For Sale: 1981 DeLorean DMC-12

A true #1 Grade vehicle, this time capsule DeLorean is an approximately 1,400 mile example with the 5-spd manual gearbox. It is a 2-owner California native since new and has remained with it's second owner for 34 years. Produced in November of 1981, it is a late production '81 model that based on documentation was sold new at Tate Cadillac of Pomona, CA  in November of 1982 to a Meredith Craig of Newport Beach, CA. It remained with the original owner until January of 1990, when the current owner purchased the vehicle with 82 miles. The vehicle was immediately sent to Nick Hurtado at DeLorean Motor Club of America in Huntington Beach, CA for a full service, fluid flush, to address miscellaneous repairs, install a battery kill switch, and to lower the vehicle's ride height. 

The vehicle has remained in the care of the current owners since, spending most of it's following years in San Francisco until 2009 when it was, serviced with fluids, drivebelts, tires, door and engine prop shocks, among other items and relocated to the family estate in Napa County. Storage of the vehicle over the current ownership was at first in a San Francisco basement garage (which are well known to stay a perfect 70 degrees 365 days a year), then later in a climate controlled barn parked in a fully enveloped cocoon style cover (photos can be seen in the gallery). 

Overall, the vehicle shows impeccably and as a 1k mile vehicle should. The exterior surfaces retain the factory millwork and imprints on the body surfaces, and are mostly free of imperfections, scratches, etc. The door jambs, engine bay, and and frunk are without sign of weather exposure, or discoloration from age or heat, and the completely original Grey leather interior is free of leather shrinkage, wear, and signs of UV exposure. The dash, door cars, headliners are all as they should be with no cracking, warpage, or sagging and the OEM carpets show little to no no wear. Although the original floormats, while still present, have some foam deterioration on their backsides.

All release latches work as they should, and the original power aerial antenna is still functional. The body lines are straight, gaps correct, and the vehicle shows zero sign of damage history, wet weather driving, or winter exposure. The tires are the correct OEM Firestone tires dated from 2009, but the OEM tires have long been discontinued and give the car it's wholly original look. They are good for display, but will need to be replaced if the buyer intends to drive the vehicle. All glass panels, windows, and windscreen show to be original and wear their original DMC Sekurit ID tags, and all exterior plastic mouldings are without sun-fade, temperature related warpage or the common fading and waves that occur on the headlamp/grill shroud. The car shows little to no sun or temperature exposure at all. 

Mechanically, this DMC-12 is solid, having recently received, in preparation for sale, a full fuel system flush, new spark plugs, fluid flush, blower motor and heater case repair, new in-tank fuel pump, front tie rod end grease boots and suspension grease, replacement door pin switches, front bonnet release cable,  replacement window switch, A/C service, and wiring repair to correct an inoperable dash light dimmer. The vehicle also has a current California Smog Certificate. The car runs and drives in perfect order with no hesitation or smoke under acceleration, the clutch engages smoothly and firmly, and the 5-spd gearbox shifts precisely with no sign of synchro issues. 

Cold start is without drama with the usual idle fluctuations, but no smoke or abnormal noises; a cold start video can be supplied. 

The photos shown in the gallery, while impeccable, are prior to detail (this is how the car came out of storage!). Once inspection and detail are complete, the updated photos will be posted to the site. The vehicle is being sold with one original DMC key, all manuals and factory literature, partial records dating back to January 1990, registration information for both owners, a white 80's vintage personalized California plate, factory parts and service manual, OEM toolkit/jack, OEM spare (never used), original accessory floormats, original rear cargo net, and original license plate shroud.

All-in-all this is an almost perfectly preserved, well documented and original DeLorean DMC-12 with only 1,400 miles. Car's of this caliber typically only come along once in a decade. This is truly an example that will surpass the most stringent of expectations or inspections.