Latest news with #DeLoreanDMC-12
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Petersen Automotive Museum Gets Totally Rad With New 80s and 90s Exhibit
Los Angeles is one of the greatest places on Earth to be if you're a car enthusiast. Sure, there's the weather, wealth, and winding canyons, but there's also places like the Petersen Automotive Museum. Throughout its thirty-year history, it has been no stranger to hosting themed events and exhibits. But this one is special, particularly if you happen to be between the ages of, say, 35 and 45 or a connoisseur of the decades that practically invented the term "retro." In just a few short weeks, the Petersen will play host to a curated collection of super rad 1980s and 1990s supercars, SUVs, and more. It's undeniable that the 1980s and 1990s brought some real heartbreakers to the street. Swoopy spoilers, sharp, angular designs, "futuristic" digital dashboards, and rudimentary head-up displays were all the rage. Pop-up headlights were positively in vogue, and in-car CD players were the next big thing. The Petersen Automotive Museum's latest exhibit is making a toast to the era, and it isn't just limited to cars. The organization says there will be everything from motorcycles to video games - something for everyone, really. Of course, since you're reading Autoblog, there's a less than zero chance that you're interested in what cars, exactly, will be hanging around. Brace yourselves, because the guest list reads like a Radwood attendee's fever dream. The McLaren F1, Lamborghini Countach (and, even quirkier, an LM 002), and, naturally, the DeLorean DMC-12 are all scheduled to be on display. The latter, in fact, is the DeLorean DMC-12; yes, the one from Back to the Future. Even more notable guests include a genuine Audi Sport Quattro Group B rally car, a Corvette Indy concept, and the first Buick GNX built. In the parlance of our (bygone) times: tubular. Opening day is June 7th, 2025, and the exhibit is scheduled to run until April of 2026. As vintage American muscle started getting tremendous auction attention in the early 2000s, cars from the 1980s and 1990s have begun to similarly rise to popularity and downright collectability. A quick peek at any of the popular online auction sites will reveal an entire economy of ostensibly overpriced sheet metal. Who knew a 1991 GMC Syclone would one day be worth $130,000? Even less niche cars command exorbitant prices; how does an $81,000 1998 Suburban sound? Turns out, there's a lot of love for this extremely unique era in automotive history, and, funny enough, it turns out that nostalgia never gets old. Arguably, one of the best ways to enjoy it is the exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum. The Petersen Automotive Museum is a fantastic visit no matter what exhibits are featured, but we're certain this one will have many enthusiasts taking that trip to Los Angeles that they've been putting off. As a two-time visitor, I can personally attest to the level of thoughtfulness and detail that the Petersen Automotive Museum puts into every aspect of its experiences. It's going to be worth the visit, especially if you're already in Southern California or adjacent regions. Tickets start at $21, and I submit that there's little else you could do in LA that's a better bang for your buck. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Independent
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Just over 300 DeLoreans remain on UK roads
Forty years after its cinematic debut in " Back to the Future," the DeLorean DMC-12, famed for its gull-wing doors and brushed stainless steel exterior, remains a rare sight on UK roads. New figures reveal just 303 of these iconic vehicles are still registered in the country, a testament to their enduring appeal and collector status. Originally manufactured in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland, in 1981, around 9,000 DeLorean DMC-12s were produced. Their unique design and subsequent Hollywood fame have transformed them into highly sought-after automotive treasures. The limited number remaining on UK roads underscores their rarity and the dedication of their owners to preserving a piece of cinematic and automotive history. The company collapsed into insolvency the following year. Some 303 DeLoreans are taxed for use on public roads in the UK, according to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency figures obtained by online auction platform Collecting Cars. A further 114 have a statutory off road notification, meaning they are likely to be gathering dust in garages. Collecting Cars estimates a fully restored version could fetch more than £80,000 at auction. It has sold just two DeLoreans since it began trading in 2019. The most recent sold for £56,000 in 2022. Collecting Cars chief executive Edward Lovett said: 'The DeLorean is an icon of pop culture which is still turning heads after all these years. 'A combination of their scarcity and the Back To The Future phenomenon has pushed prices higher than people might imagine. 'Back in 1981, the sticker price was around £18,000, making it more expensive than a Porsche 911. 'Today, a fully restored model treated to a film car replica conversion could attract bids in excess of £80,000.' Back To The Future – which opened in cinemas in the summer of 1985 – catapulted DeLoreans into the public consciousness. In the film, eccentric scientist Dr Emmett 'Doc' Brown creates a time machine from a modified DeLorean, using plutonium to power a fictional gadget called a flux capacitor which allows time travel once the car reaches 88mph.
