Thanks To A New Law The DeLorean DMC-12 Can Make A Glorious Comeback In 2017

The company that purchased the remaining DMC-12 parts in the 90s will finally be able to build them into complete cars thanks to a new law in the United States
Thanks To A New Law The DeLorean DMC-12 Can Make A Glorious Comeback In 2017

For years now, there’s been talk of an unlikely resurrection for the DeLorean DMC-12. The remaining parts inventory was purchased in the mid 1990s by a new company taking the original DeLorean Motor Company name, and has since been maintaining surviving examples of the unconventional sports car in the USA. But the inventory is so large, it’s good for more than just keeping the existing ones alive - apparently there are enough bits to make as many as 300 cars.

It’s not been possible up until now, but the new ‘Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act’ passed in December 2015 looks to be just what the reincarnated DMC needs. In a statement, the company said that the new legislation allows, “small companies to produce a limited number of completed replica motor vehicles that resemble the appearance of cars produced 25 years ago or more.”

While it’ll be more of a modernised reproduction than a replica, if that ‘replica’ description means a new batch of DeLoreans is possible, that sounds good to us. The company went on to say:

“In anticipation of this legislation, DeLorean Motor Company has been working for some time to identify a supplier for engines and other parts that must be reproduced to facilitate this production for 2017. A number of hurdles exist before production can begin, and we’re still early on in this process of determining the feasibility of moving forward.”

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Official details are limited, but Jalopnik managed to extract a few interesting bits of information from company VP James Espey, who mentioned that there are three potential engine suppliers, and the current favourite is naturally-aspirated and good for at least 300bhp. The wheels and brakes will be larger, and the suspension suitably beefed up.

The DeLorean Motor Company remains one of the most bizarre stories in the automotive world. The company eventually went bust thanks to poor sales of the unreliable and chronically underpowered DMC-12, with founder John DeLorean arrested (and later acquitted) for allegedly partaking in drug trafficking in an apparent attempt to keep the company alive.

The car’s appearance in the Back To The Future franchise made it a cultural icon, but as this news proves, clearly that wasn’t the last significant chapter in the curious DeLorean tale.

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Comments

Disklok

“Welcome back to the future!”

01/28/2016 - 10:18 |
84 | 0
sander0811

If they will be built in 2017 they will actually go to the future, right?

01/28/2016 - 10:22 |
54 | 0
Anonymous

This is great news!

01/28/2016 - 10:38 |
0 | 0
XEONIT

They must do it. But except mechanical upgrades, like stering, suspension, drive etc, i would change some details on outside and in interior of car, make it more like these days cars, but not from future, like Japan concepts. Some styling changes. This car is clasic in every way, but in my opinion its need some nowdays changes

01/28/2016 - 10:47 |
10 | 2
tunnelvision

In reply to by XEONIT

Like what? You’re being very vague…

01/28/2016 - 11:47 |
0 | 4
Gabrio Erthal

In reply to by XEONIT

Agreed, needs a new dashboard, steering wheel and these kind of things. Maybe a little facelift here and there, and it’s ready to humble.

01/28/2016 - 12:02 |
6 | 0
Ridgerunner21

I wouldn’t call it ‘glorious,’ the company only has enough NOS in stock to build about three hundred cars. I don’t know if they plan on manufacturing more body panels and chassis or developing a new car after that, but the DMC-12 will likely only see another 300 ‘new’ cars in 2017.

01/28/2016 - 10:53 |
4 | 0

And the price will be just under $100k… So, it’s more like collector’s gadget…

01/28/2016 - 11:12 |
6 | 0
Matt Robinson
Matt Robinson

I’m amazed no one’s posted something like this yet.

01/28/2016 - 10:53 |
178 | 0

I don’t think many people know the reference haha!

01/28/2016 - 11:07 |
6 | 64

posted this yesterday but….did not make the feed,they stole my thunder

01/28/2016 - 12:40 |
10 | 0
Anonymous

New law… (first thought that came to my head)… Time travel becomes legal?

01/28/2016 - 11:10 |
26 | 2
Dat Boi

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Haha, but was it ever illegal?

01/28/2016 - 11:32 |
10 | 0
Sir Bertus

Should put an ls in all of the new ones :v

01/28/2016 - 11:22 |
0 | 4
Mr.PurpleV12

And with this, they could make those 300 or so cars. Than maybe design a new one.

01/28/2016 - 11:24 |
0 | 0
auSTIn

Well that’s good news someone saved the delorean but the real question now is who will save the clock tower?

01/28/2016 - 11:39 |
12 | 0