2 Min History of the DeLorean

A brief history of the DeLorean-DMC 12.
Learn about the wild story behind one of the most recognizable cars of all time and the man behind the dream, John Z. DeLorean. Watch the full episode of Michael Borthwick's 1993 DeLorean DMC-12 on Auto Aficionado here: • Auto Aficionado - 1983...
Produced by N5 Pictures
#deloreantech #deloreanownersassociation #deloreandmc12 #deloreandmc12 #classiccars #backtothefuture #backtothe80s #timemachine #history #historiccar
Transcript:
John Zachary DeLorean was an automobile engineer, executive, and inventor. He was the youngest division head in General Motors history before starting the DeLorean Motor Company in 1973.
Through his career he managed the development of several historic cars such as the Pontiac GTO, Firebird, and Grand Prix.
The DeLorean that we all know began life as a prototype in the mid 70s which was then called the DeLorean Safety Vehicle. It was powered by the "PRV" V6 engine developed by Peugeot, (peuh-joh)
Renault , and Volvo.
Production delays meant the DeLorean did not reach consumers until January 1981 and in the mean time, the new car market had tanked due to the US economic recession.
When they eventually did get their hands on the car, both critics and the public complained that the price was too high and the horsepower too low compared with other sport coupes on the market.
After one year, the DeLorean had failed to recoup its $175 million investment costs. More than half of the cars that were produced remained unsold, and the company was in financial trouble.
To make matters worse, in October 1982, John DeLorean was charged with drug trafficking after an FBI informant solicited him as financier in a scheme to sell $24 million worth of cocaine.
But DeLorean was able to successfully defend himself under the defense of police entrapment. The trial ended in a not guilty verdict in August 1984, by which time DMC had declared bankruptcy and ended operations.
In 1999, the creator of perhaps one of the most famous movie cars of all time, declared personal bankruptcy after fighting some 40 legal cases following the collapse of DeLorean Motor Company.
He was forced to sell his 434-acre estate in Bedminster in 2000. It was bought by Donald Trump who converted it to a golf course.

[@lourdesantunes4969]

i got one of them cars made in Belfast. it is incredible, always magnificent, and always a conversation stopper. one of the greatest car designs EVER.

[@PetrolTV]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MikeyRB77]

Subscribed. You paid the De Lorean legacy and his family due respect.

[@PetrolTV]

Thanks for subscribing and for the kind words! It was a blast to make.

[@margiecisneros8311]

I have to say this video is very well structured and made, if you have absolutely zero interest in the car you can still happily watch through its entirety just cause of its chilled out nature

[@PetrolTV]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@timleonard2851]

Thank you for doing the DeLorean!!!

[@PetrolTV]

Our pleasure!

[@anlkarasu3469]

Superb video. Really interesting and so well researched. Thank you.

[@PetrolTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@pirachchattrathikul6212]

Tremendously good video, so full of information and archive footage. Really well done. ...

[@thegalleria4579]

agreed

[@KurtKleiner]

That was EXCELLENT, once again. Cleared up my doubts regarding the gold versions.

[@domenekbryant9683]

Checking myself into rehab, I have an addition to "Big Car" videos. Another great video sir!!

[@bukreberk5536]

Looking at the production line footage and the fashions of the time, the Delorean must have looked like something out of science fiction!

[@vikasparashar9755]

As always, a pleasure to watch your clips! D/A/G

[@PetrolTV]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@leofredo1180]

One of the most interesting and iconic cars ever made.

[@imanakeser2322]

A great video with lots of additional information and images I’ve never heard or seen before.

[@otherwiseitgetsthehoseagai9240]

I love your videos. Please keep on keeping on.

[@PetrolTV]

Glad you like them!

[@serdarozcelik4402]

Perfect, very much enjoyed this!

[@PetrolTV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tianabutler3143]

I have a 1982 DeLorean I use as one of my daily drivers. I restored tbe car myself and since I completed it almost 4 years ago I haven't had a single issue.

[@thegalleria4579]

That's crazy, nice ride for a daily

[@atlantageorgia2639]

Back in 2018 I went to a comic con in Calgary Alberta and a man brought his back to the future DeLorean

[@trevorbutler947]

This story never gets old. Thanks for sharing your take on the legend and legacy of DeLorean.

[@SuicideCookie012]

I got to drive around the original test track a few years ago in my 911 - with my Dad following in his 911 Turbo - a special moment.

[@talesoftheinvertedwomb8534]

You've added depth and context that I haven't seen in video before that really brings the whole story into focus! Thank you.

[@PetrolTV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@blubberducky2434]

Keep up the good work PetrolTV!

[@mariesoleilclv4485]

Great story telling with just the right amount of detail. Many channels could learn a lot from you.

[@PetrolTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@andreasmenger398]

bttf IS the greatest movie ever). awesome video, thanks!

[@PetrolTV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sara97294]

Stephen Wynn bought all the stored parts for DeLoreans, a warehouse full of them. He can make a brand new car with original DeLorean parts. Interesting man.

