1981 DeLorean, 5-Speed, Black Interior, Grooved Hood, Running & Driving Project

1981 DeLorean DMC 12 Coupe 2-Door Description

This awesome DeLorean is an August build of 1981; Black Interior, Grooved Hood-No Flap, 5-Speed Manual. Odometer reading is just shy of 41K miles, and is an Arizona car from at least the early to mid 1990s. I consider this kind of a Milestone Car as a small design change to the windshield happened around this vin #2712 which is kinda cool. This information is also in the Knowledge Base section on the DMC website under the Windshields category.
I acquired this vehicle from an estate auction earlier in the year as a non-running vehicle with no keys. It was last registered in 1997 and due to this, the State of Arizona purged the car from the system. I received a notarized "Bill of Sale" when I acquired the car. I started the process right away with the state MVD and had to apply for an Arizona bonded title. This cost me about $400 dollars and took appox: 3 months as they had to investigate and research to make sure everything came back clean on the vehicle, in which it all did. I now have a clean and clear Arizona title in hand.
As a fellow DeLorean owner, enthusiast, technician and gearhead, I knew I could get the car moving under its own power again. The car came with old boxes of parts, some stuff okay, the rest not so much, due to age and sun damage. After getting the car home and doing a more thorough inspection, I saw things on the car that told me the previous owner really loved this car and cared for it. For example, the factory wheels are polished. They also had dust plates behind the wheels to keep them clean with locking lug nuts. (The wheel lock key was hidden in the car!!) He was also part of the DeLoreans Owners Association at one time. The car also came with some paperwork I think from when the previous owner bought the car back in the early 90s. I found a copy of a Hemmings Motor News page with the DeLorean for sale section. I was asking myself, why is this in here. So going through the ad, I believe that I found this car, as it was the only black interior, 5-speed with the milage thats close to what it is now. He kept the ad as a keepsake. I did this back in the day when I bought cars too!! I think after he passed, the family let the car sit. From my point of view, I think it was stored inside at first, then moved outside in the last couple years, but again, that's just my take on it.
This car does all the basics. I've been driving it around our neighborhood, but I wouldn't call it highway ready just yet. It still needs tuned and dialed in better, hence the running and driving project heading. On my first road test around the block with it, I noticed the speedometer not working. I ordered a new angle drive unit and lower cable kit and installed them. On the second road test, same thing and still not working, could be upper cable or the cluster itself, I didn't look more into it. Windshield would need to be replaced (sucks that its cracked, but I left it as is, because its original and it is the first from the design change mentioned above.) Interior needs restored (seats, door panels, headliner, etc) Air conditioning, Power windows and blower motor are currently inoperable. Steering column has play due to worn column bushing. The trunk area carpet is present but the support board that goes under it was missing. I have the inner door panel sections and headliners, just not in the pictures. Exterior has some fading to the bumpers and black trim pieces. Underneath the car is very solid, take a look at the pics!
- I had new Ignition Keys (2) cut per key code under headliner/VIN and had to update the lock cylinders to the later style locks to keep everything matching.
- I cleaned out the fuel tank by hand, and flushed the feed & return fuel lines front to rear. I installed the latest updated fuel pump assembly from DMC Houston (all parts purchased from them) along with the accumulator, fuel filter, and fuel distributor. Currantly running premium fuel with a bottle of Seafoam.
- Cooling system flushed out, New Water Pump kit with all Intake O-rings, gaskets & pieces parts that came with it. New Thermostat, Otter Stat, Rad Cap, Upper & Lower hoses, and Coolant of corse.
- Clutch Hydraulics gone through, and the reservoir was cleaned out with new supply hose. I also installed a new Clutch Master Cylinder, Clutch Slave Cylinder and stainless feed line.
- Brake system gone through: New Master Cylinder & Reservoir was cleaned, along with new brake hoses at all 4 wheels, and all 4 brake calipers rebuilt, rotors machined, system flushed.
- New Battery (Interstate from Costco)
- New Matching Toyo Tires all around, 195/60R14 front, 225/60R15 Rear (235s no longer available for matching). This is what DMC Houston advised to use, per their Knowledge Base Tire Section.
- Drive belts, idler pulley bearings also replaced
- Replaced all the fuses & relays and fan fail fused jumper
- New Fuel Cap (original was locking on a non-flap hood)
- Angle drive unit & lower cable kit
- Changed the Engine oil 20w50 and Bosh oil filter
- New Engine air filter, also removed the Stove box hot air intake piping and installed the free flow air tube (I have all the old parts too)
- All Door, Trunk and Louver struts replaced
Overall the car is fairly complete and has the potential to be great when its done. It just needs the love and attention to take it to the next level. It would be great if this car went to another like minded DeLorean enthusiast. This is someones dream car out there and it would be nice if they get it. Ultimately, I've met my goal of getting the car moving under its own power and I went a little beyond that too. I'm a straight up person, I was very honest describing the car the best I could from my point of view. Feel free to ask any questions and I'll do my best to answer them. Sorry ahead of time if I missed anything. I took many pictures, if you would like a close up of anything, let me know. I have the vehicle listed locally for sale and will end auction early if a deal is made in that time.
Free shipping anywhere inside the continental USA only, is included at my "Buy It Now" price!! For "Best Offer" or sale outside of the continental USA, buyer must fund and arrange for pick-up and/or shipping. Thanks...