The DeLorean DMC-12, often simply referred to as the DeLorean, is an iconic sports car manufactured by DeLorean Motor Company (DMC) between 1981 and 1983. It gained worldwide fame after being featured as the time machine in the "Back to the Future" movie trilogy. The DeLorean’s unique stainless-steel body, gull-wing doors, and futuristic design have made it one of the most recognizable cars in automotive history.
Overview
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Manufacturer: DeLorean Motor Company (DMC)
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Years of Production: 1981-1983
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Designer: Giorgetto Giugiaro (famed Italian car designer)
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Class: Sports car
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Body Style: 2-door coupe with gull-wing doors
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Engine: 2.85-liter V6 (PRV engine)
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Horsepower: Approximately 130 hp
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Transmission: 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic
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Top Speed: Around 109 mph (175 km/h)
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Price: Originally priced at around $25,000 in the 1980s (approximately $75,000 in today’s money)
Key Features and Specifications
1. Design and Aesthetics
The DeLorean is most famous for its stainless steel body panels and gull-wing doors:
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Stainless Steel Body: The body panels were made of unpainted stainless steel, giving the car its unique metallic finish. This was both a stylistic and practical choice, as the stainless steel was durable and resistant to corrosion.
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Gull-Wing Doors: The doors open upwards in a distinctive fashion, a hallmark of futuristic car design in the 1980s. Gas struts support the gull-wing doors to make them easy to open, despite their size.
2. Chassis and Suspension
The DeLorean featured a fiberglass chassis and body structure with the stainless-steel panels bolted onto it. The suspension was relatively advanced for the time, with double-wishbone suspension in the front and independent rear suspension, which gave it a balanced ride, but the car’s overall weight and design made it more suited for cruising rather than high-performance driving.
3. Engine and Performance
The DMC-12 was powered by a 2.85-liter V6 PRV engine, a collaboration between Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo. However, the engine’s performance was somewhat underwhelming compared to the car’s sporty appearance:
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Horsepower: Around 130 hp.
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0-60 mph: Approximately 9-10 seconds, which was slow for a sports car even by the standards of the 1980s.
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Transmission: Buyers could choose between a 5-speed manual transmission or a 3-speed automatic.
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Top Speed: The DeLorean had a top speed of around 109 mph, which was not competitive with other sports cars of the era.
4. Interior
The interior of the DeLorean DMC-12 was typical of 1980s design, featuring a minimalist dashboard and controls, along with leather seats:
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Digital clock and analog dials dominated the instrument panel.
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Air conditioning was standard, along with electric windows.
- Despite the compact appearance, the car offered decent cabin space for two passengers.
5. Performance Criticism
While the DeLorean’s styling was cutting-edge, its performance was often criticized. The car was heavier than expected, and the 130 hp from the V6 engine was not enough to deliver the sports car performance buyers anticipated. The U.S. market's emission regulations also impacted engine output. This mismatch between appearance and performance led to some disappointment from early owners.
6. Back to the Future Fame
The DeLorean became a global cultural icon when it was featured as the time machine in the "Back to the Future" movie trilogy, starting in 1985. The car’s futuristic looks made it a perfect fit for the role. In the film, Dr. Emmett Brown (played by Christopher Lloyd) modified the DeLorean with a flux capacitor, allowing it to travel through time when it hit 88 mph.
7. Production and DeLorean Motor Company
The DeLorean Motor Company was founded by John DeLorean, a former General Motors executive, in 1975. Production of the DMC-12 began in 1981 at a factory in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland. However, due to financial difficulties, production ended in 1983, with fewer than 9,000 cars made.
John DeLorean’s legal troubles and the company’s financial issues caused the company to collapse. Despite this, the DeLorean remains a cult classic, thanks to its movie fame and striking design.
8. Modern Interest and New Production
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Restorations and Aftermarket: Due to the limited production run, the DeLorean has become a collector’s item. Enthusiasts and aftermarket specialists provide restoration services, and it's possible to find parts and rebuilt models today.
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New DeLorean Motor Company: In the early 2000s, a new DeLorean Motor Company was formed in Texas, specializing in restoring original DeLoreans and providing parts. In recent years, the company has announced plans to build new electric versions of the DeLorean with modern performance specifications, although these plans are still in development.
