When you hear a name DelorianMost people immediately associate with the cult film Back to the Future and the famous time machine. However, behind the screen glory hides the real history of the American automotive industry of the late 70s, full of ambition, engineering solutions and high-profile failures. This is not just a fiction of Hollywood writers, but a real one. DMC-12It was a short but bright time.
The history of the creation of motor-car It is inextricably linked to the personality of John DeLorian, a former vice president of General Motors, who decided to create his own empire. He dreamed of producing a car that would combine safety, environmental friendliness and a futuristic design that was not available to the competitors of the time. As a result, the world saw a unique coupe with doors of the type of “gull wings” and a body made of stainless steel.
Although the production lasted only about a year and a half, this sportsman It's a history forever. Today, the question is, What is Delorian?It is interesting not only for motorists, but also for collectors, film lovers and historians of the industry. The car became a symbol of the era, having outlived its manufacturing plant and become an icon of pop culture.
The history of creation and the identity of the founder
John Zachary Delorian was one of the most charismatic and controversial figures in the automotive world. Working in General MotorsHe was famous for creating the Pontiac GTO, but his ambitions went far beyond corporate constraints. In the mid-70s, he founded the DeLorean Motor Company (DMC) with the goal of producing the “car of tomorrow” today. His approach to business was as revolutionary as it was risky.
The project required huge investments, and John was actively seeking government support. As a result, the plant was decided to build not in the United States, but in Northern Ireland, Belfast, which was supposed to solve the problems of unemployment in the region and provide logistics for the European market. This decision became keynote The project is a geopolitical problem, and its geopolitical complexity is determined.
⚠️ The financial model of the company was initially based on optimistic sales forecasts, which did not take into account the sharp rise in the dollar and the economic crisis of the early 80s, which eventually led to bankruptcy.
Relations with investors and the UK government have been strained. Delorian often blamed partners for underfunding, while critics pointed to his inability to control spending. Despite this, by 1981, the first serial copies began to come off the assembly line, causing a real stir in the press.
Unique design and body structure
Appearance The DMC-12 became his signature. The design was done by the famous Giorgetto Giugiaro from the Italian studio Italdesign. The main feature was a body made of sheet stainless-steel. This decision was dictated not only by aesthetics, but also by the desire to avoid corrosion, which was the scourge of American cars of the time.
The metal was not painted, but only polished and covered with a transparent varnish, which gave the car a characteristic silvery shine. That's why. Delorian It is almost always silver in color. Any attempts to repaint the body in the factory were considered impractical, although owners often experimented with the color in private.
The doors deserve special attention. They open up and forth, like the flapping of a bird's wings. This design is called “gull-wing doors”. This decision was necessary because of the features of the safety frame, which surrounded the cabin around the perimeter and did not allow to make traditional doorways.
Stainless steel bodywork over time can tarnish, so owners of the original DeLorians are recommended to regularly polish the surface with special compositions to preserve the shine.
Engineers have also introduced a number of innovations to improve safety. The cabin was designed to minimize impact injuries, and bumpers were originally conceived as retractable, although in the production version this idea was partially abandoned in favor of simpler solutions.
Specifications and engine
Under the hood of the legendary coupe was hiding no less interesting, although not the most powerful unit. The car was fitted V6 engine volume of 2.85 liters, developed by the French company Peugeot-Renault-Volvo (PRV). The engine was located at the rear, which provided a rear drive layout, popular among sports cars of that time.
The engine power was about 130 horsepower in the stock version, which was acceptable for the early 80s, but not an outstanding figure. Acceleration to 100 km / h took about 8.8 seconds. By comparison, many of the competitors in this class were faster, but DeLorian compensated for this with his unique appearance and image.
The transmission could be both mechanical (5-speed box from Renault) and automatic (3-speed). The suspension was independent in the front and rear, which provided decent handling on good roads. However, the weight of the car, which was more than 1200 kg, affected the dynamics.
| Parameter | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Engine. | V6 PRV, 2.85 l | Located in the back. |
| Power | 130 hp | In the stock version |
| Driver. | Back | Classical scheme |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | Depends on the checkpoint. |
⚠️ Attention: PRV engines are known for their tendency to overheat when under prolonged load, so the condition of the cooling system is a critical parameter when buying a used one.
