DeLorean
DMC-12

Why it matters

The DMC-12 was the sole model of the DeLorean Motor Company, founded by John Z. DeLorean after he left General Motors. Its unpainted brushed stainless-steel body, gull-wing doors and Northern Ireland factory set it apart from other sports cars of the period, and it is the basis of the Back to the Future time machine.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• DeLorean DMC-12 (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: Berthold Werner · CC BY-SA 4.0
• DeLorean DMC-12 (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: Berthold Werner · CC BY-SA 4.0
• DeLorean DMC-12 (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: Ermell · CC BY-SA 4.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

John DeLorean became the youngest head of a GM division at 40 and left General Motors in 1973 to build his own sports car. The factory at Dunmurry near Belfast was agreed in 1978; the first car was built in January 1981. The chassis and suspension were largely based on the Lotus Esprit and the body was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign.

The company was placed in receivership in February 1982 and the factory shut in May 1982. By the end of 1981 about 7,500 cars had been produced but only about 3,000 sold. Sources give the total built between about 8,500 and 9,200; no official factory records survive. The DeLorean Directory quotes 9,080 from the company's last director of purchasing. Cars were sold as 1981, 1982 and 1983 models.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Cars carry 17-character VINs such as SCEDT26T0BD006775 (a 1981 car). The tenth character gives the model year (B for 1981, D for 1983 in the examples seen). One auction listing states that completed 1982 cars were redesignated 1983 models by changing the VIN (CD to DD, serial raised by 5,000), so a 1983 VIN does not always mean a later-built car. Bodywork is brushed stainless steel with gull-wing doors.

Related cars

• DeLorean DMC-12 time machine 'A car' (Back to the Future trilogy hero car)
• DeLorean DMC-12 24-carat gold-plated
• DeLorean DMC-12 Legend Industries Twin Turbo prototype
• DeLorean DMC-12 right-hand drive

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   DeLorean Directory – Frequently Asked Questions Level B

   • 9080 total DeLoreans built, per Barrie Wills, the company's last director of purchasing (other sources give about 9,000, 8,975 or 8,583; no official factory records survive)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   1983 DeLorean DMC-12 (Auburn Spring 2019) Level C RM Sotheby's

   • 2,849-cc PRV V-6
   • 130 hp
   • Five-speed manual

   Accessed 2026-11-12
3. 3
   Frequently Asked Questions Level B DeLorean Directory

   • around 2,800 lbs
   • around 130 mph

   Accessed 2026-11-12