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
The DeLorean is on the brink of EXTINCTION: Just 303 Back to the Future cars remain on UK roads, figures reveal
It is one of the most iconic vehicles in movie history. But new data reveals that Back to the Future's DeLorean DMC-12 is on the brink of extinction - with just 303 left on Britain's roads. Known for their gull-wing doors and unique unpainted steel body, around 9,000 of these classic cars were produced by the DeLorean Motor Company in Northern Ireland. According to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) figures obtained by Collecting Cars, only a handful of DeLoreans were taxed for use on public roads last year, while 114 have a road tax exemption called a statutory off road notification (Sorn), suggesting they are probably gathering dust in garages as collectors items. This scarcity has driven the price for this legendary vehicle sky-high. 'Today, a fully restored model treated to a film car replica conversion could attract bids in excess of £80,000 ($106,000),' said Collecting Cars chief executive, Edward Lovett. Back To The Future – which opened in cinemas in the summer of 1985 – catapulted DeLoreans into the public consciousness. In the science fiction classic, mad scientist Doc Brown converts the obscure sports car into a time machine. In the film, eccentric scientist Dr Emmett 'Doc' Brown creates a time machine from a modified DeLorean, using plutonium to power a fictional gadget called a flux capacitor, which allows time travel once the car reaches 88mph. Doc Brown's comment, 'Where we're going, we don't need roads' has reached a legendary status in pop culture shared only by the DeLorean itself. While the DeLorean was an extremely rare and expensive car even when it was first produced, prices have now risen even further. The first DeLorean DMC-12 rolled off the production line in January 1981 but the company collapsed into insolvency the following year. A deal had been put in place to save the struggling manufacturer but this fell apart after John DeLorean, the company's founder, was arrested on drug trafficking charges. Mr Lovett says: 'Back in 1981, the sticker price was around £18,000, making it more expensive than a Porsche 911. 'A combination of their scarcity and the Back To The Future phenomenon has pushed prices higher than people might imagine. Since it began trading in 2019, Collecting Cars has sold just two DeLoreans with the most recent going for £56,000 ($74,000) in 2022. However, the DeLorean isn't the only car from famous films at risk of disappearing from our roads. According to DVLA data compiled by the How Many Left website, there were only 311 of the Aston Martin DB5, made famous by James Bond, left on the roads last year. A further 73 Aston Martin DB5s were listed as Sorned, meaning they are probably only driven on special occasions like track days. The Lotus Esprit driven by Roger Moore as James Bond in 1977's The Spy Who Loved has fared slightly better with 330 on the roads and 374 Sorned. Some cars from the silver screen are still remarkably popular, such as the Mini Cooper from the Italian Job of which 950 are still taxed for public roads. Likewise, there are more than 2,400 Ford Anglias, used as the flying car in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, left on the roads.
Telegraph
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Back To The Future car on brink of extinction
Back To The Future's famed DeLorean is on the brink of extinction, figures reveal. Forty years on from the film's release, there are 303 DeLorean DMC-12's – known for their gull-wing doors and unpainted stainless steel bodywork – on Britain's roads. Around 9,000 rolled off the DeLorean Motor Company assembly line in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland, in 1981 before the company collapsed into insolvency the following year. A deal had been in place to save the firm until John DeLorean, the founder, was arrested on drug-trafficking charges. Some 303 DeLoreans are currently taxed for use on public roads in the UK, according to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) figures obtained by Collecting Cars, an online-auction platform. A further 114 have a statutory off road notification (Sorn), meaning they are likely to be gathering dust in garages or elsewhere away from public highways. Sorned vehicles are exempt from road tax. The declaration is commonly used for rare or valuable cars where the owner may only want to drive them for certain events, such as summer car shows. Collecting Cars estimated that a fully restored DMC-12 could fetch more than £80,000 at auction. It has sold just two DeLoreans since it began trading in 2019, with the most recent changing hands for £56,000 in 2022. Edward Lovett, the company's chief executive, said: 'The DeLorean is an icon of pop culture, which is still turning heads after all these years. A combination of their scarcity and the Back To The Future phenomenon has pushed prices higher than people might imagine. 