The question is how many cars exactly? DeLorean DMC-12 was produced, has been the subject of intense debate among collectors and motorsports historians for over forty years. Official company reports DMC, which existed in the early 1980s, were often contradicted by the actual data coming from the assembly line in Belfast. This is due to chaotic management, bankruptcy of the plant and complex logistics of supplying components from different countries.
Most sources agree that the exact number of copies produced does not coincide with the number of cars sold, since a significant part of the cars never left the factory warehouses. Cultural phenomenon, which arose around this model after the release of the film "Back to the Future", only added myths and legends to the dry statistics. Many owners are still unsure of the authenticity of their cars or their place in the production chain.
In this article we will analyze archival data to give the most accurate answer to the question about circulation. You will learn how DeLorean survived the collapse of the company and why the number of surviving examples today may differ from factory records in 1982.
Official data and production reports of the plant
According to surviving documentation, the official production DeLorean DMC-12 began in January 1981 and continued until December 1982. The main plant was located in Dunmill Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was here that the final assembly of cars took place from components produced around the world. John DeLorean planned to produce thousands of cars per month, but the reality turned out to be much less optimistic.
During the period of active production, about 9,200 cars were assembled on the assembly line, which were considered suitable for sale. However, if you take into account prototypes, pre-production samples and cars assembled after the official closure of the plant in 1983 (the so-called “Capstone” or “588”), the overall figure changes. Statistics shows that the actual number of chassis produced exceeds 9,500 units.
It is important to understand that not all assembled vehicles were fully equipped. Some of them left the factory without engines or gearboxes, heading to the USA for further development. This creates confusion in calculations: should such a car be considered released? For historians exact number 9212 often taken as a benchmark for the number of fully operational vehicles produced during the original company's period of operation.
⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse the number of cars produced with the number of registered VIN numbers. Many cars were dismantled for spare parts or disposed of immediately after the company's bankruptcy, without being included in sales statistics.
The Belfast plant's production capacity allowed it to assemble up to 30-40 cars per day at peak capacity, but downtime and strikes often reduced this figure to zero. Build quality The first batches of 1981 were significantly different from the cars of the end of 1982, when many childhood design problems were eliminated.
Release chronology and VIN numbers
Vehicle identification number (VIN) is the main key to understanding the history of each DeLorean. The numbering was not strictly sequential, which often confuses researchers. The numbers were stamped at the Belfast factory and have a specific structure that allows you to determine the year and month of production.
The first cars of the 1981 model year had numbers starting with a prefix indicating an early period of production. By mid-1981, when quality had reached an acceptable level, numbering became more stable. 1982 was the last year of full-fledged production, and it was the cars of this period that are considered the most reliable from a technical point of view.
The table below shows an approximate breakdown of output by year, based on an analysis of surviving VIN codes:
| Year of issue | Approximate circulation | Features of the period | Reliability status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | ~2500 pcs. | First batches, many defects | Needs improvements |
| 1982 | ~6500 pcs. | Main circulation, errors corrected | Optimal |
| 1983 | ~200 pcs. | Assembly from leftovers (Capstone) | High (new parts) |
| 2000+ | ~100 pcs. | DMC project, new VIN | New cars |
It is worth noting that after 1982 the company DMC formally ceased to exist, but the production process did not stop instantly. The parts remaining in the warehouses were used to assemble a limited batch of cars, which were sold through the remnants of the dealer network. These vehicles often have hybrid characteristics and unique VIN numbers, knocked out after the official closure of the plant.
The capstone problem and post-bankruptcy proceedings
Apart in history DeLorean DMC-12 there are cars known as "Capstone" or "588". After the company went bankrupt in 1982, huge quantities of unused parts remained in warehouses in Northern Ireland and the United States. In 1983, under the management of a new company KAPAC, it was decided to assemble a batch of cars from these remains for sale.
It is believed that about 200-300 of these machines were assembled. They were equipped with new engines and gearboxes, but were assembled in a hurry. Build quality These cars varied, since quality control was no longer as strict as in the best times of the plant. However, these cars are of particular interest to collectors due to their rarity.
