The DeLorean Turns 25

Today is a very special day as I'm celebrating two things. Thing #1: Exactly two years ago my 1981 DeLorean was delivered to my front door after being shipped from Sechelt, British Columbia. Exactly two years ago I sat in it for the very first time.

My stainless beauty was shipped by rail to Toronto, then loaded onto a specialized car-carrier and driven, in slow motion, into my waiting arms while the "Chariots of Fire" theme played in the background.

The shipping company I used was Hansen's. Their prices were awesome, and their care in protecting my new toy was even awesomer. Yes, awesomer is a word. You don't need to look it up.

A guy who looked a lot like a mad scientist in a white smock unloaded an Audi A6, then drove my D off the truck and up the driveway. I placed all the paperwork on the shining bonnet and signed with a jittery hand.

I owned my dream car.

Thing #2: It is May. My DeLorean has reached a milestone. If I had a cake for it, I would jam 25 candles into it. Now, at 25 years old, my DeLorean has officially gained the title of Classic Car. All those suckers with 1982 DeLoreans have to jealously suffer with a 24-year-old "Special Interest" car. Ha! Ha, I say.

My DeLorean rolled out of the Dunmurry, Ireland factory in May 1981, the 751st car produced out of approximately 9,000 DMC-12's. It was purchased at Towne Ford/DMC in Redwood City, California.

The original price was $29,825 U.S., which was a hefty sum for a car back in 1981 considering the base price of a 1981 Corvette was $16,258, a Datsun 280 ZX turbo was about $17,500 and the '81 Porsche 911SC started at $28,365.

But, in its defense, can you put a price on sex appeal?