Car & Classic Verified Dealer

Tomini Classics

Tomini Building Junction of Umm Suqeim Road and Al Asayel Street. Dubai UAE

DeLorean DMC-12 (1981) For Sale

The 1980s was a decade stuffed to the gunwales with iconic cars in film and television. From Magnum PI’s Ferrari 308 to Michael Knight’s talking Trans-Am, every week we thrilled to the celluloid adventures of these four wheeled wonders. But none can hold a candle to the greatest ‘80s film car of them all – the DMC DeLorean.

Immortalized in Robert Zemeckis’s classic BACK TO THE FUTURE, the DeLorean is to many, the most recognisable car ever made – a stunning silhouette in stainless steel, lovingly crafted by the grand master Giorgetto Giugiaro. Across three magical films, the car thrilled and roared across screens powered by a nuclear-fueled flux capacitor to the 1950s, the 2000s and even the Old West powered by nothing less than lightning itself.

The brainchild of GM wunderkind John Zachary DeLorean, who dreamt of creating the world’s first “ethical” sportscar, the DeLorean was built in Northern Ireland between 1981 and 1982 in a unique collaboration between DeLorean, the British government and none other than Norfolk supercar specialists Lotus, who essentially engineered the DMC-12. Initially planned to have a Wankel rotary engine and be mid-engined, DeLorean insisted on the car being able to seat his 6’4” frame and still hold a set of golf clubs behind him —so the engine moved to the back. Power came from a fuel-injected 130bhp V6 PRV engine mated to either a five-speed Renault gearbox or a less-favored three-speed auto. With only 1, 233 kilos to motivate, courtesy of a lightweight fiberglass body clothed in stainless steel panels, and fully-independent suspension – the DeLorean really was an Esprit 1. 5 in all but name – the lithe angular coupe sparkled on the winding road with excellent European handling and a top speed of 109mph – competitive figures for the early ‘80s, when rivals like the Corvette weighed in at more than 400kg heavier.

Sadly, the DeLorean story was cut short by the recession of 1981 which left John DeLorean with a huge stock of unsold cars. Left desperate and out of cash, DeLorean eventually found himself the subject of an FBI sting operation that put him in prison until 1984, when he was exonerated. Without him at the helm, the company went into receivership in early 1982, the remaining cars were completed and sold through 1983 – including some extremely rare “Middle East spec” models.

Without ‘Back to the Future’, it’s very possible that the DeLorean could have been forgotten entirely, another failed dream. But the film – which used seven vehicles in total, three of which survive today – inspired a cottage industry of “time machine” replicas and replacement parts which means it is quite reasonable and even economical to run a DeLorean today with virtually every part and panel easily available.

An early ’81 example, chassis #3899 was initially delivered to Martin Kelly Automobiles in Illinois. Cherished throughout its life as a low-miles collectable, the car spent time in Illinois and Ohio before spending the early part of the 2000s in California. In 2010, it travelled across the sea to the UAE, where the current owner has treated it a complete and methodical mechanical refurbishment with the aim of building the perfect daily drivable DeLorean.

As befits an early ’81 car, it has a grooved hood but no fuel filler flap and a black interior. The car bears a rare optional black stripe and an even rarer red pinstripe down the flanks – to our knowledge, no other car in the world has this combination, which may have been applied in California.

It can certainly be considered successful in that regard – 3899 went on to score two back-to-back podium finishes at the highly competitive Chopard Rally in 2017 and 2018 against a field of much more expensive European competition. It was also the star of the American Embassy’s Fourth of July celebration in 2016 – to date the only car that has actually been allowed to drive into the exclusive St Regis Hotel. And not to mention, it has spent many happy hours being photographed by fans at the Emaar Classic show at the Dubai Downtown Boulevard.

Few cars have truly lived life and been loved the way that this DeLorean has. With just 14, 800 miles on the odometer, a life of stardom awaits its new owner – just as long he remembers to charge up his flux capacitor!

For pricing and information, please visit our website.

This advert has now been removed through sale or otherwise.
Please see the list below for similar live adverts.

Similar Adverts

The DeLorean story is far more interesting than any Hollywood block buster. Because it involves 100kgs of cocaine, a Panamanian bank account, and a furious British government left out of pocket to the tune of £23,000,000. That Colin Chapman's and Giorgetto Giugiaro's involvement is by far the least exciting part of ...

10,500
16 Mar 2024
Kent
Private

Second series "Five Speed" car, former group 1 road reported. Registered at ASI/FIVA and in the FIAT historical register. Engine Fiat 138AS, SOHC, 1498 cc, 85 HP Gearbox 5-speed Wheels originals. Bonnets with racing hook. For price, more pictures, video and more info visit our website (click on link).

124,000
18 Mar 2024
Italy
Verified Dealer (see stock)

- Nahezu unberührter Originalzustand mit erst 74.000 km - Erstauslieferung in Luxemburg, seit 1987 nur zwei Besitzer in Deutschland - Geschmackvolle Farbkombination Beschreibung: Vom Aston Martin V8 Volante wurde von 1978 bis 1989 nur 901 Exemplare gebaut. Dieser Aston Martin V8 Volante wurde 1981 nach Luxemburg ...

74,000
11 Mar 2024
Germany

1981 Delorean DMC-12 This Delorean was built at the DMC factory in August 1981 and exported to the US in September then sold in Chicago October that year with registration (JET VET), it spent 22 years in Chicago with its first owner then was sold to a gentleman in Ohio up until 2014 when it was brought back to the ...

35,110
17 Feb 2024
Hampshire
Private

The BMW E21 was produced in the period from 1975 to 1983 The BMW E21 was originally only offered as a closed car However, BMW AG entered into a collaboration with the body factory BAUR to produce a convertible and in the period from 1978 to 1981 - 4.595 units were thus manufactured/rebuilt. Bauer TC-1 convertible However ...

88,000
9 Feb 2024
Denmark

Highlights Very well kept car in great order Recent £4,000 mechanical overhaul USA car imported in 2010 Factory standard car with manual box Fresh MOT without advisories, tax & ULEZ exempt The Appeal Whether you’re here for the movie, the drugs, the backstory or simply the astonishing looks, let's all take a ...

13,560
8 Mar 2024
Surrey
Private

1981 White Corvette Blue Int T Top PRICE: $ 13999  TRANSMISSION: AUTOMATIC  ENGINE: 350 Details 350 engine, blue leather interior, automatic transmission, 59,560 miles on dash (title is exempt for mileage), power steering, power brakes, X-A/C, adjustable sport mirrors, tinted glass, AM/FM/CD ...

59,000
17 Jan 2024
United States