The DeLorean DMC-12 is a sports vehicle that was produced in Northern Ireland by the DeLorean Motor Company for the American market between 1981 and 1983. Because it was the sole model ever manufactured by the business, it is simply known as the DeLorean.
On paper, John Z DeLorean’s sports car was a vision of late-’70s futurism, and it seemed to have everything going for it. The DMC-12 was designed by Giugiaro and featured a low-slung, wedge-shaped body with brushed steel outer skin, gullwing doors, and a fuel-injection 2849 cc V6 engine in the rear similar to a 911.
In the 1980s, there was a paradigm shift in automotive design, and many manufacturers competed to leave their mark on history by producing some of the best cars ever. Nothing, however, symbolized individualism like the DeLorean DMC-12, which has maintained its iconic status to this day.
About nine thousand DMC-12s were made before production stopped in late 1982. Today, nearly 6,500 DeLorean Motor Cars are believed to still exist. Even though the car had a lot of controversies, the DMC-12 was a fantastic car.
Here’s everything we adore about the DeLorean DMC-12
The DMC-12 Is A Well-Known Movie Star
On April 22, 2016, the Petersen Automotive Museum unveiled the DeLorean DMC-12 time machine, which was made famous by the 1985 film Back to the Future. Universal Studios Hollywood will lend the stainless steel time machine to the Petersen Museum on a long-term basis.
Despite being a discredited product of a failing corporation, the DeLorean DMC-12 was selected ahead of other cars. The futuristic appearance of its stainless steel panels and gullwing doors provided the foundation to make it a cinematic icon. The DeLorean sports car is probably better known as the fictional time machine from the Back to the Future movies than for its motoring prowess.
Since then, the DeLorean has made cameos in numerous films, including the renowned Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One and the popular sitcom American Dad.
Performance And Handling Of The The DeLorean DMC-12
A customized 2.85-liter version of the PRV V6 engine was designed and built specifically for the DMC-12, enabling it to accelerate from zero to sixty miles per hour in 8.8 seconds with the manual transmission and 10.5 seconds with the automatic transmission.
However, before the vehicle could be sold in the United States, emissions regulations required that components such as catalytic converters be installed. Although the new components allowed the vehicle to be sold in the United States, they resulted in a substantial decrease in power output, which was reduced to 130 horsepower.
The 40-horsepower reduction severely hampered the DMC-12’s performance, and when coupled with the vehicle's mandated suspension system modifications, the US versions were viewed as unsatisfactory.
The ride is firm but comfortable, and the driving is smooth and pleasant up to the car's top speeds, as long as the driver knows that the rear weight bias may result in handling that is different from what he's used to.
The DeLorean's Unique Exterior And Interior
The DMC-12's body design was created by Ital Design's Giorgetto Giugiaro and is made of brushed SS304 stainless steel. All DMC-12s left the factory untouched by paint or clear coat, except for three cars that were plated in 24-karat gold.
When the DeLorean first came out, there weren't many cars with gullwing doors. The cryogenically present torsion bar suspension and nitrogen-charged struts actuated these hefty doors. They also had small slit windows instead of full windows that operated electrically.
The underbody is linked to a steel double-Y frame, similar to the Lotus Esprit. The hood of the 1981 model has grooves going along both sides and a fuel filler flap. The car was modified in 1983, and a metal DeLorean emblem was added to the right corner of the bonnet.
The chairs were considered to be very comfortable, with leather upholstery and a little storage area underneath them. A proportional speed rack and the pinion steering wheel were also included. Only two colors of interior trim were available: black and gray.
Air conditioning and a sleek instrument cluster are included in the car. It wasn't the most beautiful cabin layout, but it was certainly unique.
The car was equipped with low-cost alloy wheels, which were painted gray and had the DMC logo stamped on the center cap. They were then polished and silver-coated, with the center cap colored black for further contrast.
The DMC-12 Is A Collector's Item
When the DeLorean was first launched in 1981, it cost $25,000, while the 1982 variant cost $29,825. Due to the extra features and design changes, the 1983 model was priced at $34,000. There are numerous other variations of the DeLorean available throughout the globe, including gold-plated models, right-hand drive variants, and more.
Despite the criticism, the DeLorean is still highly sought after by collectors, particularly those who grew up watching the Back to the Future movies in the 1980s. The design may be one reason for this. The DeLorean was one of the last cars to have a wedge-shaped design, and it still has the ability to attract attention today.
It's tough to track down a DeLorean. During its two-year production cycle, DMC manufactured about 8,000 devices, with approximately 6,000 remaining today. Collectors who want to buy a good-condition DeLorean should be prepared to spend a lot of money.
The Renewal Of The DMC-12
In 2021, the DeLorean will celebrate its 40th anniversary, and Italdesign, the famous Italian design firm and home of Giorgetto Giugiaro, is reimagining the iconic DeLorean DMC12 and bringing it back to the future.
The new DeLorean DMC-12 should be available by autumn 2021. DeLorean Motor Company's vice president believes it's the realistic timeframe.
The DeLorean DMC-12 has a new engine and modern comforts, yet it still has the same iconic design that enthusiasts love. For a modern DeLorean, the company has previously suggested a price of about $100,000, but for others, putting a number on such epic memories is difficult.