Highlights
- Only 5,695 miles from new
- Highly original car including the factory-fitted Goodyear tyres and Stainless Care Kit
- Desirable five-speed manual car with grey leather cabin
- Documented history from new with service receipts
- Three registered keepers before arriving in Denmark in 2018
- Collector-quality car with peerless originality
The Appeal
Whether you’re here for the movie links, the time travelling, the gullwing doors, the stainless steel or even the alleged drug smuggling, settle in because we have a treat for you. This impressive DMC-12 is one of the most original low-mileage cars we’ve seen. It is likely among the best in the world.
Built in 1981, registered in March 1982 and with just two USA keepers until its arrival in Denmark in 2018, this DeLorean has covered a mere 5,696 miles in its 43 years. Alongside the paltry use, it is highly original. The grained stainless steel points to careful maintenance, while the Goodyear NCTs are still the factory-fitted items. Aficionados will also spot the rare factory dust caps and Stainless Steel Care Kit in the photos. There is even an ‘OUTATIME’ California registration plate.
Enthusiasts will know that DeLoreans suffered ‘a few’ teething troubles when new. Key to this car’s appeal is that it has completed the all-important recalls, including the ‘Winter Weather’ one applied to colder USA states. You can check this by spotting the plaque shown in the photos.
The appeal continues with this car’s specification. It features a desirable five-speed manual transmission and a grey leather cabin, two features generally sought after by enthusiasts.
This car is a collector-quality example. Of course, you could ready it for the road, but perhaps that would compromise the originality of this arguably one-off opportunity. A truly great example of the amazing Dunmurry DeLorean.
History and Paperwork
- Manufactured in December 1981 in Dunmurry
- Sold to its first keeper on March 11, 1982
- Purchased for $23,261 through a U.S. dealership in Irvine, Texas
- Sold in 2017 to the second keeper of Genoa, Nevada
- Imported to Denmark in 2018 but remains unregistered in Denmark
- Comes with Nevada registration certificate
- Extensive history, including service receipts from its time in the United States
- Has had factory recalls completed, including the "winter weather recall"
- Chassis number: SECDT26T2CD010974
- Factory handbooks
- ‘OUTATIME’ California plate included
The Condition
- Stainless steel body presents in very good order with the correct grain still visible
- Grey leather interior appears in smart condition for its age
- Original factory Goodyear NCT tyres still fitted
- Original tyre dust caps present
- Engine bay retains factory stickers showing appropriate age-related yellowing
- Original plastic coolant bottle still in place
- Original "Stainless Steel Care Kit" included
- Retains its DeLorean sound system and carpet mats
The photographs of this car will be a treat for deep-dive enthusiasts of John D’s stainless steel silver dream machine. We’ve listed some of the original features above, including the dust caps, tyres, mats and stereo that are often replaced through use or upgrades by subsequent keepers. Not so here - even the yellowing under-bonnet stickers are original, as is the plastic coolant bottle with its notoriously recalcitrant hose.
Of course, originality is one thing, care is quite another. Often, low-mileage cars have been overlooked or poorly stored. This car appears to have avoided that fate. A key giveaway is the grain on the stainless steel bodywork. Often this is worn away by repeated washing and a poor cleaning regime. Not so here - the original factory finish is obvious from whichever angle you are inspecting this car from.
Inside, you will find the desirable grey leather cabin. It looks barely used, but then of course it hasn’t been. The switchgear, often prone to scratches, cracking or damage, is in fine shape and looks almost showroom-fresh. Trim rubbers, carpets and glasswork are of the same preserved condition.
The Mechanics
- 2.8L ‘Douvrin’ V6 engine
- Five-speed manual transmission
- Factory-rated output of 130 horsepower
- Original coolant bottle still in place
- Winter Weather Recall completed as shown by the black metal plate
This car’s odometer shows 5,696 miles from new. We are told that this is genuine and backed by the history file. While it is difficult to verify, the car’s condition and originality strongly suggest it is. After all, it would take a brave driver to use those 43-year-old factory-fitted Goodyear NCTs, even though they retain plenty of tread.
If you do decide to drive this car, then you’ll appreciate its manual gearbox. Many DMC-12s were fitted with the sludgy auto box, but the manual shifter enables drivers to enjoy all the Lotus fettling. These are surprisingly nimble cars with decent handling.
The sense of originality continues under the bonnet. The eagle-eyed will spot the factory stickers and the original coolant bottle - these are often replaced due to damage. The car also bears a ‘Winter Weather Recall’ plaque, which was a post-factory update applied to cars driven in colder US states.
This car could be used on the open road, but due to its very sparing use and those elderly original tyres, we would recommend undertaking some checks first.
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