MotorWeek | Retro Review: '81 DeLorean DMC-12

McFly!

[@rodneyws1977]

A rare chance to see a review of this car PRE Back to the Future.

[@hondamanvtec2894]

Rodney Smith nothing is pre back to the future

[@samuelseager6785]

That's exactly why I wanted to watch it.

[@naxzed_it]

@@hondamanvtec2894 This is made isn 1981 but ok

[@303nitzubishi4]

Not too rare, these were pretty well publicised and documented before the film came out. The scenes in the movie where the car stalls and acts up were part of this publicity since they were notoriously unreliable cars.

[@de-fault_de-fault]

@@303nitzubishi4 yeah but getting it to 88mph in the confines of a mall parking lot was a lot less plausible

[@hoopenhanger]

I worked for the De Lorean Motor Company in Ireland where we built the cars. I loved it. I was bitterly disappointed when the plant closed.

[@silverwings11035]

Im sure you were, it gave alot of people jobs and stuff and John tried to help with the conflicts and economy! Awsome you were a part of history i drive!

[@hoopenhanger]

+Christian Dietrich Despite what the media might say about him we had great respect for John De Lorean. De Lorean thought nothing of coming down to the factory floor and engaging us in conversation about our assignments. It was the American way and it worked.

[@silverwings11035]

+hoopenhanger I met John back in 2000 at a DMC event in Ohio. Great man and very tall! He was a joy to talk to and just a friendly guy! Im very good friends with his daughter Katherine on Facebook and chat with her quit a bit! Your a lucky man to be apart of history. Also goid friends with Barrie Wills aswell!

[@hoopenhanger]

+Christian Dietrich Tell his daughter that we'll be forever grateful to her dad for creating jobs for us. Those of us fortunate enough to work there will never forget De Lorean.

[@silverwings11035]

+hoopenhanger Oh she knows my friend! She has accepted all of us owners as family and she knows how much all of us have looked up to her father for what he did and for what he created!

[@MrMcKane]

Back To The Future would have been the biggest advertising plug in automotive history...had Delorean Motor Company lasted until 1985.

[@justinanderson8758]

Martin scores easy or 83

[@justinpino8115]

+MRT I hate that movie but like the car. I wish people would shut up about the movie

[@corvetcoyote443]

not really,that movie had a vw van keeping on its tail in the mall chase scene.

[@anthonyab1984]

Or ‘55

[@RoadCone411]

They picked the car because it was unusual, and just as importantly, looked ahead of its time. It became part of the movie. They couldn’t have done that with, say, a Monte Carlo from the same era...

[@BrilloBush]

"Very limited visibility in all directions".. in 1981, it was probably still far better than most modern vehicles.

[@Beaula2]

Defnintly better than the current generation Camaro lol

[@seatwarmer]

My father too me as a 7 yo boy to see Back to the Future, opening night... In his recently purchased used DMC-12! I will never forget people's faces as we left the theater! He passed away many years ago now, but I still have this car! Most cherished item from his inheritance!

[@MistahJigglah]

Power move

[@djmhyde]

it's really interesting watch a real review of the car, looking at it just as a car, and not a hollywood star (since the BTTF movie didn't exist at the time of the video)

[@NeighborhoodCarReviews]

And the cars were out of production and the plant closed when the movie first came out!

[@silverwings11035]

djmhyde You know I dont have 1 single BTTF reference on my 82 DeLorean. I do have the BTTF 2 hat that changes color but my son always wears that. In my car club, my partner has some BTTF stuff in his car and its pretty cool but to me, I look at it as a awsome 80's car that I daily drive. I treat it as the collector car that it is but drive it alot because well, why not. Check us out at TriStateDeLorean.com. Im vin 11035

[@mcearl8073]

Christian Dietrich I'm glad you drive it, it's a collectors car but considering you can still buy brand new parts (and new cars) there's no reason to let it sit. I wouldn't put any BTtf stuff on mine if I had one either unless it was something small inside. I love the movie and I love the car but I don't love the car because of the movie so I don't really like when people make theirs look like a prop car, the ones that do everything exactly like the movie are pretty good but I've seen some half hearted attempts and that ruins the car.

[@dchawk81]

I'd put a Marty McFly bobblehead on the dash.

