The Delorean Motor Company, and specifically the iconic DMC-12 sports car, is forever linked with the cinematic adventures of Doctor Who and the distinctive gull-wing doors. Yet, the question of who made Delorean cars requires a look beyond the silver screen and into the complex history of an American entrepreneur who dared to build a car in the United Kingdom.
The American Visionary: John DeLorean
To understand who made the Delorean, one must first look to the man behind the name: John DeLorean. A highly respected executive within the American automotive industry, DeLorean was a former General Motors division head who had successfully launched the Pontiac GTO. In 1973, he left GM to establish his own company, DeLorean Motor Company, with the ambitious goal of creating a high-performance sports car that would redefine motoring.
Production Location: Northern Ireland
Perhaps the most critical answer to who made Delorean cars lies in the location of production. DeLorean chose to manufacture his car not in the United States, but in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This decision was driven by a combination of government incentives, favorable economic conditions, and the availability of a skilled, yet underemployed, manufacturing workforce. The company entered into a partnership with the Northern Ireland Development Agency to build the factory.
The Factory in Dunmurry
The manufacturing itself was carried out at the newly built factory in Dunmurry, a suburb of Belfast. Construction of this state-of-the-art facility began in 1978. It was here, on this specific site, that the stainless steel chassis and distinctive gull-wing doors were assembled before the cars were shipped worldwide. The plant represented a significant investment in the region's industrial future.
The Manufacturing Process and Workforce So, who made Delorean cars on the factory floor? The vehicles were assembled by a dedicated workforce of local Northern Irish workers. These individuals were trained to handle the unique construction methods, which involved bonding stainless steel panels to a reinforced steel chassis. This process was crucial for achieving the car's signature look and durability, but it proved to be more time-consuming and expensive than initially planned, contributing to the company's financial difficulties. Timeline of Production
So, who made Delorean cars on the factory floor? The vehicles were assembled by a dedicated workforce of local Northern Irish workers. These individuals were trained to handle the unique construction methods, which involved bonding stainless steel panels to a reinforced steel chassis. This process was crucial for achieving the car's signature look and durability, but it proved to be more time-consuming and expensive than initially planned, contributing to the company's financial difficulties.
Production of the DMC-12 began in late 1981. However, the period of active manufacturing was tragically short. The company struggled with financing and sales targets. In early 1982, just as the factory was reaching full production capacity, John DeLorean was arrested in a high-profile cocaine trafficking scandal. Although he was later acquitted, the company had already collapsed.
The Legacy of the Manufactured Car
In total, only about 9,000 DeLorean DMC-12s were ever completed by the Belfast factory before production ceased in late 1982. The cars that were made, however, have endured far beyond their intended market lifespan. Their appearance in the "Back to the Future" franchise immortalized the design, transforming the DeLorean from a commercial failure into a cultural icon that is still manufactured, repaired, and celebrated by enthusiasts today.