Why are they called "588"?
The number 588 comes from the myth that this is how many cars were planned to be assembled from leftovers. In fact, the exact number of capstones assembled varies from 200 to 300 units, and not all of them were sold to end customers.
It is important to note that some of these vehicles received new VIN numbers in the US, which creates additional confusion in the registries. Identification Such machines require a thorough study of the history of each specific instance. They often do not have the nameplate in the doorway, characteristic of the Belfast period.
⚠️ Attention: When purchasing a 1983 DeLorean, be sure to check the origin of the VIN number. KAPAC assembly machines may have differences in the wiring and mounting of units compared to the originals of 1981-1982.
Revival of production in the 2000s
History DeLorean didn't end in the 80s. In the early 2000s, the rights to the brand and the remaining inventory were purchased by a new company DMC (DeLorean Motor Company) in Houston, Texas. They received the right to produce new cars using original, but previously unused parts.
Since 2007, the company began producing so-called "New DeLoreans". These cars are assembled from original components that have been stored in warehouses for decades, or from newly manufactured parts made from original drawings. Circulation These cars are strictly limited, and each car receives a new VIN number starting with the year code (for example, 1 or 2 for the 2000s).
If you see a DeLorean with a VIN number that starts with a 1 or 2 (after the manufacturer's prefix), you know it's a 2000s-built car, not an 80s original.
To date, less than 100 of these “new” cars have been produced. They fully comply with modern safety and environmental requirements, as they are equipped with engines Ford or Pontiac with an injection system, unlike the carburetor engines of the originals. This makes them more suitable for daily use, but less valuable to classic collectors.
How many DeLorean DMC-12s have survived to this day?
The question is how many cars DeLorean DMC-12 remained alive is even more complex than the question of production. According to experts at DMC in Houston, today there are about 6,500 cars in the world in various conditions. This means that a significant portion of the 9,000+ vehicles produced were lost, broken, or dismantled for parts.
A high degree of body corrosion is the main enemy of these cars. The stainless steel from which the body panels are made does not rust, but steel base the body underneath is susceptible to corrosion, especially in humid climates. Many cars produced in 1981 have not survived to this day precisely because of problems with the body.
☑️ What to check before buying a rare car
However, thanks to an active owner community and DMC Texas, the percentage of vehicles restored is on the rise. Spare parts are produced anew, which makes it possible to return to the roads even those copies that were considered completely lost. The model's popularity in pop culture ensures that interest in preserving these cars continues.
⚠️ Attention: Statistics of preserved cars are approximate. Many cars may sit in garages for years without being listed on active club registries, or be registered in countries with less strict vehicle registration.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it true that exactly 9,212 cars were produced?
The figure 9212 often appears in official reports as the number of fully equipped cars ready for sale during the original company's period of operation. However, taking into account prototypes, cars built in 1983 and new releases in the 2000s, the total number of chassis produced is higher.
How many DeLoreans were in Back to the Future?
6 cars were used for filming the trilogy. Two of them were destroyed during filming, one "Hero Car" is kept in the Petersen Museum, and the rest were sold or dismantled. None of the on-screen cars are production cars in the truest sense of the word; they were all heavily modified for filming.
Is it possible to buy a new DeLorean DMC-12 today?
Yes, DMC in Houston periodically accepts orders to assemble new vehicles from inventory or remanufactured parts. However, the circulation is extremely limited and the wait may take several years. The cost of such a car significantly exceeds the price of the originals from the 80s.
Why do DeLorean VIN numbers sometimes not match the model year?
This is due to the fact that the numbering was not carried out strictly according to the calendar, but as it was assembled. A car built in January 1982 could have a VIN reserved back in 1981. Additionally, 1983 (Capstone) cars often used the old reserved numbers or the new numbering system.
The exact number of DeLorean DMC-12s produced is about 9,200 original units, but taking into account all modifications, prototypes and new assemblies, the total figure exceeds 9,500 cars.