Buzz
When Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale were drafting the fourth version of Back to the Future in 1984, John DeLorean had already experienced a dramatic fall, a revival, and a rebirth. The 59-year-old carmaker had recently been cleared of federal charges tied to an alleged scheme to smuggle 55 pounds of cocaine to save his struggling DeLorean Motor Company.
After retreating from the public eye, DeLorean returned as a devout man and a symbol of entrepreneurial risk. His ambitious DMC-12, featuring gull-wing doors and promises of revolutionizing the auto industry, only managed to sell a mere 6,000 units by 1982—far short of the break-even point.
For Zemeckis and Gale, this entire saga was nothing short of captivating.
Initially, Gale and Zemeckis envisioned Marty McFly, the anxious protagonist of Back to the Future, traveling through time in a chamber hidden inside a pickup truck. An earlier version featured Marty and Doc Brown using an old refrigerator, a concept later borrowed by executive producer Steven Spielberg for a 2008 Indiana Jones film. However, concerns arose that children might imitate Marty and risk suffocation in similar appliances, leading to the idea's abandonment.
The duo also aimed to enhance a comedic scene where McFly is mistaken for an alien by a 1950s rural family. They believed a futuristic-looking time machine would amplify the humor. Thus, the pickup truck was replaced by the iconic DMC-12.
The legacy of Back to the Future is undeniable. The movie became a massive success, inspired two sequels, and immortalized the DeLorean. However, the car already had a devoted fanbase before the film. DeLorean himself saw the movie as a potential two-hour advertisement that could reignite his career.
Boston University
DeLorean served as a vice-president at General Motors and was poised for a promotion before resigning in 1973. He claimed the company clashed with his vision of producing a compact, budget-friendly sports car. By 1975, he founded DeLorean Motor Company (DMC), vowing to revolutionize the auto industry with an innovative design.
The DMC-12, with its sleek, stainless-steel frame, mirrored DeLorean’s refined tastes. Known for his attention to appearance (rumors suggested he even got a chin implant) and celebrated for launching the Pontiac GTO, he was far from the station wagon type.
Creating his automotive masterpiece was a slow process. A prototype was completed by 1976, but production facilities weren’t secured until 1978, thanks to a $120 million investment from the British government. They aimed to boost employment in politically tense Northern Ireland by establishing a factory in Dunmurry. (The region’s economy was so dire that residents begged Irish militants to avoid violence, as jobs were desperately needed.)
While violence was avoided, technical issues delayed the DMC-12’s release until 1981, when the factory began producing
Despite Carson’s support, the car struggled to gain traction. Its unique 45-inch height and gull-wing doors, reminiscent of a soaring seagull, didn’t appeal to everyone. Promotions, such as a gold-plated version for American Express customers, flopped. (Only four of the $85,000 models sold.) Additionally, despite its Porsche-rivaling price, the DMC-12 was notoriously fragile: windows jammed, floor mats leaked dye, and malfunctioning doors occasionally trapped passengers.
DeLorean aimed to sell 11,000 cars in 1981, 20,000 in 1982, and 30,000 in 1983. By mid-1982, just over 4,000 had been delivered, with another 4,000 sitting unsold. The DMC-12 was undeniably a failure.
Struggling to keep his company afloat, DeLorean attempted to appeal to the British government for additional funding. However, they refused unless he could secure an equal investment from a private backer. In late 1982, a frantic DeLorean found himself in a hotel suite, negotiating a $24 million cocaine deal, unaware that he was actually speaking with undercover FBI agents. This led to his arrest on charges of conspiring to import illegal drugs into the U.S.
From a professional standpoint, it was an absolute disaster. Yet, it also underscored the idea that all publicity, even negative, can be beneficial. The DeLorean car, which had been languishing in storage and dealerships, quickly became a sought-after collector's item. Buyers flocked to purchase the remaining stock at full price, drawn by the car's newfound notoriety. DeLorean's scandal had imbued the vehicle with an oddly captivating narrative. By the time Zemeckis and Gale were done, it would evolve into a cultural icon.