[@whewfan]

John Davis is so much more reserved in his delivery in the early Motorweeks.

[@roddydykes7053]

Yeah really strange, like it’s his first time narrating

[@Kgio-2112]

@@roddydykes7053 I like his subdued delivery. He got into the sales pitch voice later on

[@dave29339]

If you think he's reserved here you should check out the unaired pilot episode.

[@wickedhouston5538]

too bad he never lost weight. he is really suffering now that hes old and fat

[@624radicalham]

@@wickedhouston5538 And how exactly is he suffering? Enlighten us

[@sammc6538]

You could fit all of Northern Ireland in that wheel gap.

[@weallfollowmanutd]

Lol epic comment!

[@ODSTOninersIxTwO]

add 200lbs to the front to fix that

[@rars0n]

@Take the red pill No, the car in non-US markets had a proper fender gap, the reason the US cars look like that is because at stock height they sat too low to meet the then current front bumper height requirements, so they had to raise the front end up.

[@insaneconqueror5421]

@Roger Dodger thank God lol

[@rickreid81]

This car still looks fast & cool just standing still. I think its one of the greatest cars ever built. There is only 1 DeLorean.

[@dennismichealsm3786]

Fast? I get cool cause I'm of the doors but fast?

[@Hyperlink1337]

one of the greatest cars? lol. lmao. LMFAOOOOOOOOOO

[@monsterattack712]

@@dennismichealsm3786 Read it again, LOOKS fast...

[@monsterattack712]

@@Hyperlink1337 Commenting on something someone said over a year ago = 🤣🤣

[@silverwings11035]

​@@dennismichealsm3786 yeah it was quick for what it was but in 1981 what was fast? The DeLorean was 1.4 seconds slower than a Corvette in 1981. If the twin turbo version made it to market it would have been a different story. I added a bunch of bolt on performance parts to my DeLorean's engine and she runs strong, pulls very well and been to 122mph no problem plus she is a reliable daily drive I go everywhere in! I dont need 300 or 400 hp to have fun in a car. People that think they need that have a self conscious issue.

[@mattdavis9601]

A few years ago Car and Driver tested various movie prop cars. One of which was the DeLorean from 'BTTF'. In their testing, the car laden down with all the "time machine" parts wasn't actually capable of doing 88MPH. IIRC; it topped out at 86MPH.

[@GordonJones88]

That is why it needs the Flux Capacitor.

[@JacobFrey]

One of the best looking cars ever created, in my opinion. Too bad the American market wrecked the ride height and wheel gap. I have seen 2 or 3 cars in person and I was in awe.

[@GeekTherapyRadio]

+Jacob Frey The EPA also strangled the motor. Shame. Luckily all those things can be easily undone. Ride lowered to correct spec and motor brought up to 200hp with a new cam and exhaust.

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

without the movies, the Delorean would be like other cars you never knew existed.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

I remember that car very well when it first hit the Chicago auto show back then! In 1982 that car, was way ahead of its time! And still looks good today!😎👍

[@ericfitzgerald9139]

I was born in ‘86 and I still can’t imagine how cool it would have been to be seen in one back in 1981!

[@aquateen77723]

Great Scott!! Still looks futuristic to this day.

[@lfsracer79]

1:53 That's really not a good place for a gas filler. I wonder how many people have spilled gas on their luggage.

[@kevinwoodard6571]

If you think that's bad, look at the front-engine, front-drive Renault LeCar. It's fuel tank is "squeezed" between the rear door, rear wheel, and tail end.

[@nlpnt]

VW Beetles were like that up through 1967, in '68 they put in a separate gas flap.

[@Bimmer_Bob]

Both buyers did.

[@FRITZI999]

I own a DeLorean... never spilled Gas on my Luggage.... to stupid to fill up Gas? Ask for help or give back your Drivers License ;-)

[@HollywoodF1]

@@Bimmer_Bob 9000 cars altogether.

[@anglia24]

The DeLorean is my unicorn. Loved and admired from a far but never touched.

[@ExiledWolf84]

I always wondered what other models we could have seen if DMC has survived.

[@WSNO]

Sedan, station wagon, pickup truck, compact hatchback, luxury sedan & coupé, touring car, V8, utility vehicles, limo, convertible, etc, etc...

