Back From the Past, Into the Future

Behold, the basis for one of the coolest movie cars ever made: the DeLorean DMC-12 (1981-1982).

Is there any question why they made the Time Machine out of it?

Now, it does look like it came from the early '80s. After all, it's all angles and squares. The only round things are the wheels.

It also has that tacky slot covering on the back.

Almost no car in the world can pull that off, except for a DeLorean. It just fits in with the car's unabashedly '80s character.

The interior does too, even if it does have more plastic than the Rubbermaid factory.

It's gray and very plain, typical of the time. But, really, with the stainless steel body panels do you really need any more flash?

Not really. But it could use a better engine in the back.


Unfortunately, the American version was neutered. The European model made 170hp. But thanks to American emission regulations, we got an engine that put down 130hp.

That's not nearly enough to properly motivate a stainless steel covered car.

So without Back to the Future, the DMC-12 would've been a footnote in history. It would be that silver car, with the weird doors. You know, the one that was kind of neat looking.

Then this happened:
John Z. Delorean, the man who founded the company, wrote a letter to film's director. He thanked them for immortalizing the car. Rightly so.

Now the Delorean is a childhood icon. Now the doors are cool, and the stainless steel is awesome. It feels futuristic, even if it is pushing 30.

What makes it even better is that you can have one new.

Another Delorean Motor Company, this one based in Texas, builds them from parts left over from the original run. The new car starts out at about $57 thousand.

No word on what happens when you hit 88mph.