The DeLorean DMC-12 is one of the most iconic and unique cars ever built. Famous for its futuristic design and its starring role in the Back to the Future film franchise, the DeLorean is not only a car but also a cultural symbol that has captured the imagination of car enthusiasts, movie fans, and collectors alike. From its stainless-steel body to its distinctive gull-wing doors, the DeLorean DMC-12 has remained a symbol of 1980s style, innovation, and cinematic history.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the fascinating history of the DeLorean DMC-12, exploring its design, the story behind its creation, its brief but impactful time on the market, and its lasting fame thanks to Back to the Future. Whether you’re a classic car enthusiast or a fan of the iconic movie franchise, the DeLorean has a story that is worth exploring.
The Birth of the DeLorean DMC-12
The DeLorean DMC-12 was the brainchild of John DeLorean, a former executive at General Motors who sought to create a car that would stand out from the competition. In 1975, DeLorean founded the DeLorean Motor Company (DMC) with the goal of producing a high-performance sports car that would rival the likes of Ferrari and Porsche. DeLorean envisioned a car that was not just fast but also innovative and futuristic in its design.
1. Design and Engineering Innovation
The DMC-12 was a striking vehicle with design elements that made it stand out from anything else on the road at the time. The car’s most notable features included its stainless-steel body, gull-wing doors, and sleek, angular design. The stainless-steel exterior was particularly unusual, as it gave the car a brushed, metallic finish that not only made it visually unique but also required very little maintenance. Unlike painted cars, the stainless steel body was resistant to rust and didn’t require frequent touch-ups.
Another key element of the DeLorean DMC-12‘s design was its gull-wing doors, which opened upward instead of outward. These doors became one of the most recognizable features of the car, contributing to its futuristic image. The DMC-12 also boasted a low-slung, sharp-edged body that gave it an aggressive stance while remaining sleek and aerodynamic.
Underneath the skin, the DMC-12 was powered by a PRV V6 engine (developed by Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo), which was placed in the rear of the car to enhance the vehicle’s handling. The DeLorean also featured a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 3-speed automatic transmission.
2. The Production Struggles
Despite its forward-thinking design and high-profile backer in John DeLorean, the car faced significant production challenges. DMC struggled with quality control issues and a lack of funding, which delayed production and drove up costs. The car’s original planned price was around $12,000, but due to production delays and financial issues, the cost ballooned to around $25,000 by the time it reached the market.
In the end, the company was only able to produce approximately 9,000 DeLorean DMC-12 units before the company went bankrupt in 1982. The DeLorean DMC-12’s run was short-lived, but its design and the boldness of its ambition left an indelible mark on the automotive world.
Back to the Future: The DeLorean’s Cinematic Fame
While the DeLorean DMC-12 was not a commercial success, it became a global sensation thanks to its starring role in the 1985 film Back to the Future. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg, the film introduced the DeLorean to an entirely new audience. In the movie, the car was transformed into a time machine by the eccentric inventor Doc Brown (played by Christopher Lloyd), with the help of his young friend, Marty McFly (played by Michael J. Fox).
1. The Time Machine
The DeLorean was selected as the time machine because its sleek and futuristic appearance perfectly fit the movie’s vision of time travel. In Back to the Future, the car was equipped with a flux capacitor, the fictional device that made time travel possible. The car’s famous gull-wing doors and shiny stainless-steel exterior were perfect for creating a visually distinctive and memorable time machine.
When the DeLorean was first seen in the film, it was introduced in a dramatic scene in which Doc Brown demonstrates the car’s ability to travel through time by sending his dog, Einstein, one minute into the future. After this groundbreaking demonstration, the car becomes the central plot device for the rest of the trilogy, as Marty McFly uses it to travel through different points in time, experiencing both the past and the future.
2. Cultural Impact
The DeLorean DMC-12’s role in Back to the Future cemented its status as one of the most beloved cars in cinema history. The film franchise itself has continued to grow in popularity, with each new generation of fans discovering the DeLorean through the Back to the Future movies.
The DeLorean DMC-12 became more than just a car—it became an essential part of pop culture. The car’s association with time travel, adventure, and the 1980s has turned it into a nostalgic icon, one that still evokes excitement and curiosity among fans and collectors today.
The DeLorean’s Enduring Legacy
Though the DeLorean Motor Company went bankrupt in 1982, the DeLorean DMC-12 has continued to endure. The DMC-12 remains a sought-after collectible, with enthusiasts cherishing its unique design, its pop culture status, and its connection to Back to the Future. Today, the car has an almost mythical status—its distinctive look, memorable role in film, and legacy as one of the most unique cars ever produced have made it a dream car for many.
1. Collector’s Car
The DeLorean DMC-12 remains a favorite among classic car collectors. Due to its limited production, it is now considered a rare vehicle, and the fact that it is linked to the Back to the Future franchise only adds to its appeal. Prices for a well-maintained DeLorean can range significantly depending on the car’s condition, and some enthusiasts even recreate the time machine version of the DeLorean, complete with its flux capacitor and time travel modifications.
2. DeLorean Motor Company Revival
In the years since the original company went bankrupt, a new company called DeLorean Motor Company (DMC Texas) has revived the brand. While they don’t produce new cars, they restore and refurbish original DeLoreans, keeping the legacy alive for new generations of fans and collectors. In addition, there have been talks of reviving the DeLorean brand, with rumors of a modern-day electric version of the iconic car.
3. A Pop Culture Staple
Beyond the car’s appearance in Back to the Future, the DeLorean DMC-12 remains a pop culture staple. It has appeared in television shows, commercials, video games, and even music videos. Fans continue to celebrate its distinctive design and unique history, ensuring the DeLorean’s place in the annals of pop culture history.
Conclusion: A Car Ahead of Its Time
The DeLorean DMC-12 is a classic example of how a car’s legacy can be shaped by more than just its performance on the road. Although the DeLorean was not a commercial success in the traditional sense, its combination of innovative design, distinctive features, and cultural significance has made it one of the most memorable vehicles of all time. Its role as the time machine in Back to the Future immortalized it as one of cinema’s most iconic cars, and today it remains a beloved collectible and cultural symbol.
Whether you remember it from the silver screen or as a piece of automotive history, the DeLorean DMC-12 will always be more than just a car. It is a symbol of the future, the past, and everything in between.