[@jackdough8164]

@@WSNO maybe a diesel electric locomotive as well!

[@quentinwooten30]

Zero to 60 in ten seconds.....GREAT SCOTT!!!!

[@johnwjeromejr]

It will still smoke a Smart ForTwo and a Mitsubishi Mirage.

[@punchy207]

@@johnwjeromejr you could smoke those on foot

[@Smarzie7769]

Still, respectable for 81. Consider the Pontiac 1000; 0-60 in 20 seconds. Over a quarter of a minute to reach 60 😅

[@Smarzie7769]

​@@punchy207😂 I literally spit my coffee everywhere when I saw this 😆🤣

[@steveespinola7652]

Great Scott!! This car still looks good to this day.

[@trekzilladmc]

I agree. I don't think it looks dated much for a 40-year-old car like some others do.

[@realazduffman]

No mention of Flux Capacitor as dealer installed option?

[@tonidmc]

1981...the stupid bttf jokes were not available

[@thetreblerebel]

ALL THE GAUGES!! A Motorweek must have to be considered good!

[@landyachtfan79]

If my calculations are correct........when this Retro Review hits 88 likes..........you're gonna see some serious s***!!!!!!!!

[@Motorweek]

Niiiiice

[@xsbgtr]

+landyachtfan79 It just hit 329... What happened???

[@Arduex2020]

😂😂😂😂

[@landyachtfan79]

And........that means........what, exactly?!!!!!!

[@zekedogthedog1306]

Sweet. Thats gonna keep me chucklin' all day... lol. V funny.

[@joshthemediocre7824]

I'm glad Motorweek liked the DeLorean, it makes me feel better about loving them. I see one just about every week because i also happen to be a BTTF junkie. The trilogy are my comfort movies.

[@pbfloyd13]

My dream car would be a DeLorean with an engine swap to an Esprit's turbo 4, lowered suspension, and a gun metal grey wrap.

[@pbfloyd13]

***** i'd like the V8, if its transmission wasn't made of glass...

[@pbfloyd13]

***** The Esprit's twin turbo V8 could have made 500+ bhp but the Renault gearbox was the only tranny that would fit in the chassis. So they had to develop a special clutch and de-tune the engine down to 350 bhp to keep the gears from being blown to bits.

[@pbfloyd13]

***** It didn't work (at least not well).

[@hoopenhanger]

+Pontiac Ride It was a combination of Renault, Peugeot, Volvo.

[@IanDunbar1]

@@pbfloyd13 There was, IIRC, one factory twin turbo prototype right? What transmission did that use?

[@Kingsoupturbo]

Lowered in person these cars look quite exotic, hard to tell from the video!

[@GT6SuzukaTimeTrials]

Raise the hood to fuel up?! Awesome. Reminds me of my Miata in that I have to open the trunk with my key to pull the fuel door release. Yes, I'm paranoid of people breaking in, popping the fuel door and filling it with sugar, so I removed the release lever.

[@silverwings11035]

The early version had a gas flap Hood with a lockable gas cap and that was about till mid 1981

[@thenormalyears]

You either have enemies or a mental illness

[@w.s.soapcompany94]

Damn!! Were tolls a dollar 25 in 1981!!!

[@granvillefriel4469]

Good car but the main problem was it snorted all the white lines off the road

[@HollywoodF1]

Did you make that up yourself? Wait... no, not even close. Oh well. Being unoriginal is your curse, not mine.

[@FraggleRagaraga]

@@HollywoodF1 is a joke my dude. We can tell jokes here.

[@mikeypops73]

Something of a phenomenon.

[@adamtrombino106]

My business partner got an 82 5 speed as a trade on some work he had done for a customer. We never could get the EFI to work right and run the car further than around the block. Luckily he sat on it and sold it after Back to the Future 3 came out, for $9000.00! Unreal!

[@andylee237]

Throwing money out the window...

[@muffdiver777yummy8]

exactly what ole deloreon did when he decided he was gunna power it with that v6

[@GeekTherapyRadio]

@@muffdiver777yummy8 He didn't want the PRV V6, it came down to budget. He wanted, and tested, much, MUCH more powerful engines and he HATED that they had to go with the PRV.

[@Ithinkiwill66]

I didn't remember if John said what the gas mileage was....must of been like throwing money out the window!

