Latest news with #DeLoreanDMC-12s
The Sun
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Hugely iconic ‘cult' car is on brink of extinction with just 303 left on UK roads after four decades
ONE of the most iconic cars in existence is seemingly on the brink of extinction – with just over 300 left on the roads in the UK. The DMC DeLorean, beloved by film fans as the star of the Back to the Future series, is truly a sight to behold in 2025 – not least because the cool-looking motor is so incredibly rare. 5 5 5 To mark the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future, released in 1985, online auction platform Collecting Cars has revealed the latest statistics about the cult car from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). They found that 303 are currently taxed for use on Britain's roads, while another 114 have statutory off-road notifications – meaning they're most likely rusting and gathering dust in barns or garages. It comes as, four years after the film's release, some 9,000 DeLorean DMC-12s rolled off the company's assembly line in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland. However, the brand collapsed just a year later – making the cars rare collector's items decades later. Such is their scarcity that Collecting Cars, as reported by Sky News, says it has sold just two in the past six years, with fully restored versions fetching as much as £80,000. The auctioneer's chief executive, Edward Lovett, claims a combination of rarity and Back to the Future's popularity has pushed prices up. In the film series, the car famously could travel back in time once the driver hit a speed of 88 mph – thanks to the brilliance of the eccentric Emmett "Doc" Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd, who fitted the car with a Flux Capacitor. Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox, then travels from 1985 to 1955 and accidentally stops his parents from falling in love – which threatens his own existence. Universal Studios' special effects department built three main DeLorean time machines for the movie. The hero car, which was used in the main action shots, was later restored and put on display at a motor museum. Iconic DeLorean time machine from Back To The Future sells for eye-watering price - but there's a big catch The second vehicle, known as the stunt car, was used in all three movies, and the body section was later sold to Planet Hollywood. After the famous chain shut down, the car was put on display at a museum in Hubbardston, Massachusetts. The third car was used for interior shots and was ripped apart so cameras could fit inside. This car was later sold to a Japanese company, where it was put on display. The promotional replica has working lights simulating the famous time machine – but sadly will never reach 88 mph as it has no engine. Back to the Future spawned two sequels and even has a popular musical in the West End, while reports suggest it could form part of the Universal Studios theme park announced for the UK. 5 5
The Irish Sun
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Hugely iconic ‘cult' car is on brink of extinction with just 303 left on UK roads after four decades
ONE of the most iconic cars in existence is seemingly on the brink of extinction – with just over 300 left on the roads in the UK. The DMC DeLorean, beloved by film fans as the star of the Back to the Future series, is truly a sight to behold in 2025 – not least because the cool-looking motor is so incredibly rare. Advertisement 5 The iconic DMC DeLorean is now on the brink of extinction - some 40 years after the release of the iconic Back to the Future film Credit: Alamy 5 The classic motor, loved by film fans across the world, is now a rare sight on UK roads Credit: 5 The car had a starring role in the film series but now just 303 are taxed for use on British roads Credit: Kobal Collection - Shutterstock To mark the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future, released in 1985, online auction platform Collecting Cars has revealed the latest statistics about the cult car from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). They found that 303 are currently taxed for use on Britain's roads, while another 114 have statutory off-road notifications – meaning they're most likely rusting and gathering dust in barns or garages. It comes as, four years after the film's release, some 9,000 DeLorean DMC-12s rolled off the company's assembly line in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland. However, the brand collapsed just a year later – making the cars rare collector's items decades later. Advertisement Read more Motors News Such is their scarcity that Collecting Cars, as reported by The auctioneer's chief executive, Edward Lovett, claims a combination of rarity and Back to the Future's popularity has pushed prices up. In the film series, the car famously could travel back in time once the driver hit a speed of 88 mph – thanks to the brilliance of the eccentric Emmett "Doc" Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd, who fitted the car with a Flux Capacitor. Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox, then travels from 1985 to 1955 and accidentally stops his parents from falling in love – which threatens his own existence. Advertisement Most read in Motors Exclusive Universal Studios' special effects department built three main DeLorean time machines for the movie. The hero car, which was used in the main action shots, was later restored and put on display at a motor museum. Iconic DeLorean time machine from Back To The Future sells for eye-watering price - but there's a big catch The second vehicle, known as the stunt car, was used in all three movies, and the body section was later sold to Planet Hollywood. After the famous chain shut down, the car was put on display at a museum in Hubbardston, Massachusetts. Advertisement The third car was used for interior shots and was ripped apart so cameras could fit inside. This car was later sold to a Japanese company, where it was put on display. The promotional replica has working lights simulating the famous time machine – but sadly will never reach 88 mph as it has no engine. Back to the Future spawned two sequels and even has a popular musical in the West End, while reports suggest it could form part of the Universal Studios theme park announced for the UK. Advertisement 5 A year before the firm went under, some 9,000 models rolled off the production line in Northern Ireland Credit: DeLorean 5 114 models have statutory off-road notifications – meaning they're most likely rusting and gathering dust in barns or garages Credit: mediadrumimages
Scottish Sun
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Hugely iconic ‘cult' car is on brink of extinction with just 303 left on UK roads after four decades
Another 114 have statutory off-road notifications – meaning they're most likely gathering dust in barns or garages DRIVEN TO DEATH Hugely iconic 'cult' car is on brink of extinction with just 303 left on UK roads after four decades Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ONE of the most iconic cars in existence is seemingly on the brink of extinction – with just over 300 left on the roads in the UK. The DMC DeLorean, beloved by film fans as the star of the Back to the Future series, is truly a sight to behold in 2025 – not least because the cool-looking motor is so incredibly rare. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The iconic DMC DeLorean is now on the brink of extinction - some 40 years after the release of the iconic Back to the Future film Credit: Alamy 5 The classic motor, loved by film fans across the world, is now a rare sight on UK roads Credit: 5 The car had a starring role in the film series but now just 303 are taxed for use on British roads Credit: Kobal Collection - Shutterstock To mark the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future, released in 1985, online auction platform Collecting Cars has revealed the latest statistics about the cult car from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). They found that 303 are currently taxed for use on Britain's roads, while another 114 have statutory off-road notifications – meaning they're most likely rusting and gathering dust in barns or garages. It comes as, four years after the film's release, some 9,000 DeLorean DMC-12s rolled off the company's assembly line in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland. However, the brand collapsed just a year later – making the cars rare collector's items decades later. Such is their scarcity that Collecting Cars, as reported by Sky News, says it has sold just two in the past six years, with fully restored versions fetching as much as £80,000. The auctioneer's chief executive, Edward Lovett, claims a combination of rarity and Back to the Future's popularity has pushed prices up. In the film series, the car famously could travel back in time once the driver hit a speed of 88 mph – thanks to the brilliance of the eccentric Emmett "Doc" Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd, who fitted the car with a Flux Capacitor. Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox, then travels from 1985 to 1955 and accidentally stops his parents from falling in love – which threatens his own existence. Universal Studios' special effects department built three main DeLorean time machines for the movie. The hero car, which was used in the main action shots, was later restored and put on display at a motor museum. Iconic DeLorean time machine from Back To The Future sells for eye-watering price - but there's a big catch The second vehicle, known as the stunt car, was used in all three movies, and the body section was later sold to Planet Hollywood. After the famous chain shut down, the car was put on display at a museum in Hubbardston, Massachusetts. The third car was used for interior shots and was ripped apart so cameras could fit inside. This car was later sold to a Japanese company, where it was put on display. The promotional replica has working lights simulating the famous time machine – but sadly will never reach 88 mph as it has no engine. Back to the Future spawned two sequels and even has a popular musical in the West End, while reports suggest it could form part of the Universal Studios theme park announced for the UK. 5 A year before the firm went under, some 9,000 models rolled off the production line in Northern Ireland Credit: DeLorean
Sunday World
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Sunday World
