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| DeLorean DMC-12 | |
|---|---|
| Name | DeLorean DMC-12 |
| Manufacturer | DeLorean Motor Company |
| Production | 1981–1983 |
| Assembly | Dunmurry, Northern Ireland |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door coupe |
| Layout | Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Designer | Giorgetto Giugiaro |
DeLorean DMC-12 The DeLorean DMC-12 is a sports car produced by DeLorean Motor Company between 1981 and 1983, noted for its stainless steel body, gull-wing doors, and association with Back to the Future. Conceived under the direction of John DeLorean, the car combined design work by Italdesign founder Giorgetto Giugiaro with engineering influenced by suppliers and contractors across Europe, Japan, and Northern Ireland. The vehicle became an icon of 1980s pop culture and industrial controversy following the collapse of its manufacturer and the high-profile legal troubles of its founder.
Development began after John DeLorean left General Motors to form DeLorean Motor Company in 1975, aiming to create an innovative sports car that could compete with models from Porsche, Ferrari, and BMW. Early investor negotiations involved interests from Northern Ireland Executive and economic development agencies seeking industrial jobs amid the Troubles, leading to a planned factory in Dunmurry. Design commissions were awarded to Italdesign and Giugiaro, while engineering partnerships included firms such as Lotus Cars, Peugeot, Renault, and Vauxhall. Financial backing drew on a mix of private investors, loan guarantees, and government incentives tied to United Kingdom industrial policy and regional development programs.
The exterior styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro emphasized angular lines, a brushed stainless steel finish, and gull-wing doors inspired by earlier concepts like the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and designs from Alfa Romeo. The chassis used a fiberglass undertray with a steel backbone and a body assembled from 49 raw stainless panels, supplied and processed by subcontractors including Howmet and Multi-Matic-era suppliers. Interior components incorporated switches and fixtures sourced from Vauxhall, Renault, and other European manufacturers, reflecting the supply-chain strategies of contemporary automakers. Aerodynamic and structural input came from consultants associated with Lotus and engineers who had worked on prototypes for MG and Triumph projects.
Manufacturing commenced at a newly built plant in Dunmurry, with assembly processes combining hand-built techniques and semi-automated jigs common to niche manufacturers such as Aston Martin and De Tomaso. The production line relied on parts imported from Japan and Europe, including engines and transmissions from Peugeot and accessory components from suppliers that had worked with Ford and General Motors subsidiaries. Workforce recruitment and training were influenced by regional employment initiatives and blacksmithing and sheet-metal practices preserved in local trades; however, quality control challenges mirrored those encountered by small-volume producers like TVR. Mounting financial pressures, supply delays, and labor disputes contributed to fluctuating output rates until production ceased after the company's bankruptcy proceedings sparked involvement from receivers and administrators.
Power came from a 2.85 L V6 developed collaboratively by Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo engineers, mounted transversely in a rear mid-engine configuration similar to layouts used by Matra and some Alpine models. Transmission options included a 5-speed manual and a 3-speed automatic supplied through agreements with European gear manufacturers involved with Citroën and Peugeot programs. Performance figures placed the car in the sports coupe category with 0–60 mph times influenced by weight and gearing, comparable in period terms to offerings from Datsun and entry-level Porsche 911 variants rather than high-end supercars. Handling characteristics reflected suspension geometry informed by consultancy from Lotus engineers and ride tuning sympathetic to British sports car traditions.
Initial reception at auto shows in North America and Europe blended admiration for the stainless steel finish and gull-wing doors with criticism over fit-and-finish and underwhelming performance relative to expectations set by John DeLorean’s marketing. Sales were affected by the global recession of the early 1980s, credit tightening influenced by policies at institutions like the Bank of England and the Federal Reserve, and by competition from established marques such as Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Publicity surrounding the 1982 arrest of John DeLorean and subsequent legal proceedings further depressed demand, while government scrutiny and bankruptcy filings ultimately halted production and led to liquidation processes involving creditors and asset purchasers.
The car achieved enduring fame after being modified as a time machine in Back to the Future, directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Amblin Entertainment, cementing associations with Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. Its image appears in museums and private collections such as Petersen Automotive Museum, alongside displays on 1980s design and industrial history at institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum and Ulster Museum. Scholarly and journalistic retrospectives have examined themes involving industrial policy, celebrity entrepreneurship, and criminal justice linked to DeLorean’s trial in Los Angeles. Enthusiast communities, clubs, and a revived company using the DeLorean name have worked on restoration, parts reproduction, and certification programs impacting historic vehicle registries and collector markets.
A limited number of prototypes and pre-production show cars were produced for auto shows in Detroit, Geneva, and London, some fitted with experimental interiors and trim options similar to bespoke packages offered by coachbuilders like Pininfarina. Aftermarket tuners and restoration firms created modified variants with performance upgrades inspired by Lotus tuning practices and cosmetic treatments evoking concepts from Italdesign. Commemorative replicas and licensed reproductions associated with film promotion have become part of the secondary market; entities involved in producing licensed movie cars included studios and fabrication shops linked to Universal Pictures and independent prop houses. Contemporary special editions offered by successor organizations focus on certified restorations, parts availability, and anniversary models presented at automobile gatherings such as Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Category:Sports cars Category:1980s automobiles Category:Automobiles introduced in 1981