There is also a version DMC-12 TurboThe power of which was increased to 200 horsepower thanks to the installation of turbocharging. This modification was produced in a small series and today is considered a rarity among collectors.
Delorian in popular culture and cinema
You can't talk about it. What is Delorian?He did not mention his role in the Back to the Future trilogy. This car was chosen by Dr. Brown as the basis for the time machine. Cinematic fame instantly transformed the model from a commercially unsuccessful project into an immortal symbol.
In the film, the car was equipped with a “flux capasitator” and reached speeds of 88 miles per hour (about 141 km / h) to make a leap in time. For shooting, specially prepared specimens were used with additional body kit, exhaust pipes and light effects. After the film's release, the demand for the DeLorians skyrocketed.
Why did you choose DeLorian?
Director Robert Zemeckis explained the choice by saying that the car had to look like it came from the future. The futuristic design and gull wing doors were ideal for this concept, creating an image of a technological device rather than just a vehicle.
In addition to the movies, the car has appeared in countless video games, music videos and retro car shows. The image of the car has become so recognizable that many people who are not interested in motorsport know it by its face. It is a rare case of a sales failure being transformed into a cultural triumph.
Today, there are owners’ and fans’ clubs all over the world that organize meetings and races. The machine continues to inspire designers and engineers, proving that bold ideas can outlast their creator.
Current state of production and replicas
After the original company went bankrupt in 1982, the brand’s history didn’t end. In the 2000s, the production rights and spare parts were bought by a new company. DeLorean Motor Company (based in Florida, USA). They don’t build new cars from scratch, but they do repair old cars and build new parts.
Under U.S. law, a company can assemble cars if more than 50% of the parts are original or remanufactured. Therefore, modern DMC-12 They are often referred to as “new” although technically they are deeply modernized restomodes with new engines and improved electrical power.
- 🚗 Original: Cars produced in 1981-1983 at the Belfast plant.
- 🔧 Restaurants: Refurbished versions with new LS engines and modern safety systems.
- 🏭 Comments: Copies created by third-party companies on other platforms (e.g., Pontiac Fiero or Porsche 911).
There are also numerous replicas from third-party manufacturers on the market. Some of them are made very high quality and use fiberglass bodies that simulate stainless steel. Others are cheap fakes that can disappoint the buyer.
☑️ Checking on the purchase of DeLorean
Cost of ownership and maintenance
Buying DeLorean today is not just about buying a car, it’s about investing in history. The cost of original copies in good condition can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, the maintenance of such a machine requires serious financial investments and technical knowledge.
Spare parts for original engines and unique body parts (such as windows or door panels) can be difficult to access and expensive. Owners often have to order components from abroad or contact specialized workshops, which are not in every city.
⚠️ Warning: When buying, avoid instances with a heavily corroded frame. Repairing the supporting structure can cost more than the car itself, and is often technically impractical.
Despite the difficulties, the army of fans is growing. For many owners, the opportunity to ride a car that can travel through time (if in their imagination) outweighs all the technical difficulties and costs of gasoline.
DeLorean is a paradoxical car: commercially unsuccessful in its time, it has become one of the most coveted collectible cars in the world thanks to its unique design and film role.
Is it true that Delorian can fly?
In real life, the Delorian car can’t fly. The ability to soar in the air was added exclusively for the second part of the movie "Back to the Future" with the help of special effects and suspended cables. In the third part of the film, the car also rode on the tracks, but did not fly on its own.
How many were released by the DeLoreans?
The exact number of cars produced is often debated, but it is believed that a total of around 9,000 units were produced. Of these, about 6000-6500 copies have survived in various states to this day. The rest were disposed of, broken down or destroyed during security testing.
Can I buy a new Delorian today?
Formally, the new Delorian can not be bought, as the original production stopped. However, DeLorean Motor Company offers refurbished zero-mileage odometer vehicles and new engines that are legally new, but technically modern versions of the old model.