[@GeekTherapyRadio]

Ithinkiwill66 They get about 30 highway.

[@zohaib876]

I am from the future year 2099 & this car is still relevant & beautiful @ this time. That's heavy doc!

[@backbreaker127]

The DeLorean was certainly far from perfect but we need to understand that GM played an underhanded role in the company's demise as well. They were pissed about all the headaches and problems that John DeLorean caused them when he was a top executive at GM by exposing widespread corporate incompetence and corruption, especially with respect to the production and sale of unsafe cars such as the Chevrolet Corvair. They, of course, never forgave him when he left GM to start his own company and worked in any covert manner that they could to help bring about the DeLorean Motor Company's ultimate demise. I'm not saying that DMC *wouldn't* have gone under without a "helping hand" from General Motors but their cloaked efforts certainly helped.

[@yourcaseworker6916]

I've heard that when it hits 88 mph... *You'll see some serious shit!*

[@Acc0rd79]

From my favorite movie EVER!!! I would buy one of these today as a toy in a heartbeat, I love it:)

[@dodgeguyz]

Love the looks of the car, but the front end looks like it needs to be dropped 3 inches. There was a company that used to do a 351 Ford swap! I don't remember if it was a Windsor or Cleveland, but it had to be a bad ass swap!!!! Always will love this car.

[@Nico-rr5co]

Before I die I will own a DeLorean! Missed my chance in 2006 but I will get one.

[@Beaula2]

Hello, and welcome to MotorWeek 81' we're glad to have you with us, I'm BobbleHead John Davis

[@frankwhite9541]

You can tell this is the beginning of the series- lofl- Mr Davis was a real "cutie pie" with the overactive, cutie pie head movements/gestures. Like most, he eventually mellowed it together as this very good show matured

[@mysock351C]

I remember when I first saw one of these as a toddler after the movie I thought they actually had flux capacitors in them and could travel thru time. Ah, the memories.

[@bghoody5665]

0-60 in ten seconds? Geeze Louise, it must have taken forever for Marty to get it up to 88.

[@willnzsurf]

Back To Motor Week's Future

[@blairbrown4812]

How little could John himself have known that he would 1 day be in the presence of greatness...😮

[@kevinwoodard6571]

I saw a DeLorean at a car show in July 2011. It was a silver one.

[@RallyLancer95]

+Kevin Woodard They're all finished in aluminum

[@ziginox]

+Tim Beck Stainless steel*

[@RallyLancer95]

+kasm279 Smelted down diamonds*

[@djmhyde]

+Kevin Woodard 98% of them are silver

[@rgallen6782]

djmhyde The remaining 2% were available in red.

[@Srd1126]

If the speedometer only goes to 85, how can you tell when you hit 88? (note: go watch the film and see the made-up speedo!)

[@koekje00005]

+Srd1126 The speedometer in BTTF isn't fake. The early DeLoreans had to follow a law saying their speedometers could only go up to 85. Other car companies had to follow this as well. DeLoreans made in 1982-83 do have the right speedometers that go up to 145mph, IIRC.

[@silverwings11035]

+koekje00005 Sorry but you are incorrect. All DeLorean's have a 85mph speedo. The was a option not offered by the factory but from the old DELOREAN 1 company that was formed after the company closed did make a 145mph calibrated speedometer you could buy. DELOREAN was the company that did repairs and restoration on DeLorean's back then, now there are several facilities in the United States that take care of that. You can get from the "New" DeLorean Motor Company a 140mph speedo and that what i put in my car a few months ago. The speedo in BTTF was made just for the movie with the speedo starting off at 15mph instead of the original 5mph like mine used to have but no, they never left Dunmurry like that, unless it was a Euro spec gauge in kilometers but that was totally different altogether.

[@75aces97]

That was common at the time. Even Porsche and Ferrari speedos only went up to 85 or so in those days to discourage drivers from going over 100.

[@fordtechchris]

Using a fake speedo would allow them to film it at much slower speeds as well.

[@chrisjamesr77]

You'll know, because you'll see some serious shit.

