How long did DeLorean Motor Company last?
Matthew Harrington
Updated on January 16, 2026
Today. A large number of the original cars are still on the road after over 35 years; most estimates put it at 6,500 cars surviving out of just over 9,000 built. There is an active enthusiast community around the cars, with strong owners’ clubs.
Why did the DeLorean Motor Company fail?
DeLorean decided to build the car in Northern Ireland, where unemployment was high and the government offered manufacturing incentives. Delays hit and production didn’t begin until 1981. Lack of consumer interest, costly production, and unfavorable exchange rates drove the company to bankruptcy.
How much did a DeLorean cost in 1985?
When new, the unproven DeLorean DMC-12 cost a stiff $25,000, when you could buy an established Chevy Corvette for about $16,000. And there weren’t many buyers for the DeLorean when it debuted, partly because of its price, unproven nature and the fact that the U.S. economy was in poor shape.
Who owns the DeLorean Motor Company now?
Stephen Wynne started his career as a mechanic of European Cars and more than 30 years later he is the owner of DeLorean Motor Company which owns all the intellectual rights to John DeLorean’s creation.
How many DeLoreans are left?
6,500 DeLoreans
Despite the car having a reputation for poor build quality and a less-than-satisfying driving experience, the DeLorean continues to have a strong following driven in part by the popularity of the Back to the Future movies. An estimated 6,500 DeLoreans are still on the road.
Can you still buy a new DeLorean?
The new DeLoreans would be updated versions of the original, which was sold between 1981 and 1983. Speaking of time: DeLorean says production likely will not begin until early 2021 at the earliest. It is expected to be a low-volume run, with only one or two vehicles per week being cranked ouy.
How many DeLoreans still exist?
What is a DeLorean worth?
A DeLorean From Back To The Future Is Worth A Lot More Jay Leno’s Garage covered a Back To The Future DeLorean DMC, worth about $750,000. Only, this one was not a real car from the movie, but a replica built by Terry Matalas and Joe Walser, pat down to the flux capacitor and the 95 mph speedometer.
Does Jay Leno own a DeLorean?
DeLorean, the man who gave his name to the cars, was an early hero of Leno’s. That’s why you won’t find a DeLorean, time machine or not, anywhere in Jay Leno’s garage.
Can u still buy a DeLorean?
In fact, you can even still buy a factory-new DeLorean. The remaining parts can be re-produced or acquired elsewhere, and boom, you’ve got yourself a factory-new DeLorean. However, the DMC warehouse only has enough parts to make a maximum of 500 cars, so serious buyers better get in line quickly.
When did the first DeLorean car come out?
“We’ve had 30-plus years of [research and development] and 9,000 prototypes that were made, all so I can make 300 really nice cars a year.” The DeLorean factory line in Belfast, Northern Ireland, November 1981. The infamous story of the DeLorean Motor Company starts with John Z. DeLorean, the founder and company’s namesake.
Who is the CEO of the DeLorean Motor Company?
“We get that all the time,” says DeLorean Motor Company CEO Stephen Wynne, sitting shotgun. “That doesn’t happen with any other car.” After our speed reverie, we pull back into DMC’s Texas headquarters, located in this Houston suburb. It’s a wet November day and DeLoreans line the parking lot.
Is there going to be a new DeLorean?
DeLorean Motor Company’s vice president says it’s the realistic timeline. Great Scott! It may be finally happening. DeLorean is perhaps the most famed extinct car company on the face of this Earth, largely thanks to its starring role in Back to the Future and probably because of the way the company came crashing down.
Where was the factory that made the DeLorean located?
In his Belfast factory in Northern Ireland, DeLorean had stockpiled enough parts to build nearly 30,000 cars, but ended up producing only about 9,200. In November 1982, a company called Consolidated International bought DMC’s U.S. assets, including thousands of leftover parts, and stored them in a facility in Columbus, Ohio.