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1983 DeLorean 5-Speed Manual
Here is a 1983 DeLorean DMC-12 5-Speed Manual, with unpainted stainless steel panels over a recovered grey leather interior, accompanied by clean Carfax, original manuals and documentation. This car is powered by a rear-mounted 2.85-litre V6 engine, designed jointly by Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo (PRV), and paired with a five-speed manual transmission. Manufactured in August 1982, this DeLorean was among the final cars built before production by DeLorean ceased in December 1982 or January 1983, depending on whom you ask. Approximately 276 units were produced for the 1983 model year, some in 1983 by Consolidated International, excluding this example. This DMC-12 5-Speed is offered by the owner, with two keys (one uncut), clean Carfax, original manual set, and assorted period publications in Bolton, Ontario.
The exterior features unpainted stainless steel body panels over a fibreglass underbody and Lotus-derived double-Y steel chassis. The Giorgetto Giugiaro (of Italdesign at the time)-designed coupe is characterized by its counterbalanced gull wing doors, black urethane front and rear bumper caps, and a rear window engine cover with black louvers and a brushed metal finish that has become the car’s visual identity. Exterior badging comprises a “DeLorean” emblem on the hood, a “DMC” badge within the front grille, and a “DeLorean” script on the rear bumper. Lighting is provided by quadruple sealed-beam headlights and integrated grid pattern taillight assemblies housing the brake, turn, and reverse indicators. Minor flaws include creases in the front right fender and roof T-panel, as shown in the gallery images. Seller mentions that these could be repaired by paintless dent removal. The DeLorean became an enduring symbol of imaginative automotive design and popular culture, reinforced by its prominent appearance in the Back to the Future film series.
This DeLorean rides on aftermarket staggered multi-spoke alloy wheels finished in graphite colour, with DMC centre caps. While both front and rear wheel diameters are two inches larger than stock the total diameter with lower-profile-than-stock tires is materially unchanged. The front Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires are sized 205/45 R16 with 2024 date codes while the rears measure 235/45 R17 with 2023 date codes; all tires are W-speed rated. The seller advises that all four tires were installed in March 2025 and have travelled approximately 500 km since installation. The car has been lowered to address what the seller believes was a too-high factory front-end ride height. Included in the sale are the original turbine style aluminum 14- (front) and 15-inch wheels, each described by the seller as in near-new condition and fitted with Goodyear Eagle GT2 P195/60R14 85T tires from 2005. Braking is by power-assisted discs at all four corners, with recent servicing documented alongside the suspension refurbishment. Modifications to the chassis include adjustable coil-over shock absorbers at each corner, reinforced front lower control arms, and adjustable upper arms allowing caster and camber alignment correction not possible with the original factory setup.
The cabin is upholstered in grey with re-covered leather high back bucket seats and matching door cards, centre console, and headliner. Cabin equipment includes tilt steering column, adjustable front seats with integrated headrests, black switchgear and aircraft style rocker controls, as well as a centre console with storage compartment and ashtray which appears unused. Behind the two seats, a carpeted rear cargo shelf is fitted with an elasticized storage net to secure small items. Amenities include blowing cold air conditioning as well as heating, power operated windows, and a DMC-branded Craig AM/FM cassette stereo supplying input for speakers mounted on the doors and rear bulkheads. There are two window panes in each door as a single pane could not be retracted given door design – both power windows are demonstrated among our videos. DMC-branded protective black floor mats are in place, and the front trunk provides additional storage space lined in carpeting, and featuring a stabilizer bar. Under current ownership, the shifter boot and surround have been replaced to address cosmetic wear.
A three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel fronts the Veglia-Borletti instrument cluster. Instrumentation includes a dual-scale 240 km/h (140 MPH in less dominant font) speedometer, an 8,000 RPM tachometer with a 6,500-RPM redline, and auxiliary gauges for coolant temperature, fuel level, oil pressure, and system voltage. Warning lights for charging, oil pressure, and brake systems line the instrument binnacle. The odometer displayed 77,003 km when we left following the shooting of our Car Review video, above/opposite “CCC Vital Info”.
The rear mounted 2.85-litre Peugeot-Renault-Volvo V6 engine was factory-rated at 130 horsepower and 160 lb-ft of torque. It features Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection and electronic ignition. Recent improvements under current and previous ownership include a modified front suspension with adjustable upper control arms and coil-over shocks, a performance stainless-steel exhaust system (Delorean Industries Spec 1), and an oil service. Seller advises that major components replaced by the previous owner include the radiator and brackets, all A/C components, ball joints, tie-rod ends, bushings, wheel bearings, brake calipers, springs, steering rack, fuel pump and injectors, sensors, weather seals, support struts for the doors and hood, speakers, and seat upholstery. He states that all critical and most non-critical systems have been renewed to ensure reliability and performance consistent with factory standards.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Renault-sourced five-speed manual transaxle with an open differential. The premise of the Lotus-engineered chassis combining a rear engine, RWD layout with a double-Y steel backbone and fibreglass underbody structure was rigidity and balance. The seller notes that a comprehensive refurbishment has been performed over time, including replacement of steering, braking, and suspension systems. He suggests that the DeLorean’s ride and handling benefit from the lowered stance and adjustable coil-over setup.
This 1983 DeLorean DMC-12 5-Speed Manual, in stainless steel over grey leather includes a clean Carfax, a key, a new uncut key, owner’s manual, parts manual, service manual, workshop manual, various DeLorean related magazines, and an original factory sales brochure, offered by the owner in Bolton, Ontario.
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