Vehicle Description
This 1981 Delorean DMC-12 is a well-maintained, low-mileage example
of the car made famous by the Back to the Future movies! John
DeLorean's most famous contribution to automobile history is likely
going to depend on who you ask, whether that person is an old-timer
or young whippersnapper. Most old-time motorheads would likely
attribute the first muscle car, the GTO, to John DeLorean and his
team of engineers at the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors.
Younger folk are more likely to think of Delorean with respect to
his namesake company, Delorean Motor Co., and its only model, the
DMC-12. Young folks know the DeLorean DMC-12 from its starring role
in the Back to the Future movie franchise as the futuristic
time-machine activated when the car reached 88 miles-per-hour.
However, what many young people are unaware of was the nearly
unbelievable story behind the DeLorean Motor Company and the
lackluster performance of the DMC-12, both with regards to its
performance on the track and its sales. By the early 70s, John
DeLorean had worked his way up the GM corporate ladder to VP of
Domestic Car and Truck group but, always a renegade and maverick,
he left GM and started his own company, the John Z. DeLorean
Corporation and its subsidiary DeLorean Motor Company (DMC), with
the stated goal to "build a car with a useful life of more than
just a few years." DMC had a non-running prototype in July of 1975
and a running prototype by October 1976; however, production issues
seemed to doom the company from the start. First, DeLorean
struggled to locate an adequate production facility before
ultimately finding a facility in Northern Ireland in 1978 due to a
deal Mr. DeLorean made with the British Government. In exchange for
building his cars in the Irish factory (which was hoped to generate
jobs and economic growth for impoverished Belfast residents), the
British Government gave DMC substantial tax breaks and loaned the
company millions of dollars. The next challenge that plagued
DeLorean was their inability to source an adequate engine and
running gear, eventually settling on a famously underpowered 2.85
Liter V6 sourced from Peugeot-Renault-Volvo. Although Mr. DeLorean
was an accomplished and established figure in the automotive world
that had substantial financial backing, he struggled to get his
namesake car into production with the false promise that he'd
deliver cars in 1979. Ultimately, the first Deloreans were sold in
1981 but with their underpowered drivetrains and idiosyncratic
features the cars were deemed a flop after merely 2 years of
production. DeLorean's downfall was spectacular, culminating in the
British government placing the company into receivership and Mr.
DeLorean facing criminal charges for fraud and drug trafficking.
While the charges against DeLorean were eventually dropped, he was
never able to repeat his success at GM but his namesake car, with
its futuristic design, would become an icon. This particular DMC-12
comes to us from a collector who was an excellent steward of the
car. Powering this Delorean is a rear-mounted 2.85 Liter dual
overhead cam V6 engine fed by a Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel
injection system that was said to have produced 130 horsepower when
new. Exhaust exits the DOHC V6 via a dual exhaust setup that
produces a nice throaty sound out the rear tailpipes. The 2.85L V6
is mated to a 5 speed manual transmission that makes this DMC-12 an
absolute blast to drive. This Delorean DMC-12 comes loaded with
creature comforts! Whether you're at the local drive-in or car
show, power steering makes squeezing into tight parking spaces a
total breeze. 4-wheel Power Disc brakes are another desirable item
on this Delorean since it improves stopping power and reliability.
Also coming on this 1981 Delorean is air conditioning so that you
can stay cool while cruising even on the hottest summer days.
Riding on a set of raised letter radial tires mounted on 4-lug cast
light-alloy finned wheels, this Delorean maintains a nice stock
look and fantastic ride. The softly-brushed stainless steel
exterior is in wonderful condition as are the rear-mounted louvers,
exterior trim, and painted bumpers. With two gull-wing doors are in
wonderful condition and complete the exterior look of the car. The
interior on this Delorean looks great! The gray leather bucket
seats and center console are in fantastic condition. The padded
dash, door panels, carpeting and steering wheel are in terrific
shape as well and all appear to be in their stock configuration.
The cockpit on this Delorean DMC-12 is also loaded with great
options! A tilting and telescoping steering column makes getting in
and out of the driver's seat much easier and improves the driver's
comfort while in the car. Dual outside adjustable mirrors and power
windows are also a welcome addition to this 80s classic. You'll be
able to listen to all of your tunes while cruising in this Delorean
DMC12 since it comes with an AM/FM/Cassette entertainment system.
The instrument cluster is equipped with a 85MPH speedometer, 8,000
RPM tachometer, temperature gauge, volt gauge, oil pressure gauge,
and fuel gauge, along with several indicator lights. Whether you're
buying your first classic car or you're adding to your existing
collection, this 1981 Delorean DMC-12 would make an excellent
choice. Give Ellingson's a call 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: 12,041 Miles
