1981 DeLorean DMC-12

Here is a 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 which is powered by a 2.85 litre V6 engine paired up with a 3-speed automatic transaxle. The body panels are unpainted stainless steel with a grey leather interior adorning the cabin. The car is equipped with gullwing doors, turbine-style aluminum wheels (14” in front, 15” in the rear) over four-wheel disc brakes, rear window louvers, air conditioning and a Sony AM/FM/CD head unit with AUX input jack. The car has been in the care of the owner for 15 years and is being represented by his trusted shop. Most recent work includes water pump, tune up, brake master and booster.

The DMC-12’s design came from Italdesign, employing unfinished stainless steel body panels. They are complemented by grey urethane bumper caps at front and rear. Beneath the panels is a fibreglass underbody over a frame inspired by a Lotus chassis in double-Y formation. The gullwing doors are the trademark exterior feature, while other complementing touches include the louvers covering the engine compartment, dual exhaust exits, DMC grille emblem, black protective mouldings and front spoiler. The right rear quarter panel shows imperfection. This was caused while moving the car within the seller’s shop. The seller expects the replacement quarter panel to arrive the first week of August and it will be installed at his expense before delivery to the new owner.

Aluminum wheels are staggered in both width and diameter. S-rated BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires are installed in 2016 are in place at all four corners, 215/60R14 in the front with 255/50R15 in the rear.

Inside the bucket seats are upholstered in grey leather. Amenities in the cabin include air conditioning, the aftermarket Sony stereo, power windows, power locks, power mirrors as well as a steering wheel with both tilt and telescoping function. Seller reports that the clutch and compressor engage when the air conditioner is powered up but it is not blowing cold. The driver’s seat shows signs of wear in the form of seam splitting at the outside top corner and cracking on the upper bolsters.

There is a three-spoke steering wheel fronting an 85 MPH speedometer with km/h readings to 140 and incorporated odometer and an 8000 RPM tachometer which redlines at 6500. The odometer reads under 46,000 miles. To the left are gauges for voltage and coolant temperature, to the right for fuel and oil pressure; further to the outside on each side are various warning lights. The three-speed automatic is controlled by a shifter mounted in the console.

The 2.85 litre V6 was factory rated at 130 horsepower and the product of PRV, an alliance of Peugeot, Renault and Volvo in existence from 1974 to 1998. Torque was factory rated at 160 lb.-ft. The three-speed automatic transaxle sends the power to the rear wheels. Though he has not driven the car lots of miles, owner relays that the engine has been treated to regular oil changes. Seller’s shop suggests that the car has only one borderline item for Ontario safety, the tires which will be a judgment call of the shop engaged. It also recommends that the only other work that might be needed is an alignment.

This 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 is available with owner’s manual, service manual, some service records and one key from the 15-year owner in Dunnville, On.

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