'Back in 1981, the sticker price was around £18,000, making it more expensive than a Porsche 911. Today, a fully restored model treated to a film car replica conversion could attract bids in excess of £80,000.' Back To The Future – which opened in cinemas in the summer of 1985 – catapulted DeLoreans into the public consciousness. In the film, Dr Emmett 'Doc' Brown, an eccentric scientist, creates a time machine from a modified DeLorean, using plutonium to power a fictional gadget called a flux capacitor, which allows time travel once the car reaches 88mph. Other similarly famous cars have declined in number since the films they were featured in were released. Just 311 examples of James Bond's iconic Aston Martin DB5 had been registered with the DVLA last year. A further 73 had been Sorned, according to official figures compiled by the How Many Left website. Slightly more Lotus Esprits, driven by Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me, are on the road, with 330 registered with the authorities. In a surprising contrast, there are 950 classic Mini Coopers, made famous by The Italian Job, in drivable condition across the country – whereas the number of roadworthy Ford Anglias, used in the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, stands at just over 2,400, even though Anglia production ended in 1967. Austin Mini Coopers were still being built until the year 2000. Fans of niche motoring films will be surprised to hear that there are just 76 BMW 735i models left on British roads, despite the German car playing a starring role alongside Jason Statham in 2002 gangster film The Transporter.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
10 Cars That Were Technologically Ahead Of Their Time
From electric revolutions to futuristic designs, the 10 cars that make this list were ahead of their time in automotive technology. Read on to discover how they pushed the boundaries of innovation—some ahead of their era, others paving the way for future breakthroughs. In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Edmunds. The ranking of this list takes into account both the immediate technological advancements of the featured cars and their long-term influence on the automotive industry. Produced between 1963 and 1981, the Mercedes-Benz 600 was the most expensive car in the world when it was introduced. It was available in two wheelbase versions: short (3,200 mm) and long (3,900 mm), with the latter of the Pullman type, offering four seats in the rear, mounted forward-facing, and separated from the driver's compartment by a power divider window. Engine 6.3-liter V8 Transmission 4-speed automatic Horsepower 250 hp Torque 369 lb-ft Driveline Rear-wheel drive 0-60 MPH 10 seconds Top Speed 127 mph The first car in the world to feature adjustable air suspension, the Mercedes-Benz 600 offered a smooth, controlled ride and superior comfort. This luxury vehicle pushed the boundaries of automotive comfort and technology and was considered a symbol of technological innovation in the luxury car segment, with its air suspension system adopted by many future luxury vehicles. Reason for ranking: While it pioneered air suspension for enhanced comfort, it didn't have as wide of an impact as other vehicles in terms of overall automotive innovation. The DeLorean DMC-12's striking design, featuring gull-wing doors, a stainless-steel body with no paint, a distinctive wedge shape, and a rear-mounted engine, combined to create a visually unique and futuristic aesthetic that set it apart from other cars of the time. Further, its construction methods, including the way the stainless steel panels were bonded to the body, were considered advanced for their era. Engine 2.85-liter V6 Transmission 3-speed automatic or 5-speed manual Horsepower 130 hp Torque 153 lb-ft Driveline Rear-wheel drive 0-60 MPH 8.8 seconds (manual) Top Speed 109 mph Though it was a commercial failure, the DeLorean was visually striking and introduced unconventional design features that would influence later high-performance sports cars. It was also immortalized as the time machine in Back to the Future. Reason for ranking: Though a commercial failure, its design and the use of stainless steel and gull-wing doors were ahead of their time, and it became a pop culture icon. As the name suggests, the Chrysler Turbine Car was a two-door coupé powered by a gas turbine engine. This car was an experiment in alternative fuels and powertrains, with 55 units made, including five prototypes, from 1963 to 1964. Engine A-831 gas turbine Transmission 3-speed automatic Horsepower 130 hp Torque 425 lb-ft Driveline Rear-wheel drive 0-60 MPH 12 seconds Top Speed 120 mph Although the turbine engine was inefficient and expensive, the Turbine Car was far ahead of its time in terms of innovation and propelled the automaker into the jet age. The A-831 engines that powered the car could operate on many fuels, required less maintenance, and lasted longer than conventional piston engines. Reason for ranking: The turbine engine was an ambitious innovation that never gained widespread acceptance but showcased the potential for alternative powertrains in passenger cars. The Porsche 959 earns legendary status due to its groundbreaking technology, including a revolutionary all-wheel-drive system with variable torque split, active suspension, sequential twin-turbocharging, and a lightweight aerodynamic design. Engine 2.