchise that debuted in 1985.
DeLorean's DMC-12 would play a starring role alongside Michael J.
Fox and Christopher Lloyd, as the duo's eye-catching time-machine
that was activated when the car famously reached 88 miles-per-hour.
This particular example comes to us from an astute east coast
collector who purchased the car from a California collector.
Powering this '81 DeLorean is a rear-mounted 2.85 Liter V6 engine
fed by a Bosch K-Jetronic Mechanical Fuel Injection system that
together were said to have created 130 horsepower when new. The
2.85L V6 is mated to a 5 speed manual transmission that gives this
rad DeLorean a performance car feel. Exhaust exits the FI 2.85L via
an exhaust system that generates a nice smooth sound out the rear.
Being that this DMC-12 is a later model classic, it comes loaded
with numerous creature comforts! With power disc brakes in all four
corners, bringing this DeLorean to complete stop feels almost
effortless. Power steering is another wonderful feature of this '81
DMC-12 since it makes turning into a tight parking space much
easier. Outfitted with air conditioning, you'll be able to stay
cool while cruising even on the hottest summer days. Riding on a
set of 4-lug cast light-alloy finned wheels with 195/60R14 radial
tires up front and 235/60R15 in the rear, this '81 DeLorean has a
great stock look and even better ride. The stainless steel exterior
was refinished by the DeLorean Motor Company in California and has
a fantastic look. The interior of this DMC-12 coupe is absolutely
stunning! The power adjustable bucket seats have been correctly
reupholstered in Gray leather. The padded dash, gray carpeting, and
door panels on the back of the gullwing doors are all in fantastic
condition and retain a nice stock appearance. The steering wheel
also appears to be in great shape and is mounted to a tilting and
telescoping column to improve the driver's comfort behind the wheel
of this classic '80s collectible. Both side windows are powered as
well and go up and down with the simple flick of a switch.
Instrumentation includes a 85MPH speedometer, 8,000 RPM tachometer,
temperature gauge, volt gauge, oil pressure gauge, and fuel gauge,
along with several indicator lights. The interior also sports
several tasteful updates including a Pioneer AM/FM/CD/Bluetooth
entertainment system and a backup camera screen is incorporated
into the rearview mirror. Whether you're buying your very first
classic car or you're a Back to the Future fan looking for the
ultimate collector's item, this 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 would make an
excellent addition. Give Ellingson's a call today at
763-428-7337!
*Rear-Mounted 2.85 Liter V6
*Bosch K-Jetronic Fuel Injection
*5 Speed Manual Transmission
*Gullwing Doors
*4 Wheel Power Disc Brakes
*Power Steering
*Air Conditioning
*Stainless Steel Exterior
*Gray Leather Bucket Seats
*Power Windows
*Stock Instrumentation
*Odometer Reads: 39,099 Miles
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price.
For more information and a current list of vehicles, call
763-428-7337.