[@johnwisse8372]

very nice content and production quality

[@PetrolTV]

Much appreciated!

[@katrinafranceschi8473]

I love watching these videos! Coming from Belfast I can’t help wondering what if DMC survived? Would cars still be built here? A real shame.

[@weloveeric1368]

thanx 4 posting this, "Big Car"

[@simmionleon1163]

Good film, again. Thanks.

[@zappywin1937]

You rock PetrolTV!!

[@kristyloux5904]

Some wont get why or how but he is A LEGEND.

[@dangeloshea8977]

I've had 2 Triumph TR7's. A 1975 and a 1978. I only have the 1975 now, and I love it. Seems nobody in the USA has ever seen one.

[@haticeerkul7923]

fascinating character, and one of the coolest cars of all time (i know it's terrible, but i love it.

[@arlinebeumer2743]

I’ve learnt a lot from this video, thanks

[@osmanpot1705]

"The company was temporarily restructured pending a miracle" HA! I almost spit out my coffee laughing at that. Great line.

[@ihsangonul4381]

He pointed out the first generation Firebirds could be ordered with almost 400 dash variants. This greatly slowed production times because each part needed to be added individually.

[@SS-xi2gt]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[@2010danielg]

It's very interesting car and in my opinion it looks like taken out from the future. Very nice video! :)

[@PetrolTV]

Thanks a lot!

[@ahmetcandr8498]

good show! It'd be nice to see the story of the wonderful Hillman Imp. and another one on Facel Vega, the legendary french car company.

[@trishanewcomb964]

The original esprit giugiaro design was the 'purest' of them all. it still looks stunning.

[@MrBigdeano777]

He was a great guy. Cheers.

[@archibaldrivera9834]

keep up the good work

[@PetrolTV]

Thank you, will do!

[@RoonaGaucho]

John Z. Delorean was a victim of his own success at GM. He did very well by both Pontiac and Chevrolet but was a complete maverick when it came to the corporate lifestyle.

[@marygarciaseijo9834]

One of my favourite quotes about DeLorean was, "You knew the company was knackered when the owner was caught in n an hotel room with a mountain of coke that Alberto Tombs couldn't ski down!

[@rudytexxter1805]

Other GM executives were afraid it would make them seem cheap. They claimed luxury car buyers would demand the right to order what they wanted, the way they wanted it.

[@MalPalMiller23]

Nice little video. I proudly own serial number 4930. It has an aftermarket turbo to get the HP up to around 190 from the factory 130. Always attracts attention.

[@sayredemaio5947]

mike and edd wheeler dealers did one up.another great video big car thanks.

[@chlorophilxy1627]

These cars are better than most people will ever know and understand

[@birselsel6818]

Any years ago, I saw MR DELOREN, IN A KINGS SUPERMARKET , IN NJ, I had no idea that he shopped there, did NOT speak to him , just winked, he smiled , I was there working on some refrigeration there .

[@OglockGamesBR]

I saw DeLorean for the first time when I was a kid.

[@michaelschnabel1917]

I remember the Clan Clover was available with a grey leather interior, which was old stock from the DeLorean factory.

[@elizabethbeavers8856]

A surprising amount of the factory and test track remain, you'd certainly recognise it from the pictures in the video.

[@eighties4ever428]

God I love that car

[@morganspoetler9510]

Very interesting video.I've allways liked the delorean and watched a few programs on the dmc company its a shame really what happened I didn't know about the possible deal with BL that would of been good .

[@ugokittridge948]

I think that is interesting. I believe there are plans on bringing out a new Delorean or newer ones built on the spare parts that they have.

[@williekademan2190]

I'd say i've seen ever DeLorean documentary there is and for this video only being 16 mins, did an excellent job of getting this complicated story told!

[@jacaubrebolden7914]

Saw a Delorean at fully charge show. Converted over to electric. Very nice.

[@PetrolTV]

No way!

[@thorvadelmer2537]

I wasn't sure if I wanted to watch another DeLorean story, but damn if you didn't outdo all previous efforts.

[@PetrolTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@cjcarr9971]

That's the true story, nice job, I would just add that it was named DMC "12" because 12.000 $ should have been its price, originally.

[@alpha-male5613]

In Australia the Bolwell Nagari used the same Lotus inspired chassis (Campbell Bolwell had just come back from working at Lotus) .

[@carloscrosby6994]

I live around 25 miles away from the factory and I know if it had have still been in existence I would have been working there in some capacity.

[@PetrolTV]

That's awesome, thanks for watching!

[@cavecanem44]

I watched "Back to the Future" and from that moment I have dream to sit inside DeLorean.

[@isabelvega8754]

My daily commute is 164 miles a day thru 3 states for work and the DeLorean does this trip a few times a week.

[@osmanpekoz6472]

Looking at the crash test footage, I sure wouldn't want to be in a crash in one.

