Importance Score: 55 / 100 🔵
DeLorean Cars: A Timeless Icon 40 Years After ‘Back to the Future’
Forty years following the release of the film that propelled it to global fame, the DeLorean DMC-12 remains an enduring symbol of automotive innovation and cinematic history. As enthusiasts mark the anniversary of “Back to the Future,” which premiered in 1985, recent data reveals the number of these iconic vehicles still on UK roads. According to figures obtained from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) by online auction platform Collecting Cars, only a limited number of DeLorean cars continue to be actively used.
DeLorean DMC-12s on UK Roads
Currently, official records indicate that a mere 303 DeLorean cars are licensed for road use across Britain. In addition to these, another 114 DeLoreans hold Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) status. This suggests these vehicles are likely stored in locations such as garages or private collections, and are not currently driven on public roads.
From Production to Collector’s Item
Interestingly, just four years prior to the debut of “Back to the Future,” the DeLorean Motor Company produced approximately 9,000 DMC-12 vehicles at its factory in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland. Despite initial enthusiasm, the company faced financial difficulties and declared insolvency the subsequent year. This relatively short production run, coupled with the car’s starring role in the blockbuster film franchise, has transformed the DeLorean into a highly sought-after collector’s item globally.
Market Value and Scarcity
DeLorean Car Prices
Collecting Cars, an auction specialist, reports having sold only two DeLoreans in the past six years. They estimate that a fully restored DeLorean DMC-12 could now command prices upwards of £80,000 in the current market. By comparison, a DeLorean in original 1981 condition – the year of its initial release – would have been valued at approximately £18,000.
Factors Driving Up Value
Edward Lovett, chief executive of Collecting Cars, attributes the escalating prices to a combination of factors. The limited availability of DeLorean cars, combined with the sustained and widespread popularity of the “Back to the Future” film series, has significantly inflated their market value. Despite their fictional on-screen capabilities, these real-world vehicles, unfortunately, lack time-travel or flight functionalities.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
‘Back to the Future’ Legacy and Cultural Impact
The “Back to the Future” film franchise, comprising two sequels in addition to the original, has had a lasting impact on popular culture. The DeLorean, prominently featured as a time machine, is intrinsically linked to the films’ enduring appeal. The iconic line delivered by Christopher Lloyd’s character, Doc Brown, “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads,” perfectly encapsulates the film’s adventurous and forward-thinking spirit. The franchise’s continued cultural relevance is evident in the current West End musical adaptation and potential integration into the Universal Studios theme park planned for the UK.