97HawkLT1's 1981 DeLorean DMC-12

About this Previous Vehicle:

I was lucky enough to buy this car when I was 19, about 5 years ago. I then wrecked it 10 months later. It is the only accident I have been in and in fact is the only ticket of any kind I have received. Although I had already had three cars at this point, this one was definitely my first true love. It is also one of my biggest regrets that I didn't keep the car after the accident and rebuild it. It was VIN 5030 and was an absolute blast to own. I doubt I will ever be as happy with another car again and hope to be able to afford another one some day.

Those of you who know these cars probably noticed that the front and back bumper where painted by a previous owner. They tried to match the color of the stainless instead of making it the original color. The original color was painted a darker gray because Delorean knew he wouldn't be able to make painted plastic look like the stainless steel. This car had the hood lines, but no gas flap. It was also a late enough car that it had the power antenna in the back left quarter panel, which was the best configuration. It had the gray interior and the 5-speed.

If you look at the last picture, you can see what it looked like after the accident. The "crush tubes" in the frame worked exactly as the were designed and took the brunt of the force. Even though the damage doesn't look that bad, the cost of getting parts and a place that would work on it were more than my insurance would pay and they just totaled it. The engine still ran fine. With the way the prices have gone on these cars in the last few years, it would have been smart to keep and fix it and that is what I wish I had done.