The DeLorean, commonly known as the DMC, has a unique and fascinating story. Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, the company manufactured its only model, the DMC-12, in Dunmurry near Belfast, Northern Ireland, under financing from the British Government, for the American market. The company survived for about eight years (1975-83) and produced a car for just two (1981-82) before going bankrupt. Several factors contributed to its closure, the chief among them being the early 80s recession and the lack of skilled manpower leading to quality problems. This article, however, is devoted to the iconic DMC-12.
The Iconic DMC-12
Designed by the famous Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign, the DMC-12 was absolutely futuristic in appearance. Reflecting on memorable cars from the late 70s and 80s, only a few standout—among them, the Lamborghini Countach and the Toyota Celica Supra. The DMC-12 holds its place in this elite list.
Though not the first, the DMC-12 is probably the best-known car with stainless steel body panels until the arrival of the Cybertruck 40 years later. Think about it – every DMC-12 left the factory without a coat of paint. Of the approximately 9,000 cars produced, it is estimated that 6,500 still survive, mostly rust-free due to the stainless steel. Interestingly, most current owners clean their cars with the same supplies used for steel appliances.
Distinctive Design Features
Gull-wing doors were perhaps the most distinctive design feature of the DMC-12. Over the last 80 years, very few cars have made it to production with such doors. Notable examples include the Mercedes Benz 300SL, the Bricklin SV-1, the DMC-12, and the Tesla Model X. When the DMC-12 was launched, it was the only production car in the world with such doors, offering a sense of exclusivity. The Tesla Model X came into being more than 30 years later.
This door design has always fascinated designers. Though many have tried, only a few have achieved success. For instance, the Tesla Model X faced several launch delays due to this design alone. DeLorean made several innovations to solve some of the challenges inherent to such doors by working with the American aircraft manufacturer Grumman Aircraft. Many sports cars offer upward-swinging or “Scissor” doors, but few have ventured into incorporating the gull-wing design, making DeLorean’s bold thinking noteworthy.
Another innovative design feature was hidden under the body. The DMC-12 used a backbone-type chassis with Y frames at both ends. This design kept the car light, offsetting some challenges from its underpowered engine.
Challenges and Legacy
Sadly, the design innovations weren’t enough to keep the company afloat. Plagued by several challenges, the company shut its doors in late 1982. It was a heartbreaking moment for the millions who loved the car. Building cars is hard—very hard. Making a good car is exceptionally hard. DMC hit that reality when mass production started and couldn’t overcome it.
The “Back to the Future” movie trilogy reignited interest in the DMC-12. The futuristic-looking car was perhaps the most suited to be featured as a time machine. The car had a short production run focused on the American market, so it was barely seen by people outside the US. The movie showed it to the world, generating tremendous interest globally. Since then, there have been several attempts at reviving it, the most notable being the DeLorean Motor Company in Texas, which provides parts and services to DMC owners.
To me, the DMC-12 is an example of human ingenuity. It represents a remarkable attempt to build something unique and unprecedented, capable of turning heads even today, 40 years after production ceased. In the history of automobiles, few designs evoke as much emotion as the DMC. I wish the car had survived much longer.
Those who have built companies or run startups can relate to the challenges DeLorean faced—the changes and compromises they had to make along the way, resulting in a finished product different from what was envisioned. For example, DeLorean went through multiple engine choices before settling on the Peugeot-Renault-Volvo (PRV) fuel-injected V6. The engine was underpowered and required placement in the rear, compromising the power output and sports car handling characteristics—fundamentals of the car’s vision. Every startup aspires to catch up to the original vision as the business grows, but this is also the most critical time in their lifecycle. Sadly, DeLorean couldn’t survive this phase.
A New Chapter
That said, the DeLorean DMC brand has been revived. I am excitedly looking forward to the launch of their Alpha EV, a car very different from the DMC-12. Time will tell how it competes with the new generation of EV manufacturers.
