Perhaps there is no other car in the history of world cinema that would cause such genuine delight among viewers as the legendary DeLorean DMC-12. This car with a stainless body and gull-wing doors became not just a vehicle, but a full-fledged symbol of an entire era of science fiction of the eighties. Many fans, reviewing the Robert Zemeckis trilogy, wonder: what exactly is this car called in reality and what prototypes did it have?
In the Back to the Future films, the car appears to us as the result of crazy experiments by the mad doctor Emmett Brown. However, in real life, it was a production sports car that was supposed to be a breakthrough in the automotive industry, but ended up becoming a cult object of pop culture. DeLorean is the only name you need to know to find information about this model.
Interestingly, in early drafts of the script, a completely different car appeared as a time machine. It could have been a refrigerator or even a jet plane, but budget constraints and visual aesthetics forced the creators to choose DMC-12. Let's take a closer look at the history of this car and its role in the movies.
What is the name of the time machine: the real name of the legend
The official name of the car is DeLorean DMC-12. The abbreviation DMC comes from the name of the manufacturing company DeLorean Motor Company, founded by John DeLorean. The number 12 in the model name indicates the number of cylinders in the engine, which was originally planned for this car, although a V6 version went into mass production.
What made the design unique was the use of stainless steel for the body panels. This decision was dictated not only by the desire to create a futuristic image, but also by practical considerations. Stainless metal did not require painting and was resistant to corrosion, which made DeLorean DMC-12 one of the most technologically advanced machines of its time in terms of materials.
In the context of the film, the machine was unofficially called the Time Machine. That's what the main characters Marty McFly and Doc Brown call it. However, in automotive circles and among collectors it is known exclusively as DeLorean. There was no special factory index for the version with a flux capacitor.
It is worth noting that the appearance of the car in the film underwent changes from part to part. If in the first film it was just a converted sports car, then by the third part it acquires increasingly crazy details like a steam engine and hoverboards. But the basis always remained the same - DMC-12.
History of the DeLorean Motor Company
The history of the creation of the manufacturing company is full of drama and ambition. John DeLorean, former executive General Motors, dreamed of creating an “ethical car” - safe, reliable and beautiful. Northern Ireland was chosen for the project, where the government provided generous subsidies to create jobs.
The Belfast plant began operations in 1981 but encountered many problems. The build quality of the first copies left much to be desired, and the financial fraud of John DeLorean himself led to his arrest and the bankruptcy of the company already in 1982. In total, about 9,000 copies were produced DeLorean DMC-12.
⚠️ Warning: Most DeLoreans produced in the early 80s had electrical and build quality problems. Buying an original today requires a thorough check and often a complete overhaul of the components.
Despite the commercial failure during his lifetime, the brand found a second life thanks to cinema. After the release of the first film, demand for the cars remaining in warehouses skyrocketed. Today the company DeLorean Motor Company (new, American) is engaged in restoring old models and producing limited editions with new engines.
- 🚗 The founder of the company is John Zachary DeLorean, a charismatic and controversial engineer.
- 🏭 The plant was located in Dunmoor, near Belfast, and was built specifically for the production of this model.
- 📉 The company existed as a manufacturer for only two years, from 1981 to 1983.
- 🎬 Without the success of the movie “Back to the Future,” the DeLorean brand would most likely have sunk into oblivion forever.
Specifications of the original DMC-12
What was this car like from a technical point of view? There was an engine under the hood V6 PRV (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo) with a volume of 2.85 liters. It was not the most powerful unit, producing about 130 horsepower, which was a rather modest figure for a sports coupe.
The car body was attached to the central spar, which provided high torsional rigidity. Gull-wing doors opened upward and were equipped with gas stops. In the films, for the convenience of the actors, the door hinges were modified to open wider than on production models.
When buying a DeLorean today, first of all pay attention to the condition of the frame and sills, since they are the ones that are subject to corrosion, despite the steel body.
