1983 DeLorean DMC-12 - Manual

One of the few 'star' cars of the 20th century, the DeLorean DMC-12 was the brainchild of ex-General Motors executive, John DeLorean, who became one of the most controversial motor industry figures of all time. The DeLorean Motor Company story is fascinating and the subject of two feature films and dozens of documentaries. Launched in 1981, the DMC-12’s stylish coupé bodywork attracted international attention by virtue of its method of construction, a combination of fibreglass inner panels, a brushed stainless-steel outer skin and innovative gull wing doors. The underpinnings were engineered under the guidance of Lotus founder, Colin Chapman. Quality control issues, cash flow problems and John DeLorean's 1982 indictment on a $24,000,000 drugs charge, although later acquitted, led to the model’s demise in 1983. Auction tradition dictates that we mention the car’s starring role in the Back to the Future movie series, spawning generations of fans.

The detailed history file begins with the temporary registration issued by the state of New Jersey upon import on 26th August 1983 to a Mr John Ennis Jr. of Pennsylvania. A copy Bill of Sale issued by Gullwing Motors of Long Island, New York in July 2002 described it as a 'one owner car, only 7,000 miles, absolutely beautiful'. The new owners, Wayne and Debbie Windham of Jacksonville, Florida, paid $20,000 for the car and the myriad receipts from the DeLorean Motor Company of Texas for numerous parts attest to the many thousands of dollars spent to bring the car up to scratch for its sale to a UK-buyer before being registered with the DVLA on 20th October 2008, firstly to the importer and latterly to the car’s third official owner.

No serious Collection is complete without a DeLorean and this particular car set a UK record price when it was bought by our vendor at auction on 6th March 2013 with some 11,500 recorded miles at the time. Joining an extensive collection of nearly 100 cars, only the very best were stored alongside his ex-RAF English Electric Lightning jet fighter. The eclectic Collection has been trimmed down over the years and having covered only a few hundred miles since purchase, our vendor is ready to pass the car on to the next enthusiast, following exhaustive recommissioning works to his very exacting standards. Recent receipts amount to some £3,500 for parts alone and the car has been taken out on regular 'shake down' trips to ensure it is ready for the auction. The interior has been kept as original as possible and the leather seats show the patina one expects from a DMC-12.

Presented to auction with an odometer reading of 11,739 miles at the time of cataloguing, the comprehensive history file includes three thick volumes entitled ‘DMC Technical Service Manual’, ‘DMC Parts Manual’ and ‘DMC Overview Manual’, its V5C and the aforementioned receipts from both sides of the Atlantic.

Having hammered away every DeLorean consigned to our auctions over the years, this example is among the finest in terms of history, condition and fastidious attention to detail we have seen.