The DeLorean DMC-12 might be one of the world's most famous film cars after achieving superstardom appearing as a time machine in the Back to the Future franchise. But the real-life brainchild of John DeLorean simply didn't live up to the futuristic exterior styling that made it stand out from other sports cars, largely thanks to a weak V6 mounted amidships that was often paired with a slushbox automatic transmission. DeLorean values still remain high, however, which makes it all the more impressive that a drifter in France has decided to choose the iconic car as a platform for a hardcore drifting build that features a LS3 V8 mounted up front, rather than in the V6's original location.
A Front-Engine DeLorean Project
In some ways, even calling the project a DeLorean seems like a bit of a misnomer. In a series of Facebook posts, owner Alexandre Claudin (who also has a classic Dodge Charger drift car and is currently selling a Chevrolet Corvette Z06) reveals all the hard work that's gone into transforming his DeLorean into a car that will easily reach 88 miles per hour. The platform for the project is a custom tube chassis that employs an independent rear suspension system from a BMW—both necessary to facilitate the switch to a front-engine layout.
More To Come Following The LS3 V8 Swap
The powerplant of choice is an LS3 V8, which employs what looks like a hilarious rainbow-themed intake manifold, plus a serpentine swirl of custom exhaust headers. The interior has been stripped, received a roll cage, and a fully custom dash and steering wheel setup. Claudin has hitherto posted teaser images that even blur out which wheels he's decided to install, though the full reveal has been promised to occur soon. All told, if the DeLorean can finally live up to its angular, brushed stainless steel exterior, the build's (undoubtedly countless) man-hours will all be worth it soon.
Sources: facebook.com and cnbc.com.