The transmission could be manual (5 steps) or automatic (3 steps). Acceleration to 100 km/h took about 8.8 seconds for the manual, which was an average result. The main feature was not dynamics, but handling and appearance. The suspension was completely independent, which in the early 80s was considered a sign of high class.
| Parameter | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6 PRV 2.85 l | Developed jointly by Peugeot, Renault, Volvo |
| Power | 130 hp (145 hp in Californian version) | Torque 212 Nm |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h | 8.8 sec (manual) / 10.5 sec (automatic) | Depends on engine condition |
| Maximum speed | 175 km/h | Limited by aerodynamics |
| Weight | 1230 kg | Heavy weight due to steel body |
Car modifications for filming
Several cars were used to film the trilogy. The main “heroes” have undergone deep modernization. The body was equipped with additional plastic linings that imitate the aerodynamic body kits of the future. The insides were stuffed with luminous devices, toggle switches and, of course, a layout flux capacitor.
The most difficult element was the door opening system. In the original, they opened quite hard and required a lot of space above the car. For the Hollywood film set, special lightweight doors were made with reinforced hinges that could open in strong winds, simulating movement through time.
⚠️ Attention: In the scene where the car accelerates to 88 miles per hour, a special car was used with a powerful Porsche engine installed in the trunk, since the standard DeLorean engine could not cope with such dynamics.
For the third part of the film, which takes place in the Wild West, the car was equipped with a steam engine and wagon wheels. This specimen was fully functional and could move, albeit with difficulty. In total, about 6-7 main hero cars were built for the filming of three films and many copies for destruction.
- 🎥 “Hero Car”: a fully equipped car for close-ups with working electronics.
- 🚀 Stunt car: reinforced frame, replaced engine, no interior decor for installing cables.
- 🗑️ Demolition Machine: Cheap fiberglass replicas that exploded or fell off cliffs.
- 🌪️ Propeller version: modification for flights in the second part, equipped with hover conversion.
Cultural influence and phenomenon in pop culture
It's hard to find another car that has become such a recognizable silhouette. DeLorean mentioned in hundreds of other films, TV series, video games and songs. His image is strongly associated with the concept of time travel. Even people who have not seen the film will recognize this car by its characteristic doors.
In the 2010s, fans around the world raised millions of dollars through crowdfunding to get new DeLoreans into production. Although the project faced difficulties, it proved that the love for this car continues. The appearance of the car in the game Fortnite or Rocket League every time it causes a surge of interest in the original.
There's even a DeLorean Day that fans celebrate on October 21st, the date on which Marty McFly arrived in the future, according to the second part of the film. On this day, car owners gather for meetings, dress up as heroes and, of course, drive (virtually) up to 88 mph.
Secret fact about props
The famous "OUTATIME" (time out) license plate on the car has been changed for some rental countries. In Germany, for example, neutral numbers were used because the original font resembled Nazi symbols and the phrase could be misinterpreted.
Can you buy a DeLorean today?
Yes, buy DeLorean DMC-12 in 2026 is quite possible, but it will require a serious budget. Prices for original copies in good condition start from 40-50 thousand dollars and can reach 100 thousand or more for restored versions with mileage starting from zero. Cars with history (such as those used in promotions) are even more expensive.
However, owning such a car is not only prestige, but also a headache. Spare parts are expensive, and there are fewer and fewer specialists who know how to properly service a PRV engine and 1980s electricals. Many owners carry out the so-called “LS-swap”, replacing the original engine with a modern engine from Chevrolet, which significantly improves dynamics.
If you dream of such a car, it is important to understand: this is a weekend car for exhibitions and meetings of amateur clubs. Using it as a daily vehicle in a modern city with its traffic jams and bad roads is a risky proposition. But the emotions of driving a legend are worth it.
☑️ Checking DeLorean before purchasing
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it true that the DeLorean could fly?
In real life, no. In the film in the second part, the car received a hover conversion for flight, but this was just a cinematic invention. In reality, the car was quite heavy and did not have the aerodynamics to take off.
How many DeLoreans were produced?
The exact number of cars produced is around 9,200. Of these, according to various estimates, from 6,000 to 6,500 units have survived to this day. The rest were disposed of, broken or rotted in landfills.
Why do DeLoreans have such strange doors?
The gullwing doors were chosen by designer Giorgetto Giugiaro to give the car a futuristic look. In addition, this design made it easier to get into the car in tight parking conditions, although in practice it was not always convenient to open them.
What speed is needed to activate the time machine?
According to the plot of the film, to break the time shackles you need to reach a speed of exactly 88 miles per hour (about 141.6 km/h). At this moment, the flux capacitor is triggered, and the car makes a jump in time.
The DeLorean DMC-12 is a rare example of a car that became more famous and valuable because of a business failure and a movie success, rather than the other way around.