The DeLorean, formally known as the DMC DeLorean or DMC-12, is a rear-engine sports car manufactured by the DeLorean Motor Company (DMC) from 1981 to 1983. Founded by John DeLorean in 1975, DMC produced this single model at a factory in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland. The car is easily recognized by its gull-wing doors and brushed stainless-steel body panels. Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign penned the DeLorean's distinctive body. The stainless-steel panels are affixed to a fiberglass underbody. While the stainless steel was unpainted from the factory, some owners had their cars painted aftermarket. Approximately 9,000 DeLoreans were produced before the company faced financial difficulties and ceased production.
The DeLorean was powered by a 2.85L V6 PRV engine, producing 130 hp, and had a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. It featured power-assisted disc brakes on all wheels. Although the DeLorean had a waiting list of buyers prior to its release, the original list price of $25,000 (equivalent to approximately $89,000 in 2025) was considered prohibitive for many. Today, the price of a used DeLorean varies widely depending on condition, mileage, and modifications. Generally, well-maintained models range from $30,000 to $60,000, while pristine examples can exceed $100,000. The DeLorean gained significant cultural recognition for its role as the time machine in the Back to the Future film trilogy.
In 1995, Stephen Wynne founded a new company called DeLorean Motor Company (Texas) that acquired the remaining parts inventory and specializes in restoring and selling pre-owned DeLoreans. More recently, the company has announced plans for a new electric vehicle, the Alpha5, with reservations opening using cryptocurrency.