[@Kgio-2112]

Johns voice was so subdued in the early episodes. Early 90s he sounds like a radio spot announcer

[@Spheredalai]

i have a friend whose granpa/dad works in the assembly line for DMC building DeLoreans. gotta say I'm kinda jealous of him

[@ENDTIMEsVideoLibrary]

I don't know if you all caught that, but that was actually the REAL John Delorean throwing his money out the window!!

[@DavidWilliams-zr5ew]

It’s interesting to see how the different stainless panels have a different color to them

[@mbox314]

I was born after this car came out so my feelings are influenced by back to the future but this car is very good looking. DeLorean had alot of really good ideas and I wish his company worked out.

[@Zilla__man]

It's very refreshing that there's no goddamn fucking back to the Future jokes

[@robertmitchell2142]

I remember when these were new, we looked at them in the dealership but didn't buy. Also if it were for Back to The Future movies, they would be just another car.

[@notpurple]

Thanks so much for posting these!

[@alvilla701]

If I had the money I'll get one and fully upgrade it with the best new technology (suspension, breaking, power etc) although I'll very happy if I just have a regular one

[@yittmashups]

DeLorean Motor Company actually planned to do that to produce new DeLoreans with all new tech/parts (including 350 hp engine) in 2016 but wasn't able to because of some issues waiting for a Low Volume Manufacturer law to be implemented/regulated allowing them to produce them to sell, something that was halted for all this time since, but positive steps have been reached in that, so they're still planning on doing it, but looks like it will be at least a year from now (2020) before it might become a reality.

[@dhoffnun]

What odd styling. It has the stance and silhouette of an exotic sports car, but the details and trim styling of a base model economy compact. It's like someone took an Escort or something similar, squished it, and stretched it. It certainly has that 80's VHS charm, though.

[@briankehew579]

Impossible to do a drive-thru food service in this with those little horizontal windows, and you couldn't open the gull wing doors either!

[@boydduckett9240]

I have done it. You open the door but only let it swing about half way up, then drop the food down through the (then) near horizontal window opening. It isn't easy but can be done.

[@deloreanman14]

Gullwing doors actually require less side clearance than traditional doors...as little as 10 inches, to be exact.

[@GeekTherapyRadio]

What? I do it all the time in mine. The door opens just fine and makes getting your food extremely easy. Gullwings require much less clearance than traditional doors.

[@AlexBrooks1988]

You can to open the doors at drive up. I used to do it all the time in high school w my delorean.

[@RoadCone411]

Just wait for the fast food workers to bring you the food outside...they are going to want to see a DeLorean, aren't they?

[@marinoint]

Was that John Davis?! No way! I've never seen him this young, and his voice was different too!

[@LearnAboutFlow]

It's so ironic the awful Cybertruck has a similar exoskeleton but, due to its 'advanced' composition, WILL get scratches that cannot be buffed out. Amazing how backwards we've gone in a lot of ways.

[@caddieguy6510]

Imagine this car powered by one of GM’s Freedom V8’s. Maybe a 301 Turbo Pontiac engine. This car would have moved in the American market.

[@Jacksonkellyfreak]

I can't drive my DeLorean without getting the sniffles. And for some reason I have a hell of a lot of energy when I get out. Sniff.

[@robertnewman4854]

I totally feel you. I picked up my Stage 2, 81' about a year ago now, and out of all the cars I've driven, it is the only one that always brings a smile to my face. As trite as it may sound, it really does deliver more "smiles-per-gallon" than any other car.

[@silverwings11035]

Robert Newman I agree! I have a DPI Spec 1 mod with other goodies and love the way the PRV sings! I basically daily mine after I restored it with alot of modern updates. Its a great reliable car.

[@castlewhore2007]

lol 😂 “cocaine is a hell of a drug”

[@roddydykes7053]

Jacksonkellyfreak all I get is the dissatisfaction with life and a numb throat, mine must be the badly cut model

[@crashstitches79]

0-60 in 10 seconds? How the hell did it even get to 88 mph?

[@packardcaribien]

+crashstitches79 In the 80s, that was actually a somewhat respectable acceleration figure. It was mostly turbo or V8 performance cars that could get to 60 under 10 seconds. Family cars, especially compacts, were often in the 15-20 second range in 1981.

[@heckin_jordy]

The DeLorean in Back to the Future (part one, anyways), believe it or not, was fitted with an engine out of a Porsche. I'm sure some movie magic also went along with it lol

[@esoteric1213]

crashstitches79 you do realize 88 is after 60 right?

