DMC DeLorean: The Back to the Future Superstar Car at 40 | Top Gear

The sleek, sharp-edged and truly space-age DMC DeLorean was extraordinary in every way. But was it any good? Chris Harris looks back at the superstar movie car in its 40th anniversary year in the new episode of Top Gear, Sunday at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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[SoCalFreelance]

You don't get a sense of how low and wide this car is until you see one in traffic. A head turner even today.

[calebtennison]

It was made to look cool.

Nailed that much at least 🤙🏻

[iandavidson]

The PERFECT car for a restomod. It looks stunning, even today, it just needs modern mechanics.

[PassportBrosBusinessClass]

The Delorean rebuilt using 2021 technology and EV platform would be AWESOME.

[xjet]

Just as well Chris didn't manage to get it up to 88 mph or we'd have already seen this video when our parents were dating.

[chrisr]

The car definitely doesn't weigh a lot. It was underpowered though.

[flyingmako]

You need to compare the DeLorean with the other cars of it’s time. The early 80s were not kind for hp. And if he’s whining about the handling, he can direct his complaints at Lotus of England who engineered the chassis, frame, and suspension after the Esprit.

[MrHamlet]

Wow he got a LOT wrong here including the specs, and where the parts came from. Cars of that era were heavier then the 2700 lb DeLorean. For some additional perspective, the Corvette of that era was 190hp, and Porsche 911 170hp. The Delorean was stymied by emissions updates which prevented the rotary from being an option, and choked the PRV from 160hp down to 130hp. Come on guys...I expect much better research vs. the standard debunked rhetoric.

[samljones]

I'd love to get my hands on a DeLorean and swap in the 13B that it was destined to have!

[mgutkowski]

Rear brakes are jaguar. Glovebox *catch* is golf. Door catches are also used by lotus *to this day*. Gear knob is a bespoke item.

Get your facts straight.

[theeric]

DeLorean is the same man that invented the GTO but he's more known for his DMC car b/c it was made iconic by the movie Back to the Future.

[ciccisalsicci]

Fun fact: the PRV V6 in that car, it's the same engine that was modified and ended up in the Alfa 155 DTM in the early '90s

[flyingmako]

The DeLorean, for all its faults, is not a bad car. It was never built as a sports car but rather a grand tourer. The PRV engine had already passed US emissions and was fairly thrifty on fuel so that was a no-brainer. The deep leather seats, tall gearing, and softer suspension all play into it being a gt. All faults can be addressed with modern solutions and many owners daily these, myself included.

Is it fast? No. But the ‘81 Vette only had 180 hp too. Is it that heavy? No. 2800lb empty. The same as a modern Mini. Is it reliable? Eh.. depends on the history. The ones that sit and never run develop issues but that’s not unique to the DeLorean. It’s an antique car feature.

[daanbos]

That’s gotta be the most beautiful car I’ve ever seen

[andrew]

Chris, I love your work but please stop shitting on my childhood dream

[QuitYourCryin]

Make this an EV, it would sell like CRAZY

[DTMAUTO]

As an owner this is the same old rubbish that every Delorean owner has heard before they fail to mention that British built cars from the Era were shite .. fact. A review done by media clowns that fail to appreciate the iconicness & fact that the car is the fastest appreciating car on the planet right now with collectors globally shooting for them.

[bicyclist]

There is a company in Texas that has all the parts you need to build a new one. I was once working at a fast food joint in Michigan when a guy came through the drive through in one. I was very surprised to say the least. He managed to get the food through the slot in the window. I've seen one get turned into a electric car. If I bought one I would modify it. I think Chris totally misses the point of this car. He needs to put it into perspective. It was good for its time. He should have talked to the owner about the ownership experience. Thanks.

[GeekTherapyRadio]

Why would you be pushing it like that on a public road anyway? And in the wet no less?

Anyway. I've owned mine since July 2000. Everything said is true, but it's a GT cruiser. It's fast enough stock to keep up with modern traffic, but the real joy is just cruising for hours on the open road. It is very, very comfortable and smooth.

It will also pull more of a crowd standing still than a $300, 000 Lambo. Kids 4 to 100 beam ear to ear. It's joy on wheels more than just about any other car in history.

[dashcam]

It still makes the sub Zero section on the cool wall.