Despite not being the greatest supercar ever created, the DeLorean DMC-12 has gained a cult following thanks to the Back To The Future movie franchise. It was the time machine of Emmett "Doc" Brown and from then on its popularity was sealed, despite mostly being known in car circles for its lack of power and performance. However, the desire for a new one has been around for a while. And with the car turning 40 this year, Italdesign has teased a possible collaboration with DeLorean.
Italdesign Teases Collaboration With DeLorean On DMC-12
Italdesign shared a teaser image on social media while also remarking that 2021 is the 40th anniversary of the DMC-12. The image is split into two halves with a prototype DeLorean from 1981 at the top, and then a car with similar proportions but notably a more modern shape at the bottom with the iconic gull-wing doors in the up position. The teaser reads: “What a better way to celebrate an icon of automotive history than a sneak peek of the (near) future?” The signs then do very much point to the DMC-12 being revived in 2021, albeit in a low volume number. But nonetheless, this is still incredibly exciting.
NHTSA Permitting DMC-12 Replica Sales
The website DeLorean Rental has mentioned that DeLorean has been teasing the car since 2015, and it references a press release from DeLorean regarding a recent completion of regulation by the NHTSA. The release reads “National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has completed a regulation permitting low volume motor vehicle manufacturers to begin selling replica cars that resemble vehicles produced at least 25 years ago.”
This of course includes the DMC-12. The release continues by saying, “The recent release of the final rule document was unexpected, and we’re very pleased to see it finally happen. Still, four years overdue with no clear idea of when (or if!) these would ever be released did certainly keep us from putting too many eggs in that stainless steel basket, so to speak.” It does appear though that we might be very, very close to such a revival happening.
Sources: Italdesign, DeLorean Rental, Supercars, Wikipedia