DMC & Me
Back to the Future dominated the box office for nearly three months during the summer and fall of 1985. The creators received a personal note from DeLorean expressing gratitude for reigniting public fascination with his car. That same fall, DeLorean—who had been cleared of charges in 1984—published his autobiography and resumed engaging with the media. He insisted that the DMC-12 was far from being a relic of the past.
The remaining parts were transported from the shuttered Northern Ireland plant to Columbus, Ohio, where DeLorean aimed to establish a new production facility for a modernized version of the car. Unlike the DMC-12, which had a top speed of 125 mph, the new model promised to reach 175 mph—or even 200 mph, depending on which journalist he was addressing. DeLorean also abandoned his previous cost-cutting measures. The revamped sports car would be priced at up to $75,000, targeting affluent, discerning buyers. He even considered dredging Ireland's Galway Bay to recover the body molds that had been discarded there after the company's downfall.
Industry experts remained skeptical. Although DeLorean had successfully defended himself against the initial federal charges, he was still facing new allegations of swindling earlier investors. When questioned about how he planned to secure funding for the revamped DMC-12, DeLorean remained evasive, refusing to provide any concrete details.
"You might as well toss your cash off the Brooklyn Bridge for all the good it will do you," remarked an industry analyst to TIME in 1985, highlighting the lack of confidence in DeLorean's plans.
After DeLorean overcame the latest charges in 1986, he once again assured the press of his grand ambitions to dominate the high-end sports car market. He claimed funds had already been secured. However, Motor Trend suggested that British creditors would likely oppose any DMC-12-related ventures unless they received their due compensation.
Despite setbacks, DeLorean continued to promise a comeback. In 1994, he secured a patent for a monorail system. By 1996, rumors of a DMC-2 emerged, featuring the iconic gull-wing doors but priced more affordably at $30,000. DeLorean even marketed luxury stainless-steel watches for $3,500, offering buyers priority access once the car launched. Just two weeks before his passing in March 2005, an 80-year-old DeLorean assured an automotive blogger that he remained committed to launching a new car under his name.
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Whether DeLorean truly possessed the capability to promote a car under the DMC, DeLorean, or related trademarks remains debatable. In 1994, Stephen Wynne, a devoted DMC enthusiast and auto mechanic, claimed ownership of the DeLorean Motor Company after acquiring the rights and remaining materials for an undisclosed amount, which he described as far from insignificant. Wynne transported all leftover car parts using 80 semi-trucks, costing $250,000, and established his operation in Houston, Texas. He revealed to the Gainesville Sun that DeLorean had offered his encouragement for the new endeavor.
The revitalized DMC supplies parts to mechanics and collectors. Additionally, they produce newly-assembled DMC-12s using original inventory, with prices beginning at $65,500. In 2014, Wynne reported selling approximately six new DMC-12s annually.
That same year, Sally DeLorean, DeLorean’s widow, initiated a lawsuit alleging that Wynne was "illegally" utilizing the trademarks and had never legitimately purchased the name. As reported by the Houston Chronicle, a settlement was nearly finalized last summer, but legal disputes led to a deadlock. The case remains unresolved.
The DeLorean continues to be a cornerstone of a vibrant subculture, with collectors investing heavily in restoring and preserving the approximately 6,500 surviving original models. Enthusiasts prioritize models with exterior gas caps over later designs that placed them beneath the hood. Drivers often attract attention, with onlookers shouting references like "1.21 gigawatts" or "88 miles per hour." While it may not align with DeLorean’s original vision, he undeniably created one of the most iconic vehicles in automotive history.
A dealer who invested $25,000 in DMC before its collapse was once questioned about his confidence in DeLorean. "Anything DeLorean touches," he remarked, "is destined to succeed."
Additional Sources:We Don’t Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy.
