1981 | DeLorean DMC-12

Transmission: 5 gears, Manual gearbox
Model year: 2025
Empty weight: 1.280 kg
Emission class: Euro 0
Registration number: ZK-15-XT

DeLorean DMC-12 built in October 1981 with manual transmission. Perhaps the most legendary car ever made with an illustrious story.

- In the Netherlands since 1991
- Owned for 20 years by last owner
- Manual gearbox
- Documentation available
- Black DMC striping (original dealer option at the time)

A DeLorean DMC-12 developed by John DeLorean is the ultimate style icon of the 1980s about which books have been written. The marque produced cars from January 1981 to mid-1983. The one we are offering was built in October 1981, making it an early example that began its life in sunny California (USA). In 1991, the car was imported to the Netherlands, where it came into the hands of enthusiasts. The last owner has owned the car since 2004. The car looks clean and drives well. The DMC (short for DeLorean Motor Company) is still a timeless, striking model in which a unique driving experience is experienced. The history of the car adds to the driving experience. Parts are readily available and DeLoreans are often bought by investors and collectors these days. In particular, this one with a manual gearbox is an excellent choice for the future (Back to the Future)!


General information about the DeLorean DMC-12:
DeLorean is world-famous thanks to the 1985 film ‘Back to the Future’ in which the car acts as a time machine. But many books and series have also been realised about the brand's flamboyant owner ‘John DeLorean’ and the creation of the DMC-12. John DeLorean was a successful engineer and businessman who had built his career up to vice-president of the then world's largest car company General Motors. Partly because of his dream of developing his own car, he left the company in 1973. His desire was to build a highly special, affordable sports car that was ahead of its time and would last a long time. What followed was worldwide news. The design came from the hand of Italy's Giugiaro and technically responsible was Colin Chaplin (founder of British car brand Lotus, which was very successful in racing at the time). The futuristic design is wide and low and the bodywork is made of stainless steel. What else stands out are the wing doors and the engine placed in the centre. This aluminium 2.8-litre 6-cylinder engine comes from Renault/Peugeot/Volvo.

Of the DMC-12, aimed at the US market, 30,000 units per year were to be built with a new-build price of $12,000 (this is what the 12 from DMC-12 refers to). After an arduous search for a place to produce the car, Northern Ireland was finally designated with the help of the British government. A place where unemployment was high at the time and there was a war between Protestants and Catholics. This gave the production of the DMC-12 an extra political dimension. Because of a change in the exchange rate of the British pound, the final new-build price was about double what was indicated beforehand. Despite about half a billion invested taxpayers' money from the British government, the lack of money remained a problem, eventually resulting in the brand's bankruptcy after producing about 9,000 cars.