DeLorean DMC-12

It is difficult to separate the DeLorean from the financial scandal that engulfed it. Promoted as an “ethical” sports car-safe and durable—it was the brainchild of former General Motors high-flier John Zachary DeLorean, and was bankrolled by the British government, which paid for a brand-new factory in Northern Ireland. Dubious business practices and unbridled extravagance were matched by unrealistic market expectations for the DeLorean. When sales-undermined by poor quality—failed to match the hype, the business crashed.

THE DELOREAN entered production in 1981, retaining the gull-wing doors and stainless-steel cladding of the prototype unveiled in 1977. Little else remained, as the car was completely redesigned by Lotus pre-production. Initial plans had been for a mid-mounted Wankel engine, but the final powerplant was a Renault V6 hung behind the rear axle. Despite this tail-heavy configuration, the car handled well. The British sports-car company ditched the DeLorean’s plastic body shell, which used a sandwich of fiberglass with a foam filling. It substituted this unproven technology with a traditional Lotus steel-backbone chassis and a two-piece, fiberglass body using its clever vacuum-assisted, injection-molding process. That the DeLorean made it to production in a new factory within a very short period is essentially due to Lotus; but the rush to launch the car meant that initial quality was atrocious. However, John Z. DeLorean’s dream car found an everlasting place in popular culture after it was cast as plutonium-powered, time-traveling transportation for Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future —the biggest-grossing movie release of 1985.

SPECIFICATIONS

 

Model	DeLorean DMC-12, 1981-82
Assembly	Dunmurry, Northern Ireland
Production	9,000 approx.
Construction	Steel-backbone chassis
Engine	2,849 cc, ohc V6
Power output	130 bhp at 5,500 rpm
Transmission	Five-speed manual
Suspension	All-independent coil
Brakes	All-round discs
Maximum speed	121 mph (195 km/h)

Founder’s logo

The symmetrical “DMC” logo was an abbreviation of “DeLorean Motor Company.” The model title was always DMC-12. John Z. DeLorean himself was associated with the development of several cars for GM’s Pontiac division.

Style over function

The gull-wing doors serve no good purpose-although DeLorean cited the safety benefits of the high sills. However, they look dramatic, as does the brushed stainless-steel body cladding. Both the doors and body cladding were seen as selling points, even though they added weight and complication. The rust-resistant steel cladding was chosen because the original “plastic-sandwich” body could not be painted satisfactorily-and it eliminated the need for paint.

THE EXTERIOR

The DeLorean’s appearance is dominated by the attention-grabbing gull-wing doors—insisted on by John Z. DeLorean for that very reason. The sharp-edged style is typical of designer Giorgetto Giugiaro’s 1970s output, during what has been termed his “folded paper” era. The rear engine facilitates the pencil-thin front end treatment. Whatever one’s feelings about the car—and about DeLorean himself—the effectiveness of its styling cannot be denied.

“DMC” stands for “DeLorean Motor Company”

Badging graphics typical of 1970s style

Headlights are U.S.-standard rectangular units

Door handles integrated into rubbing strip

Rear vent on right side provides fresh air intake to the engine

Alloy wheels are unique to the DeLorean

Slats are an impediment to rear vision

Taillight style only found on DMC-12

THE INTERIOR

Occupants in the cockpit are snugly sandwiched between the broad center tunnel—necessitated by the backbone chassis underneath—and the high sills demanded by the gull-wing doors. Thick front and rear pillars restrict vision, and early cars with all-black interiors can seem a bit claustrophobic; hence the use of gray trim on later cars. The two-door coupe did not have even token rear seats.

Doors held up by torsion bars and gas struts

Cockpit comfortable even for tall drivers

Seats always in leather; note luggage net behind

Despite initial plans, steering-wheel not fitted with airbag

Minor controls are straightforward

Instrumentation is similarly clear yet comprehensive

UNDER THE HOOD

The all-alloy V6 comes from France, and was shared with the Renault 30 and Peugeot 604, as well as the Volvo 264. In detuned, U.S. emissions-compliant form, power is only 130bhp, resulting in a 0-60 mph time of 10.5 seconds. This put the DeLorean at a considerable performance disadvantage against its competitor—the Porsche 91 ISC was barely more expensive, was lighter, and had a power output of 172 bhp. To improve matters, DeLorean planned a twin-turbo version, but this was never made.

Under-hood layout untidy by today’s standards

Air conditioning is standard equipment

Front fuel tank means filler under hood

 

It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011