[@ALR74]

One would need a Flux Capaciter to get to 88mph.

[@GeekTherapyRadio]

No it wasn't. It had the stock motor. Sound design replaced the engine noise with a Porsche's.

[@Hiee605]

one of my favourite cars

[@jamesfrench7299]

They look really good painted.

[@justinb954]

James Frenchi want to see a white one.

[@kentkirkpatrick7953]

Wow. One that actually runs?! Remarkable.

[@mLi75]

"there's not much else to fault??'

[@Thinker669]

03:27 You don't necessarily need bigger tires on the rear, but it helps.

[@kriswingert1662]

Actually, it does. Due to where the engine is, the bigger wheels were needed to keep it from fishtailing around corners. Not alot of weight in the front of a DeLorean. It was originally designed as a mid-engine car.

[@sutherlandA1]

3:49 Nose cone above the grille is either warped or dented

[@AA-BB]

Interior still looks nicer than a modern day Ford

[@briteidea08]

Love these retro review's. Love seeing the old Bonita avenue.

[@justinb954]

the best thing about you tube!!

[@kpk33x]

I recognized it too! I would have liked to see them take that little jump that would drop your stomach just north of the Colts facility.

[@briteidea08]

@@kpk33x I don't remember specific sections. Just remember my sister and folks calling it the whoopty doo road. This was late 70's early 80's. I was about 3 at the time. Occasionally would be scared lol.

[@briteidea08]

@@kpk33x We lived in Morningside heights. If you went to certain buildings. You could see the Colts facility.

[@kpk33x]

@@briteidea08 we went thru Bonita Ave to Reisterstown Road to skip lights going to Randallstown where my grandparents lived (prior to 795). Trip used to take 25 minutes now its like 10

[@BenJabituya]

I wish this car came with the Flux Capacitor and Mr. Fusion.

[@Doobie1975]

I was never aware that these cars were available with automatic transmission.

[@justinb954]

heresy but yes.Doobie1975

[@man_on_wheelz]

"Very limited visibility in all directions" soooo it's a tank?

[@Turshin]

Where's my 89 tbird supercoupe episode

[@fernesal]

I wonder if gas smell went inside thru air vents.🤔

[@GeekTherapyRadio]

If you spill, yes. I own one. If you don't spill, there's no smell.

[@williamfairchild8119]

My buddy and I had used car dealerships. He had a side business of buying cars of the street some junk. He said a guy called him and said he wanted to get rid of a renault. It was a delorian and had a renault engine so the guy was saying it was a renault. The time was around 2006 and he bought it for a few hundred and sold it for 10k at auction. Was a nice car but very hard to get into and out of. My friend got one hell of a buy on that car the guy wanted to get rid of

[@_financial_regret_]

Just saw my first one today. I love it

[@zxtenn]

Guess that window design was BEFORE drive-up windows at banks and macs

[@charlesmacgilchrist3648]

It is why they didn't sell so well.

[@mattwolf7698]

Just open the door.

[@kriswingert1662]

The window design was the only one that would work due to how the gull wing door was shaped. If it had been a total window moving, it would have broke when the door was closed. This is explained in a documentary by the one Lotus engineer on the project. The prototype car had the rear half move, which was not practical.

[@LMacNeill]

Not one mention of the Flux Capacitor, Mr. Fusion, 88 miles per hour, or 1.21 gigawatts. I expect better of you, MotorWeek! ;-)

[@HiddenGemPictures]

LMacNeill this review was before BTTF

[@75aces97]

Nah, Doc Brown never drove it back to 1981 for MW to know that reference.

[@quentinwooten30]

@@75aces97 quality comment my friend

[@Greatdome99]

No power steering, but having the engine weight in back helps.

[@X150t]

2:27 "have some money, peasant"

[@deansapp4635]

The fastest De Lorean i ever saw was on a Rollback

[@75aces97]

One thing that always bugged me about this machine: For all DeLorean's self-proclaimed prowess as an automotive engineer, and all his connections in the business, the best engine he could fit into that silver elephant was a Peugeot-Renault-Volvo 2.8 liter 6?

