Latest news with #EdwardLovett
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
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.
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.
