Vehicle Description
There's not much left to say about the DeLorean: a fascinating
story of triumph and tragedy or a distinctive pop-culture icon? Can
it be both? I'd argue yes, and this ultra-clean early DMC-12 shows
just 5840 original miles (not a misprint) and comes with a very
desirable 5-speed gearbox, so there's a good possibility that it is
more than just a footnote in history.
The look is as stunning today as it was in 1981, and there aren't
many cars more recognizable. For that you can probably thank the
"Back to the Future" movies, but that's not the only reason why
these cars are special. Instead, let's focus on the sleek stainless
steel body, which was a great idea that eliminated the possibility
of corrosion and made the cars look as expensive as they were. The
downside of stainless is that it's impossible to straighten,
especially when it's naked, so you can see at a glance that this
DMC-12 has never been hit or wrecked and the panels are as crisp as
the day they popped out of the press. With low mileage, it has
always been a hobby vehicle, never a daily driver (they never
were), and as a result has enjoyed the past three decades in
comfortable climate-controlled environments that were ideal for
preserving its condition. The gullwing doors fit well, the front
and rear body caps aren't faded or cracked, and even the rubber
bumpers and chin spoiler appear to be unaffected by the passage of
time. There are lower-mileage cars, but not many that are this
well-preserved.
The interior is just as futuristic and dramatic as the bodywork,
and would you really expect otherwise? Handsome gray leather
buckets look like they belong on a movie set, but are actually
quite comfortable and easy to climb into, even with the tall sills.
They show a little wear commensurate with age and mileage, and the
softer, high-quality glove leather used in the DeLorean was more
susceptible to use than the heavily processed stuff we're used to.
Instrumentation is quite complete with large analog gauges in a
very '80s pod atop the dash, and the center stack houses the
AM/FM/cassette stereo and A/C controls in a logical fashion. Almost
everything was standard in these cars, including power windows and
locks, a tilt/telescope wheel, and a rear defroster. The critical
feature, however, is the clutch pedal and 5-speed shifter, which
transforms the DeLorean from ho-hum to a truly fun driver's
car.
Open the rear hatch and you'll find the Renault-designed OHC V6
powerplant, which many will agree has gotten a bad rap over the
years, again thanks to "Back to the Future." It's not fast, but the
car does have a competent feel and running it through the gears
makes it an entertaining drive. This one has extensive service
records that show thousands of dollars in new parts and labor to
make sure it runs and drives like it should, a very uncommon
feature among low-mileage DMC-12s. It's very nicely detailed with
all the correct decals and fittings under the hood and you'll note
that the A/C has been upgraded to R134a refrigerant, so this is
definitely not intended to be garage art. The list of new stuff
includes a front end rebuild with lowering springs, new brake
system, clutch master cylinder, starter, and a new fuel pump
module. It's extremely clean underneath, befitting its low-mileage
status, and even the original aluminum wheels look fresh and crisp
with 195/60/14 front and 235/60/15 rear tires, one of the first
production cars to offer staggered sizes.
Owned for many years by MLB pitcher Phil Niekro, this DeLorean is
heavily documented with title documentation, invoices, receipts,
and manuals, making it the rare DeLorean that's not only
well-preserved, but also well-maintained. Call today!