10 Facts about the Delorean
The DeLorean DMC-12 was the brainchild of automotive industry executive John DeLorean, who worked for Chrysler, Packard, Pontiac and Chevrolet before setting up his own company in 1973.
The car was built in Dunmurry, Belfast and the first Delorean rolled off the production line on January 21, 1981.
There were only around 9,000 Deloreans made before production was halted in 1983. Only 16 right hand drive cars were ever produced.
The Deloreans body panels were made from the same brushed stainless steel used in the catering industry.
Three cars were actually plated in solid gold! They originally wanted to build 100 as part of a 1980 christmas promotion with American Express gold car members, but only 2 of the $85,000 cars were ever sold with one as a back up spare.
The actual car design was by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Ital Design (who also designed the Lotus Esprit and the original Volkswagen Golf).
The Deloreans engine was a 2.7 liter V6 and was developed as a group by Peugeot, Renault and Volvo.
Officially the Delorean went from 0 - 60mph in 8.8 seconds.
The Delorean was named “DMC - 12” because it was originally priced at $12,000. However, by the time it came to market, the car had a suggested retail price of $25,000 (you could option an automatic transmission for an extra $650).
10. A total of six DeLorean cars were used for the making of the Back to the Future movies, along with one built entirely out of fibreglass for scenes in which the car had to fly. Only three of the cars still exist, plus the one that was destroyed at the end of the trilogy’s final film.
