DeLorean is back in production, and fans of Back to the Future could not be happier. The DeLorean DMC-12 will be made in America and will cost about $100,000 – but hurry because only 300 of the gull-winged doors sports car will be available.
Now that the DeLorean is back in production, will you be buying one? The world discovered and fell in love with the DeLorean DMC-12 in the 1980s after it was featured in the hit Back to the Future film trilogy.
The DeLorean DMC-12, aka the DeLorean, was the only model ever produced by DeLorean Motor Company owned by John DeLorean. It is believed about 6,500 DeLorean cars were made. The unique silver sports car, which was built for the American market from 1981 to 1983 came with gull-wing doors and an innovative fiberglass chassis and underbody structure, along with a brushed stainless steel body. More on the construction of the DeLorean DMC-12:
The body design of the DMC-12 was a product of Giorgetto Giugiaro of Ital Design and is panelled in brushed SS304 stainless steel. Except for three cars plated in 24-carat gold, all DMC-12s left the factory uncovered by paint or clearcoat.[16] Painted DeLoreans do exist, although these were all painted after the cars were purchased from the factory. Several hundred DMCs were produced without stainless panels, for training workers, and are referred to as “black cars” or “mules”, in reference to their black fiberglass panels instead of stainless, though these were never marketed. Small scratches in the stainless steel body panels can be removed with a non-metallic scouring pad (since metal pads can leave iron particles embedded in the stainless steel which can give the appearance of the stainless “rusting”), or even sandpaper. The stainless steel panels are fixed to a fiberglass, monocoque underbody. The underbody is affixed to a double-Y frame chassis, derived from the Lotus Esprit platform.
After Delorean Motor Company declared bankruptcy and John DeLorean, (the engineer, who designed the Pontiac GTO muscle car, the Pontiac Firebird, Pontiac Grand Prix, and Chevrolet Vega), faced countless legal issues, the DeLorean DMC-12 vanished – that is until 1995 when Stephen Wynne bought the rights to the vehicle.
Recently, the Obama administration approved a “low volume manufacturing bill” making it possible for the production of the DeLorean to begin. CEO Stephen Wynne explained that he is thrilled by the news, and added:
“It’s fantastic! It is a game changer for us. We’ve been wanting this to happen. It’s huge for us. It means we’re back as a car company again.”
The cars will be made at the Delorean Motor Company in Humble, Texas and they will be replicas of the famous 1982 DeLorean. Wynne, a mechanic, who has specialized in DMC, estimates he has enough supplies in stock to build about 300 cars. He hopes to go from building one a month to one a week.
The British entrepreneur believes that the first car will be completed in early 2017 and will cost about $100,000 – the price tag will depend on what modern engine he selects.
As you wait for the production of a new DeLorean, you can buy a refurbished model for $45,000 to $55,000.
What are your thoughts on the return of the Back to the Future car?
