Beautifully engraved RARE certificate from the DeLorean Motor Company issued in 1982. This historic document was printed by the Security - Columbian Banknote Company and has an ornate border around it with a vignette of the company logo. This item is hand signed by the Company's President ( John Z. De Lorean ) and Secretary and is over 21 years old. The certificate was issued to Mesirow & Co. for 2,500 shares on September 22, 1982. We have only seen a few Delorean Certificates with the company logo, but this is the first one we have seen that was hand signed by John Z. De Lorean on the certificate. We were told by the company trustee this is very RARE.
Certificate Vignette The DeLorean automobile was manufactured in Dunmurray, Northern Ireland (just six miles from downtown Belfast) from the beginning of 1981 through the end of 1982 by the DeLorean Motor Company (DMC). There were about 9,200 of the unique cars manufactured during that period of which most are well preserved today (see the research results on DMC production chronology). Although there was a limited number of cars manufactured, their durable construction and reliance on standard parts (aside from the body) make the car readily maintainable and there is currently no difficulty in finding most replacement parts when necessary. The most unique features of the cars include the stainless steel exteriors, which require no paint and were therefore left unpainted, and the gull-wing doors. This unique design gives the car a futuristic look that is probably best identified with the popular "Back to the Future" movies starring Michael J. Fox. There was much controversy about the close of the auto company and the ensuing drug related conspiracy charges brought against the companys founder John Z. DeLorean. On October 19, 1982, John DeLorean was arrested by FBI agents for possession of a suitcase full of cocaine, which he had hoped to sell to raise money for his struggling company. In 1984, the charges brought against Mr. DeLorean were dismissed on grounds for entrapment and, aside from 10 days spent raising sufficient bail, Mr. DeLorean served no prison time.