[@garthbrown5725]

Some of those cars are becoming and valuable out of production years ago love strange cars

[@silverwings11035]

Low visibility? Im 5'10" and see fine out of my 82, unless your a midget. The back window looking out of the rear louvers does limit a little rearward visibility but not as much as you would think. I see just fine backing up in my car & it helped that I change the reverse lights to leds which make it even brighter to see at night backing up!

[@hoopenhanger]

+Christian Dietrich To be honest the visibility was severely limited.

[@silverwings11035]

+hoopenhanger I dont think so. Not at all. Actually i see easier out of my DeLorean easier than i see out of a new Camaro or Mustang. I was a GM Mastertech for 20 years and compared alot of new cars with my DeLorean and still i found the DeLorean had better line of sight compared to newer sports cars. Unless you driven a DeLorean, dont knock it till you try it.

[@hoopenhanger]

I worked at the plant in Ireland and rarely drove the car but while sitting in it the first thing that struck me was the limited visibility. I'm sure one got used to it. How long have you owned a De Lorean?

[@silverwings11035]

+hoopenhanger I have owned vin# 11035 for 12 wonderful years now. I found her left for dead in Malibu California and she sat abandon since the early 90's and i bought her in 2004 and had the car shipped out east where i live. Inside and out she was very rough but she is almost back to factory fresh and very updated with only 36k original miles. I work for General Motors for 20 years and with a lot of the cars that they make I will say this car has better visibility than most high end sports cars even with the engine out back. Its been a wonderful journey building her and just so comfy to drive! You Irish folks, (if your Irish) put alot of love into this car! Never disappointing!

[@gsxerwhite]

5’10”? You’re pretty much a midget

[@tiadaid]

Apparently they're going to build 300 new replicas of the DMC-12 for delivery next year, at 4x the original price!

[@paulxaviercyr]

Would love to buy one of these and swap in a modern drivetrain. Not to make the car fast but to make the car enjoyable and lighten up the rear a little.

[@silverwings11035]

+Jween Tech The engine really isnt that heavy compared to other engines of the time and to fit a modern engine in one requires alot of work and customization. Honestly I love the PRV engine and happy with its performance. I have a 82' DeLorean with a 5 speed and when i restored the engine (new gaskets, seals and powdercoating) i only did the exhaust. Now its got the DeLorean Performance Industries Spec 1 upgrade built by Stainless Works. Full stainless headers, duel pipes without catalytic converters going in to a duel in/out muffler. Gives the car a bice exotic sound and you can really feel a difference off the line. I work on DeLorean's on the side at my home. Next i might do the heads and cams on mine but it wasnt in the budgets years ago. Call DPI or go to there website and check out there Spec 2 Twin Chargered DeLorean engine. Twin turbo's with charge coolers, built up Renault 5 speed, suspension upgrades and bigger brakes and the engine is dialed back just under 400hp. Its sick and its still a PRV engine!!!

[@TheVintagetamiya]

I can't believe you can still get one of these new today.

[@noseefood1943]

Delorean may have been a visionary car maker, but not a good businessman, the car had to be priced close to $50k at the time to make profit.

[@knytrydr73]

John Z was a a genius as a business man. He pretty much created the muscle car era in America. Pontiac was a failing company before he took over as it's leader.

[@kriswingert1662]

How do you call $24k close to $50k? The 12 in DMC-12 was the price it was supposed to cost. Over-runs and a redesign for the engine placement put the car up to $22k and they were being sold for $25k. People wanted them quickly and were paying $30k to get them faster. This information is in several documentaries and other sources easily found with a simple search. Do some research before making a comment.

[@HollywoodF1]

@@kriswingert1662 I think he's adjusting for inflation.

[@kriswingert1662]

@@HollywoodF1 His state does say " the car had to be priced close to $50k at the time ", so he did mean back in 1981. Even if it was a joke, it was a bad one.

[@wildone106]

Whens this due out I cant wait!

[@JakobKsGarage]

"very limited visibility in all directions" - so, like driving a tank?

[@wernerbloemwagen6878]

"You build a time machine.. Out of a Delorean!"

