|
|
|
Welcome
Site Info
Image Gallery John DeLorean
Related Links
Miscellaneous
Interact
Contact |
The DeLorean Legend:
A temporary headquarters was set up in Detroit, but later moved to Park Avenue, New York City. DeLorean's goal was to design a car that would be safe, reliable, comfortable, fun to drive and unmistakable. The first car to hit the DMC drawing boards was called the DMC-12, standing for DeLorean Motor Company-12. The DeLorean design team was made up of Bill Collins, an engineer from GM, and Italian design specialist Giorgetto Giugiaro. Giugiaro was told by John DeLorean that this new car must include gullwing style doors, a rear engine, and two seats with enough room for a large person. The next step was to set up a factory. DeLorean desired to have his car built in the United States, but financial options made Puerto Rico a possibility. The Republic of Ireland was also interested in housing the DMC factory. DMC was just about to make a deal with Puerto Rico when Northern Ireland rushed in with a better offer. The DMC assembly plant would be located in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland. DeLorean Motor Cars, Ltd. was soon up and running and quickly went about hiring 2,600 employees to begin manufacturing DMC-12s. Collins had already made several prototypes but DeLorean was not happy with any of them and the company was falling behind schedule. In an attempt to find a new designer, DeLorean contacted Porsche and BMW, but neither company could spare a design on such short notice. DeLorean also contacted the struggling Lotus company. Lotus refused at first, but later saw the opportunity as a way to save their company. The first DeLorean was scheduled to hit the roads in 1978, but it was not until 1981 that the DeLorean Sports Car debuted. There were 500 cars that were shipped to the United States in April. The car featured a PRV-6 (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo V-6) engine that was made by Renault in France, but had Volvo markings. The transmission was also made by Renault. The DeLorean Sports Car was indeed identifiable. With gullwing doors, a rear mounted engine and 304 grade stainless steel body panels, there is no other car like it. Leather seats, power windows, tilt steering and air conditioning were standard features. A DeLorean Sports Car could be reserved before it was built. Many people plunked down a $1,000 deposit without knowing what the final price tag was going to be. DMC estimated the cars would sell for $12,000. The final cost was $28,000. That's where the "12" part of the DMC-12 model name came about. Once the first cars were on the road, many complaints began to roll in. The cars were not "fun to drive" as promised and had severe electrical problems. Quality Assurance Centers set up in the U.S. wound up rebuilding many of the first cars to keep the public happy. DMC engineers quickly fixed many of the problems and initial sales increased. DeLorean was optimistic and increased production to 400 cars a week. This number was a little high. The sports car market already had a number of desirable sports cars in the DeLorean price range. Compared to the much loved Corvette, the DeLorean was a bit odd looking. By early 1982, DeLorean sales were dropping and the company was soon in financial trouble. Under control of the British Government, DMC was placed in receivership and Sir Kenneth Cork was appointed to try to run the company. Cork had been able to save several other British car companies, but DeLorean was still considered American. In 1982, while John DeLorean was desperately searching for financial support, he was arrested for drug trafficking in the city of Los Angeles, California. He was later acquitted, but spent many years in court trying to clear his name Roughly 95% percent of claims against DeLorean have now been settled. The final verdict was that he had been framed. In the meantime, DMC was declared bankrupt and all assets liquidated. A company called Consolidated bought most of the remaining DMC inventory and assembled the few remaining 1983 cars. The dies used to make the major pieces of the DeLorean car became weights in the Atlantic ocean. According to the DeLorean Owners Association, 6539 DeLoreans were produced in 1981, 1126 in 1982, and 918 in 1983. Many employees of the company state they assembled well over 10,000 cars including two that were gold plated by American Express. With DMC's records long gone, the exact production figures will never be known. Too much is talked about the failure of DeLorean, and not about the accomplishments of DeLorean. To consider what he almost pulled off is amazing. Mr. DeLorean built a state of the art factory, began mass-producing vehicles, and was completely independent of other manufacturers. It would have only gotten better had financial troubles not defeated him. I will always consider DeLorean a respectable individual who made one of the greatest cars ever. He accomplished his goal of building an unmistakable car. |
|
Disclaimer:
The information and pictures contained in this web site were gathered around Bookmark this site now (IE Users Only) |