DeLorean owner says fascination with famous car remains as figures reveal only 303 left on UK roads
The cars – immortalised by the Back To The Future film franchise four decades ago – are known for their gullwing doors and unpainted stainless steel bodywork and have become a collector's item. Robert Lamrock beside a DMC12 on the first floor of Selfridge's in London. A Northern Irish owner of the famous DeLorean car has said the public's love of the iconic vehicle still continues, despite new figures showing just over 300 remain on UK roads. The cars – immortalised by the Back To The Future film franchise four decades ago – are known for their gullwing doors and unpainted stainless steel bodywork and have become a collector's item. Around 9,000 DeLorean DMC-12s rolled off the DeLorean Motor Company assembly line in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland, in 1981. The company collapsed into insolvency the following year. John DeLorean was then charged with drug trafficking in October 1982, but a jury found him not guilty in 1984, although his reputation suffered badly. Currently, 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. Robert Lamrock beside a DMC12 on the first floor of Selfridge's in London. However, Robert Lamrock, 71, of the DeLorean Owners Association, maintains that the car is still popular with the public in Northern Ireland. 'I take my car out and people are flashing their lights or tooting their horn at you,' he told the Belfast Telegraph. 'I've been to car shows where there's been Ferraris and Lamborghinis and the people all flock over to the the the DeLorean, because it's unique.' He said he still senses a local 'pride' in the DeLorean in Northern Ireland, and credits the controversial owner with having the vision build the car how and where he did. The iconic Delorean (Credit: Russell Pritchard / Presseye) 'John, despite all his errors, was a genius. The car was built around the needs and desires of the consumer, not the corporation. 'They were slightly too ambitious, in terms of trying to produce 20-30,000 when they were starting up. 'It was just unfortunate that there was a recession in 1981/82 and everything went pear-shaped.' 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. Mr Lamrock says that DeLorean owners have 'not a thing' that unites them other than being 'passionate about the car.' 'There's no common theme. There's doctors, dentists, engineers. As time has gone on, the car has become much more expensive, so you don't find too many young kids that can afford it.' DeLoreans at Stormont Thinking about the appeal of the DeLorean, he also says: 'If you've got the money, you can put a Flux Capacitor on it and pretend you're Doc Brown and Marty McFly.' According to the figures released, a further 114 of the cars 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 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.'
Belfast Telegraph
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
NI DeLorean owner says fascination with famous car remains as figures reveal only 303 left on UK roads
The cars – immortalised by the Back To The Future film franchise four decades ago – are known for their gullwing doors and unpainted stainless steel bodywork and have become a collector's item. Around 9,000 DeLorean DMC-12s rolled off the DeLorean Motor Company assembly line in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland, in 1981. The company collapsed into insolvency the following year. John DeLorean was then charged with drug trafficking in October 1982, but a jury found him not guilty in 1984, although his reputation suffered badly. Currently, 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. However, Robert Lamrock, 71, of the DeLorean Owners Association, maintains that the car is still popular with the public in Northern Ireland. 'I take my car out and people are flashing their lights or tooting their horn at you,' he told the Belfast Telegraph. 'I've been to car shows where there's been Ferraris and Lamborghinis and the people all flock over to the the the DeLorean, because it's unique.' He said he still senses a local 'pride' in the DeLorean in Northern Ireland, and credits the controversial owner with having the vision build the car how and where he did. 'John, despite all his errors, was a genius. The car was built around the needs and desires of the consumer, not the corporation. 'They were slightly too ambitious, in terms of trying to produce 20-30,000 when they were starting up. 'It was just unfortunate that there was a recession in 1981/82 and everything went pear-shaped.' 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. Mr Lamrock says that DeLorean owners have 'not a thing' that unites them other than being 'passionate about the car.' 'There's no common theme. There's doctors, dentists, engineers. As time has gone on, the car has become much more expensive, so you don't find too many young kids that can afford it.' Thinking about the appeal of the DeLorean, he also says: 'If you've got the money, you can put a Flux Capacitor on it and pretend you're Doc Brown and Marty McFly.' According to the figures released, a further 114 of the cars 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 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.'
