1981 DeLorean DMC-12 1981 DeLorean DMC-12

Fuel Injected 2.85 L V6 - 5 Speed Manual - P.D.B. - P.S. - A/C - Gullwing Doors

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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