A solid argument could be made for retrofuturism as one of automotive design's defining themes over the past few years... witness offerings like the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Volkswagen New Beetle, MINI Cooper, and more recently, the Chevrolet HHR and Toyota FJ. So could there be a better time to go Back To The Future? That's the question a cadre of Bonita Springs, Florida DeLorean enthusiasts are asking, and apparently they have their answer: a two month wait list.
Eighteen months ago, Naples resident Tony Ierardi opened up a DeLorean remanufacturing operation with the help of Texan Stephen Wynne, who had purchased the rights to the DeLorean name and logo, along with the factory's leftover parts.
The company is now capable of building a "new" be-winged coupes for $42,500-and of course, they're happy to remedy the factory-correct DeLorean's rather sluggish performance for a few dollars more. Ierardi and company are doing so well at the moment that they've already got a wait of upwards of 60 days for their versions of John Z's stainless-steel wonder.
[Sources: News-Press; delorean-dmc12.co.uk]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
CoffeeJedi @ May 25th 2006 11:50AM
Do nuclear reactors meet federal emission standards, or will these ship with the later upgraded "Mr. Fusion"?
Keithius @ May 25th 2006 12:12PM
No no no, only the Flux Capacitor is powered by the nuclear reactor (or Mr. Fusion). The car itself is still powered by plain old gasoline.
Although with all the hybrid technology these days, I wonder...
Peter @ May 25th 2006 12:18PM
One could always just get by with a wire and a hook, and just drive in lightning storms...
Phelix @ May 25th 2006 12:26PM
i do not understand the appeal of these cars.
JC Whitless @ May 25th 2006 12:36PM
I just hope it includes a tinted screen over the Flux Capacitor, because in todays litigation happy world, "Shield Eyes From Light" probably woudn't hold any water in court...
Any chance of them building these out of regular sheet metal or Carbon Fiber? That plus some suspension refinements would make it a nice ride...
Carster @ May 25th 2006 12:40PM
I don't know about anyone else here but I have drove a number of these cars and have even drove highly modified ones and there is something to be said about the DeLorean!
James @ May 25th 2006 12:41PM
Not another BTTF sequel...
Ben @ May 25th 2006 12:46PM
I thought the car was only propelled when Michael J. Fox hit his head on the steering wheel?
We'll need a Michael J. Fox (TM) starter system.
DRFS Rich @ May 25th 2006 12:59PM
Forget the DeLorean!
- R
starlightmica @ May 25th 2006 1:09PM
www.dmcflorida.com
Sean Cahill @ May 25th 2006 2:28PM
If they are seriously goin g to bring this back, hopefully they've fixed the engine and overheating problems these beasts are known for! I wonder if they're going to update the interior or other bits....
IntotheAbyss @ May 25th 2006 2:36PM
No, this sucker's electrical..I need a nuclear reaction to generate the 1.21 gigawatts
tr @ May 25th 2006 3:54PM
so, i guess everyone here is pretty much too young to remember when DeLoreans were just sports cars, and not time machines, right?
back in the day, it was a sweet car...that looked like a commercial pizza oven. but still sweet. speaking of pizza ovens, back in '94, i delivered pizzas for some pizza place, and the owner's dad had one of these. in fact, he let me make a delivery in it once. it ran okay, but that PRV V-6 was a bit sluggish.
Jodan @ May 25th 2006 6:33PM
As long as it goes faster than 88 MPH I'll be happy. Will the new models be flight capable like in BTTF 2.
ron @ May 25th 2006 6:38PM
I work at Spitzer Cadillac in Parma, Ohio and we just purchased DeLorean Cadillac I believe it was the DMC's brother who we bought the dealership from. DeLorean Cadillac had an 83 with 3,000 miles. I drove it for a night and it was pretty cool. I got a lot of looks.
Ron
apollo322 @ May 25th 2006 8:04PM
You put the right engine in one of these and you could have yourself a fun little sports car. Gotta love the gullwings!
Fooman @ May 25th 2006 9:30PM
John Z's????
John D????? Maybe???
That One Person @ May 26th 2006 12:16AM
#4 DeLorean's are just...cool. Yea they were slow as piss but damn they are sweet to look at.
I wouldnt mind dropping the Ford GT engine into this baby. Yea right. It would be nice with any modern V-6. The Nissan six cylinder would be great...
Damn, I want one now...
Secret Squirrel @ May 26th 2006 12:17AM
Quit dissing the DMC-12. John had hands in several great cars: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_De_Lorean
...and let's not forget about the DMC-12's designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro. Check out all the rides he had a part in:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgetto_Giugiaro
Glenn Laycock @ May 26th 2006 12:36AM
I would like to see what the new ones look like. That stainless steel must be difficult to keep looking nice.