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6 Transmission 6-speed manual Horsepower 444 hp Torque 369 lb-ft Driveline All-wheel drive 0-62 MPH 3.7 seconds Top Speed 197 mph When it was released, the 959 was the fastest street-legal production car. It was a technological marvel, setting the stage for future supercars with all-wheel drive and advanced suspension systems. Its price tag and rarity kept it from being widely adopted, but its tech was revolutionary. Reason for ranking: The 959 was a technological marvel with features like all-wheel drive, active suspension, and twin-turbocharged performance, laying the foundation for future supercars. The Audi Quattro, first shown at the 1980 Geneva Motor, was produced from 1980 to 1991. It goes down in history as the first car to feature permanent all-wheel drive in a passenger vehicle paired with turbocharged power. Engine 2.1-liter turbocharged inline-5 Transmission 5-speed manual Horsepower 197 hp Torque 210 lb-ft Driveline All-wheel drive 0-62 MPH 7.1 seconds Top Speed 137 mph The Quattro redefined the way cars handled performance on varied terrains, especially in rally racing. It set the stage for all-wheel-drive technology to become a common feature in sports sedans and performance vehicles. Reason for ranking: Introduced permanent all-wheel drive, which revolutionized the way cars perform in rally racing and led to its widespread use in sports sedans and SUVs. The Honda Insight features on this list because it was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle sold in the United States. The Insight made fuel-efficient hybrid technology accessible to a broader range of consumers, pioneering Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, which significantly improved gasoline mileage without compromising on practicality or design. Engine 1.0-liter 3-cylinder + electric motor Transmission 5-speed manual Horsepower 75 hp Torque 83 lb-ft Driveline Front-wheel drive 0-62 MPH 12 seconds Top Speed 112 mph In addition to its hybrid system, the Insight was small, light and streamlined, with a drag-coefficient of 0.25 and, at the time of production, was the most aerodynamic production car to be built. Although not widely adopted at first, the Insight paved the way for other hybrids, notably the Toyota Prius, and showed the potential of combining internal combustion with electric motors. Reason for ranking: As the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle in the U.S., it set the stage for the hybrid revolution that followed with models like the Toyota Prius. Who said sports cars can't be environmentally conscious? The BMW i8, produced between 2014 and 2022, was a sports car that combined lightweight construction, aerodynamic design, and a plug-in hybrid powertrain, effectively merging high performance with excellent fuel efficiency while maintaining a futuristic aesthetic. Engine 1.5-liter turbocharged + electric motor Transmission 6-speed automatic Horsepower 357 hp Torque 420 lb-ft Driveline All-wheel drive 0-60 MPH 4.4 seconds Top Speed 155 mph The i8 was a glimpse into the future of performance cars with hybrid systems, blending environmental consciousness with luxury performance. Many of its technological features have influenced electric and hybrid vehicle designs. Reason for ranking: The i8 showed the world that hybrid technology could be integrated into performance sports cars, influencing the future of high-performance hybrid vehicles. The General Motors EV1 was a groundbreaking electric car that introduced many technologies that are now common in EVs. These included regenerative braking, magnetic induction charging, electro-hydraulic power steering, keyless ignition, low-rolling-resistance tires with tire-pressure sensing, and a heat pump HVAC system. Engine 3-phase AC induction motor Transmission Single-speed automatic Horsepower 137 hp Torque 110 lb-ft Driveline Front-wheel drive 0-60 MPH 8.5 seconds Top Speed 80 mph (limited) Although it was discontinued, the EV1 was ahead of its time, showcasing the potential for electric cars in the mainstream market. One of the first fully electric cars designed and mass-produced by a major automaker, GM's move to destroy most of the vehicles remains controversial. Reason for ranking: Though it was discontinued, the EV1 pioneered electric car technology and ignited a movement toward cleaner energy in the automotive sector. The first mass-produced car, the Ford Model T—nicknamed "Tin Lizzie"—was designed to be affordable for the middle class and helped put America on wheels. It was known for its durability, versatility, and ease of maintenance and is still popular with vintage car fans. Engine 2.9-liter inline-4 Transmission 2-speed manual Horsepower 20 hp Torque 83 lb-ft Driveline Rear-wheel drive 0-60 MPH 20 seconds Top Speed 45 mph The Ford Model T introduced the moving assembly line for mass production, drastically reducing the cost of cars. It revolutionized automobile manufacturing, making cars affordable for the masses and, while not technologically advanced in the modern sense, its impact on the industry was profound. Reason for ranking: While not technologically sophisticated by today's standards, its impact on mass production changed the course of automotive history, making cars affordable and accessible to the masses. Topping the list is the first-generation Tesla Roadster—the first mass-produced electric sports car with long-range battery technology. The Roadster introduced the world to practical EVs with performance on par with gas-powered sports cars while also paving the way for the modern EV revolution. Engine 3-phase 4-pole AC induction motor + 53 kWh lithium-ion battery Transmission Single-speed automatic Horsepower 248–288 hp Torque 200–295 lb-ft Driveline Rear-wheel drive 0-60 MPH 3.9–3.7 seconds Top Speed 125 mph The Roadster was the first highway-legal, mass-produced EV to use lithium-ion battery cells, achieving a significant range for an EV at the time (244 miles). Boasting impressive acceleration, it effectively proved the viability of high-performance EVs to the mainstream market, shattering stereotypes that EVs were only slow, short-range vehicles. Reason for ranking: The Roadster redefined electric vehicles, proving that EVs could be both practical and desirable, pushing the auto industry toward sustainable energy.
