Unique 1981 CUSTOM Delorean DMC12 5spd **LOTS of UPGRADES & Engine mods** :-)

  • Price: Ask a price!
  • Location: Van Nuys, California, United States
  • Make: DeLorean
  • Model: DMC12
  • Type: Coupe
  • Trim: 2 door coup
  • Year: 1981
  • Mileage: 60,500
  • VIN: scedt26t9bd003003
  • Color: White
  • Engine size: 2.9 V6
  • Number of cylinders: 6
  • Power options: Air Conditioning, Power Locks, Power Windows
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Drive type: RWD
  • Interior color: Gray
  • Options: CD Player, Leather Seats
  • Vehicle Title: Clear

1981 DeLorean DMC12 Description

Up for grabs is my 1981 DMC 12 Delorean sports car with 60k miles on it that I’ve owned since Feb 2013. This is one of the earlier ones but late enough for them to work the bugs out w/ production number 3003. **Rare optioned car with gas flap hood, rear antenna, and straps wrapped around the door pull with oem Delorean leather**.

I know at this point there a lot of people out there condemning me for painting it and in my defense this beauty was already painted when I bought it. However this is my second one that I’ve owned and I’ve actually had way more fun with this than my stainless steel one. One big advantage when it’s painted is nobody feels the need to touch it. J My stainless one always had so many fingerprints on it even after just leaving it for only a few minutes. Plus I hang out with a lot of other friends who have Deloreans and everyone always remembers the painted one. Haha

So back to the details I purchased this one, with the help of Delorean Garden Grove here in Orange County, CA from a retired Sheriff living in Victorville, CA who had purchased it for his wife and wanted to make as fun as possible. Most of the exterior, interior, engine, and paint was undertaken approximately 8 years ago when the restoration was originally completed.

Lets start with the exterior- I couldn’t quite put my finger on it until one of the Delorean techs pointed it out, why I liked this painted one more than others, and it’s because the front and rear side marker lights have been shaved and set flush to look more accommodating with the moldings removed. That being said there are a few small pressure cracks and chips fromregular usage.

Now for the interior- All dashboard, glove box, headliner, knee pad (passenger side), visors re-done with new material, seats re-done with NOS (New Old Stock) original Delorean seat covers, and new binnacle. Custom, and no longer produced, billet aluminum gated shift pattern w/ knob both embossed DMC. All gauges work, yes all of them haha and speedometer has been upgraded to top speed 160mph instead of 1980’s 85mph. Completely new and updated stereo system with JVC cd/mp3/av head unit, custom built kick panels for mids/highs under the dash and 2 6x9’s behind the rear shelf as well as a 8” subwoofer behind the drivers seat in the storage box. All new carpeting throughout with DMC stitched floor mats and new headliner with no sag on T-bar or doors. Oh and door marker lights are all original and all work. I kept the original bulbs and lenses, I just like the star pattern it emits rather than the tiny light the led’s have.J The trunk has the spare tire and rim along with carpeted lining on the bed of the trunk and under the X brace with working light.

ALL power options work! Power mirrors, power windows, power locks, with keyless entry, alarm, and remote opening doors where you can open the doors with the remote (wings aloft). Oh and dod’s have. J Best of all AC system has been gone through as of last summer and is ICE COLD with all fan speeds working and no water leaks on the passenger side floor. haha

Finally the engine- The original PRV V6 block and head are still here but have been heavily modified. The head has been extrude honed (similar to port and polish) and has a cam, custom exhaust, and header (both heat wrapped but one side has a few cracks and leaks), and custom intake snorkeled to exterior passenger vent behind rear quarter glass.

Now for some of the fresh and new goodies: J New Interstate batter with 1 year warranty, 2 new reinforced lower control arms with bushings, new steering rack, new 14amp alternator w/ belt, new accumulator, new engine harness, new fuse box, new modules, and I’m sure a few other little things I may have forgotten. Any and all service and most maintenance, with the exception of a few oil changes, were done by Delorean Motor Company Huntington Beach.

Now a few things that need attention: Sadly it does leak a lil oil as it does need a rear main seal. This problem was present when I purchased it and I decided it would be cheaper to keep an eye on the oil level and refill as needed then to have to drop the tranny. As mentioned earlier there is an exhaust leak and since I love the sound of it I left it alone. If you are fairly skilled at welding you could try your hand to repair it or just upgrade as Delorean does make some amazing performance exhausts. That being said if the future owner lives out of state and there is some work that he/she would like to have done before it ships I’m more than happy to facilitate through DMC Huntington Beach to have any work done, parts installed, or merchandise placed in the car before shipping.

Misc: I have the original Delorean dealer repair manuals (pics included)

A little behind the scenes: This vehicle has been a part of numerous projects for films, documentaries, music videos, and model shoots. That being said “yes” this was the car that was plastidipped hot pink. It was originally done for artist Tigarah’s music video and then made infamous by Redfoo in his video “New Thang”. A few other model shoots and misc projects but it is now back to white.

I’m sure there’s a lot more I’m forgetting but all in all this car has been amazing for me and I’ve had some great memories and met some amazing people because of it. I owe most of who I am to this car as well as mycircle of friends. :-) I welcome as many questions as you may have as I’ll do my best to get to them in a timely manner and I encourage you to make time to come personally inspect the car. I understand the miles on mine may be a bit higher than most and that’s for one simple reason, because it was running. Most low mileage cars seem to be sought with problems which left their owners more frustrated and not driving them than wanting to keep them up and soaring down the road. I don’t brand this a museum piece by any means and I have never been too afraid to let a person sit in it at a car show. I bought this because it reminds me of the happiness I felt for it when I was a kid and I love seeing the smiles it brings to others when I drive it and I’m sure you will too. J I am accepting offers as well as possible trades for other unique sports cars both new and old and can also accommodate international buyers as my last Delorean found a new home all the way from California to Sydney, Australia. Although it will likely not be the last Delorean I own it is now time for it to find a new home so with that I give my best wishes to the happy new owner. J

FINALLY - Everyone is going to ask "what's my reserve" and my answer is "I don't know how much I want for it" so i'm listing it to see what offers I get. Since I prefer to sell this privately feel free to call or text me anytime 602-400-7883.

THANKS and HAPPY BIDDING :-)