1981 DeLorean DMC-12

The DeLorean DMC-12 was a ground-breaking, innovative sports car manufactured by John DeLorean's 'DeLorean Motor Company' for the American market from 1981-83. The car featured gull-wing doors and an unusual fibreglass chassis and underbody structure, along with a brushed stainless steel body and is probably most widely known for its appearance as a time machine in the 'Back to the Future' film trilogy. It was designed by the talented Giorgetto Giugiaro of Ital Design and built on a chassis engineered by Lotus with a 2.9-litre V6 engine sourced from Peugeot-Renault-Volvo.

This rare, five-speed manual example was manufactured in Belfast in November 1981, shipped to the United States, and registered in Ohio on the 16th November 1982. According to Carfax, the US version of HPI, it seems that the car spent all of its life in Ohio and looks to have been a one-owner car, although this remains to be confirmed. The Carfax report does confirm, however, that the car was free of accident damage at the time of export in July 2016. The car features the desirable grey leather interior, as seen in the movie car, fluted tailpipes, original radio, clock, jack and unused space saver spare wheel. It has obviously been well maintained by its DeLorean enthusiast owner and has stainless steel fuel lines and a new fuel pump fitted. The entire stainless steel body has been professionally re-brushed, no easy task, and the front and rear facias re-painted.

Respected expert, the joint author of "DeLorean Celebrating the Impossible" and the historian of the UK based DeLorean Owners Club, Chris Parnham, has this to say on the car:

"Vin 7184

Engine number 7162

Frame number 7792

The mileage indicated of just over 33,000 is entirely consistent with the car's overall excellent condition. Unusually, it shows no signs of sun damage, so must have been kept indoors for much of its life. It has the highly desirable grey interior and manual gearbox combination, all of which are in excellent original condition. Like all DeLoreans, it has air-conditioning and central locking. Being a late build car (Nov.81), it has the advantage that the production staff knew what they were doing by then! Build quality was generally very good. In my opinion a great car and smart investment for the future."

We are delighted to be able to offer such a decent example of the DeLorean, a car that continues to gain momentum in the collector's car market on both sides of the Atlantic. Offered to auction with a fresh MOT, and NOVA documentation, the newly re-brushed exterior shows the 'Belfast Silver Bullet' in the best possible light.