what is a delorean car

[Pearl]

A DeLorean is a sports car most famous for its iconic stainless steel body and gull-wing doors, but its real claim to fame is its starring role as a time machine in the Back to the Future film trilogy. Produced by the DeLorean Motor Company (DMC) for a brief period from 1981 to 1983, the car, known as the DMC-12, was a commercial failure but achieved lasting pop culture immortality. It was the brainchild of John DeLorean, a former General Motors executive.

Under the futuristic exterior, the car was less impressive. Its powertrain consisted of a PRV (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo) V6 engine mounted in the rear, producing only 130 horsepower. This resulted in lackluster performance, with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of around 10.5 seconds, which was slow for a sports car even in its era. The chassis featured a unique backbone frame and stainless steel body panels that never required painting, though they were prone to showing fingerprints. While innovative, the car was plagued by high costs, quality control issues, and the infamous legal troubles of its founder, leading to the company's quick demise.

Today, the DeLorean is a beloved collector's item. An estimated 6,000 cars are still on the road, supported by a dedicated community and specialty parts suppliers. A new company, DeLorean Motors Reimagined, has even announced plans for a modern electric version.

Feature	Specification	Context / Comparison
Model Name	DMC-12	The only model produced.
Production Years	1981-1983	Approximately 9,000 units built.
Body Material	Brushed Stainless Steel	Unique unpainted finish.
Door Design	Gull-wing	Opens upwards, a defining characteristic.
Engine	2.85L PRV V6	A joint European engine design.
Horsepower	130 hp	Low output for a sports car (e.g., 1982 Porsche 911 SC had 172 hp).
0-60 mph Time	~10.5 seconds	Slower than many contemporary family sedans.
Top Speed	109 mph	Governed by design.
Original Base Price	$25,000	Equivalent to over $75,000 today.
Estimated Survivors	~6,500	Out of roughly 9,000 produced.

[TaylorRose]

For me, it's the car from Back to the Future, plain and simple. That's what everyone remembers. The stainless steel looks cool and those doors that go up are just awesome. It's a piece of movie history you can actually own. I know it wasn't a great car mechanically, but that doesn't really matter. It's a symbol of 80s pop culture and a dream for a lot of us who grew up watching those films.