Approximately 9,000 DeLorean DMC-12 cars were manufactured between 1981 and 1983. This figure is widely cited by authoritative sources like the DeLorean Motor Company (DMC) archives and the DeLorean Owners Association. Production was cut short due to the company's bankruptcy, making the car an instant collector's item. The exact number can vary slightly depending on whether pre-production prototypes and cars assembled from leftover parts after the factory's closure are included, but the consensus among experts settles on just under 9,000 units.
This limited production run is a key reason for the car's enduring allure and value. The vehicles were built in a factory in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland, a location chosen for government subsidies. The entire production history was compressed into a tumultuous two-year period, plagued by financial struggles and the infamous legal troubles of its founder, John DeLorean.
When discussing survival rates, it's estimated that about 6,500 DeLoreans are still in existence today. Their stainless steel bodies, which don't rust in the traditional sense, have contributed to their longevity, though mechanical and interior parts can still deteriorate. The car's pop-culture immortality, cemented by the Back to the Future film franchise, has created a massive demand that far outstrips the original supply.
| Data Point | Details | Source / Context |
|---|
| Total Production Volume | ~9,000 units | DeLorean Owners Association |
| Model Produced | DMC-12 | Only one model was ever made. |
| Production Years | 1981-1983 | Manufacturing lasted about 26 months. |
| Estimated Surviving Cars | ~6,500 units | Based on registry data and expert estimates. |
| Peak Production Year | 1981 | The highest output was in the first full year. |
| Factory Location | Dunmurry, Northern Ireland | A suburb of Belfast. |
| VIN Range | SCEDT26TBD000001 to ~BD009200 | VINs were not assigned sequentially. |
| Cars Produced in 1981 | Approximately 7,500 | The majority of the total run. |
| Cars Produced in 1982 | Approximately 1,500 | Production slowed significantly. |
| Cars Produced in 1983 | Less than 100 | Final vehicles assembled before closure. |
| Number of Right-Hand Drive Cars | Approximately 16 | Made for markets like the UK and Japan. |
| Number of Gray Interior Cars | Estimated 1,200-1,500 | Most had black or gray interiors. |
| Estimated U.S. Market Cars | Over 8,000 | The primary market for the DeLorean. |