[@ImmortanDan]

Amazing to see this car from a contemporary pov. These days people don't comprehend the early 80s complications in car design, and they mock the lackluster power they used to have then as if much could be done. Hell, the V8 Mustang in 1981 had a pathetic 4.2 mill that produced 120 horsepower. It's all the fault of the fuel crises and emission overregulation of the period, and auto manufacturers coped as best they could! The DMC had its fair share of problems, I'm sure, but it does not deserve the humiliation of being named among the worst cars ever by prissy journos who don't know better.

[@hockey365]

Elon Musk doesn't have shit on ol' Doc Brown. He made his car electrical decades before it was fashionable.

[@bigbryan166]

Among the Countach, and Testarossa posters on my wall when I was in Middle school was a poster of this car. A 3/4 view with the drivers door open. I always thought they were great looking cars but the lack of power was a huge let down. It looks like it is going 120mph sitting still but when you realize that 120mph is pretty much it's top speed it's disappointing. If they had stuffed a v8 in it, then it might have kept up with the class of cars it was in. But you also need to remember the ERA this car was built in. In those days if a car had 400 horsepower then it was an amazing accomplishment considering most everyday cars back then had a round 150 to 200 horsepower. Nowadays there are little 4-cylinder cars that can make 350 horsepower from the factory. It just goes to show you how times have changed and how far we come with the development of internal combustion engines. If this car was built in modern day then it could have been an incredibly fast car, because it was a 6 cylinder car and nowadays there are 6 cylinder family sedans that have 400 horsepower. If you stuck a 400 horsepower V6 under the hood of the DeLorean it would be a quick car. I always wondered about that stainless steel body though and I'm talking about heat. It seems like the steel would just soak up the sun and make all kinds of heat for the passenger and driver. I hope the air conditioner was good. I've seen quite a few in my time so they aren't quite a unicorn. They're out there, although I've never ridden in one. I read somewhere that someone purchased the DeLorean Factory and there are all kinds of new parts in the factory that never got used and you can basically build a brand new DeLorean from all of the parts that are available in that factory. And if I remember correctly you can actually go to that factory in purchase a brand new DeLorean that they will assemble for you from the parts that are available in that factory. I would like to ride in one before I die. I think it would take me a few minutes to get over the novelty of the gullwing doors and I may want to open and close them a few times just to get it out of my system. I did that several years ago when I helped a friend rebuild his 97 Lamborghini Diablo VT. He asked if I'd help and I told him I would under one condition. He had to let me play with the doors for a few minutes because I had been dreaming about opening the doors on a Lambo since I was a little kid. Even though it wasn't the Lambo I wanted it to be (Countach was my dream car) it was still a very satisfying feeling to push the door latch and watch those iconic scissor doors go up. I must have done that a dozen times before my friend looked at me and asked if I was done. Lol. 😁😄 Good times...

[@justinb954]

Big Bryan-great write up. This car survives for one reason. Nostalgia. When it came out there was nothing like it in its pricing. Even with a natural 6cyl rwd and rear engine it should of gotten better numbers. People are doing Volvo swaps with crazy returns. Lotus is a company who does rear wheel/rear engine 4cyl turbo charged cars and get sickening numbers, so you are right when you say how far the engine has come. the new v6 challenger is a beast. Audis are sick. This car was just cool looking at a time when Detroit was resting on its laurels, ignoring the market & making shit (and closing plants nationally.) It would be a tough job to get a stock Renault DMC to 120mph.

[@timsgta]

another 80s car that looked fast but was even slow FOR THE 80s!

[@refinogar9793]

Some day some I will get one!

[@DozensOfViewers]

An optional flux capacitor is due for the ‘85 model year...

[@kennethrosario6706]

If I wanted this car now it will be impossible right?? Look pretty cool to be honest

[@djmhyde]

+Kenneth Rosario no, there are brand new DMC-12 being made (but they're expansive) or you can buy an used one

[@anglia24]

+Kenneth Rosario When the Delorean factory closed down there was stock to build some 300 cars or so. Some guy in calf bought it all up and the Delorean name. So if you have the money it is possible to buy an band new DMC 12

[@alexbibo6304]

i ordered mine with the flux capacitor

[@josephineledford351]

I didn't realize it was made in Ireland

[@justinb954]

joey ledfordthey built the titanic too!!! LOL !!!!

[@AdamG1983]

I don't give a fuck about the downsides. I still want one. Always will.