The DMC DeLorean

The DMC DeLorean, often simply referred to as the DMC-12, is a car that has transcended its initial purpose as just a vehicle to actually become a bit of a cultural icon. With its futuristic gull-wing doors, brushed stainless steel body and its association with the Back to the Future trilogy, the DeLorean has managed to stay relevant decades after its launch. But what’s the story behind this legendary car? Let’s find out…

The birth of the DeLorean

The DeLorean Motor Company (DMC) was founded in 1975 by John DeLorean, a former General Motors executive with a flair for ambition and innovation. The DMC-12, designed by the acclaimed Giorgetto Giugiaro, was intended to be a revolutionary sports car. Built in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland, the DeLorean was part of an ambitious plan to revitalise the region’s economy. The car’s most distinctive features were its brushed stainless steel body panels, which resisted corrosion and eliminated the need for paint, and its iconic gull-wing doors, giving it a futuristic look that was unmatched by anything else on the market.

Production began in 1981, but the DeLorean faced several challenges almost immediately. The car’s performance, powered by a 2.85L V6 engine developed in partnership with Peugeot, Renault and Volvo, was underwhelming compared to its exotic appearance. It struggled to compete with other sports cars of the time, and its high price tag (equivalent to over £70,000 today) deterred many potential buyers.

Commercial challenges

Despite its striking design, the DeLorean was not a commercial success. Only around 9,000 units were produced before DMC went bankrupt in 1982. Critics pointed to its underpowered engine, a sluggish 0-60 mph time of around 10 seconds, and quality control issues as some of the key factors contributing to its downfall.

The DeLorean’s failure was also tied to economic challenges in Northern Ireland and difficulties in securing sustainable funding. By 1983, the dream of DMC had ended, and the car seemed destined to be a mere footnote in automotive history.

Back to the future…

What truly saved the DeLorean from obscurity was its starring role in the 1985 film Back to the Future. The time machine designed by Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) needed to be ‘something with style’, and the DeLorean fit the bill perfectly. The car’s futuristic look and special doors made it instantly memorable, and its unique stainless steel body was cleverly tied into the plot, allowing the flux capacitor to generate the 1.21 gigawatts needed for time travel.

Thankfully, the trilogy helped to cement the DeLorean’s place in popular culture, turning it into a symbol of 1980s nostalgia. Today, many people would associate the car more with the movies than with its original purpose - as a sports car.

The DeLorean legacy

Although it failed commercially, the DeLorean does remain as an enduring symbol of innovation. Many of the original cars still exist, with a thriving community of enthusiasts dedicated to preserving and restoring them. Parts are readily available thanks to the revival of the DeLorean Motor Company in Texas, which now provides maintenance and even offers refurbished models.

In a bid to continue her father’s legacy, Kat DeLorean, daughter of John DeLorean, founded DeLorean Next Generation (DNG) Motors. The company’s inaugural supercar, the Model-JZD - named after John Zachary DeLorean - is currently under development in Detroit, Michigan. This project not only aims to revive the iconic DeLorean design, featuring the signature gull-wing doors, but also serves as an educational initiative, as fifteen students from the Greater Detroit Area will apparently be collaborating with experienced engineers to build the first full-scale model of the JZD, utilising state-of-the-art facilities provided by generous partners.

The DMC DeLorean may not have been a success in its time, but its legacy far outweighs its commercial struggles. From its bold design and Northern Irish roots to its role as the ultimate time machine, the DeLorean is a car like no other.

It'll be interesting to see what the future brings with DNG Motors!

What are your thoughts on this legend of a car? Let us know in the comments below.