[@juanchiyuio7955]

Gotta give it to the guy, John Delorean lived quite the life...

[@PetrolTV]

Indeed.

[@mindylopa5469]

So... I used to build parts for one of the premier aftermarket suppliers of DeLorean auto parts in the US.

[@angrynerds8349]

Just watched the movie "Driven" on the plane home from Japan today, great movie if you want to see a re-enactment of the events of the drug sting background story!

[@daynakathleen9565]

Such a good looking car, but weight bias and underdone engine disappointing and that crash test looked horrendous. Another interesting Big Car vid.👍

[@bored8511]

Its a restomod but still using the same drivetrain which is a wondeful motor once you remove the emission system and the car can actually breathe and run so much better.

[@orrenhummer7189]

I know it has been done to death in various places, but nowhere in video form have I seen anything about the later stages of the car and its associated prototypes.

[@samkahyew2394]

The war in Northern Ireland was still very much going on at the time the car was built and would continue for years to come.

[@zachariahcaldwell8719]

Would be great to have old classics on the road with batteries in them.

[@thomasschneider4841]

In the end he showed how much they'd save per vehicle in production costs, and his argument won out.

[@Jayman-ne1uw]

Easily one of the best looking cars of all time

[@elitagravenor1080]

In September she along with many other DeLorean's will be driving across country.

[@franckynewton952]

Dealers didn't like the idea because many of the now factory added options had been dealer installed, at a serious mark-up.

[@brittanygamble5304]

I always thought the DMC-12 looked a lot like an Esprit in shape.

[@annabelwainright8612]

Have you thought about doing a Mini story?

[@PetrolTV]

Interesting, we're busy completing the rest of the episodes for season 1 of 'Auto Aficionado' however, you never know - a "mini story" is not out of the question for a future project/release. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@jairdias1549]

GM, when he was in charge of Pontiac, prided themselves on being able to make any car to fit any customer. Unfortunately this was highly inefficient for a mass production system.

[@rachelroman3285]

The Delorean test track is still in Belfast to this very day. Just hidden behind a private factory so not accessible to the public.

[@sharon6503]

Here in Detroit the people that used to work with him are still around.

[@cathyprentice1654]

A pity the Triumph TR8 deal never went through. It may have been an interesting car. Anyone know any further details on this?

[@itsmejeannie5221]

As John Wynn can make a new DeLorean, or put new engines into reconditioned cars, using the, smaller and lighter, 4 cylinder turbo charged engines we have these days must be an option.

[@aylinyelcan4009]

I use to own a silver Volvo 264 and my friends never believe me when I said it has the same engine as the DeLorean

[@psychodela10]

For me, its the most imperfect perfect sports car. She gets 28mpg, I use synthetic oil and add about 1200 miles a month. Its a great long distance driver also.

[@erdbeerbowling8292]

So he came out with package deals. X number of popular options, but at a lower price than if ordered individually.

[@user-in4hq2ko3c]

The UK government said it drew even on the deal, as they would have to pay unemployment to the factory workers, and support their families, if the factory was not built.

[@brianawelters7047]

I would think that even in war torn Ireland, there would have been people able and willing to do the work.

[@paulkerner4551]

for me the BMW's 70's 3.0 cs and csl from the 70's were the best ever looking and (powerful at the time) motors they ever made. but they rusted bad back then so not too many survive.

[@edmundorusso5210]

You rarely hear a kind word spoken about him in conversation.

[@carynkertisg3822]

He may have had the skills to save British Leyland considering one of their biggest issues was quality control 😅

[@lawsongonzales3165]

If I look carefully I might be able to find one of the leftover Girling slave cylinders with DMC stamped on it.

[@davedease437]

I have to wonder that if he had stayed there and risen to running the entire place that GM would have probably weathered the 70s and 80s far better than it did.

[@justineschaefer6981]

Would that car be remembered at all without Back to the Future?

[@PetrolTV]

Interesting, it definitely put it on the map that's for sure.

[@cristiansollors7002]

Increased design regulations, the ADRs, wound up small players like them, unfortunately.

[@petekbal9793]

Yes the future where we are going, we don't need ice we need joules of electricity.

[@wuspenncer8141]

Your video points out the fact that the dmc 12 was just a poor rehash of a lotus,with a sub standard and vastly underpowered engine.

[@mitchellhorner3898]

Fun fact: DeLorean was romanian and the name DeLorean comes from romanian name Delurean, wich means "from the hill" :)

[@leonorarudolf5255]

Unfortunately the owner of that business passed away last year after a battle with cancer.

[@stacymiller8830]

How did the FBI ever come to the conclusion that suggesting the crime and inviting DeLorean to participate was going to be anything but entrapment?

[@redpandagamerlp]

Through all the razzle dazzle of the films and myth and legend it was such a pity. The end product was a shadow of what it was ment to be.

[@tonydixon9310]

Thumbs up for anyone who can name the comedian. Lol!