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25 Years After Going Back to the Future; the DeLorean DMC-12

Chris Nagy — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 06:35:13 +0000

On precisely July 3rd 2010, the movie Back to the Future turn celebrate 25 years since its debut to American audiences. The Steven Spielberg movie which spanned into a trilogy turned into a blockbuster and cultural icon featuring Michael J. Fox as a teenager Marty McFly who unwitting sent on a time-traveling adventure starting in 1955. Aided by eccentric but good-natured scientist Dr. Emmett Brown (known as Doc), their vessel of choice through this their journey in time was a modified DeLorean DMC-12. Selected by the Doc simply because he wanted a time machine to have some style, the DeLorean traveled through the four different eras of time of the fictional Hill Valley (not including the alternative 1985 which saw arch rival Biff Tannen operating as criminal overlord of a so-called Hell Valley). Lighting up the scenery like a Christmas tree, the DeLorean time machine now has a silver anniversary to accompany the stainless steel body.

Immortalized as the time machine in Back to the Future, the story of the actual DeLorean Motor Company contains scenes suitable for an R-rated movie. Founded by John DeLorean, this was the popular executive who steered Pontiac through the 1960s. Under DeLorean’s reign, the GTO and Firebird were born into reality giving the Pontiac division what would arguably prove to be the brand’s last, great years. First turning his sports car dreams into a business in 1976, DeLorean envisioned a cutting-edge rotary engine performance car. Hiring noted Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, John DeLoreans’ image of a stainless steel bodied sports car started off promising.The famous gull-wing doors, while being a charming character touch, was also designed so taller people like DeLorean (who stood 6 foot, 4 inches) could more easily enter and exit the vehicle.

But while styling was captured, the former General Motors boss would concede much of first original ideas over three years of design development giving up on the rotary engine technology as well as an exotic, patented materials for chassis construction. Because of the more radical initial plans for the DeLorean car, Lotus sports car magnate Colin Chapman was brought in to engineer a more conventional sports car chassis.

The end result is a DMC-12 which failed to meet performance expectations. Cited as the leading problem would be the PRV (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo) powerplant DeLorean elected to use. A 130 horsepower engine deeply injured the speed potential of the DMC-12. Amounting to a 10-plus second 0-60 mile per hour acceleration time, the DeLorean time machine barely had enough spunk to outrun a Volkswagen Microbus in a California mall parking lot. In fact, Marty owed his live to the flux capacitor as the vehicle time jump at 88 miles per hour. Power challenged, the engine was also a problem area within the production of the Back to he Future trilogy as it repeatedly overheated during production of the first film. Through part 2 and 3, an air-cooled Porsche powerplant was fitted within the DMC-12 engine bay.

In the movies, the time machine DeLorean’s fate would be met shortly after bringing Marty back home to 1985 as a freight train tore through the stainless modified sports car. The DeLorean Motor Company’s ending is slower but comparably as dramatic. Following a two-year delay at the Belfast, Ireland manufacturing facility as financial problems immediately threatened DeLorean, The British government invested an equivalent to $160 million to insure cars would leave the factory in 1981. Surviving two turbulent years of production, selling the high-priced car within a recession, DeLorean Motor Company ceased after 9,200 DMC-12s were built. Concurring, company founder John DeLorean was tried on drug trafficking charges which he would be acquitted on after trial.

An belated Hollywood ending, the DeLorean DMC-12′s co-starring role in Back to the Future 25 years ago allowed the stainless steel to glimmer a little more brightly considering its troubled infancy. Then again, the comeback story is always a favourite.

In other news, as an automotive correspondent, it is may regret to report the following news. It seems that the hover car conversion kits, shown in the second movie of the Back to the Future trilogy, might not be ready before or on the year 2015.

Photo Source: Italdesign
Information Source: Klastorin, Michael; Hibbin, Sally (1990). Back to The Future: The Official Book of The Complete Movie Trilogy. Hamlyn. p. 40.

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2007 Chicago Auto Show Disappointments

Chris Burdick — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 18:36:40 +0000

While the 2007 Chicago Auto Show was altogether a great time (see Part 1 and Part 2 of my reviews,) there were a few things that I was disappointed about. Just like every year, there were cars that I was hoping to see and weren’t there, but of course there were some surprises that made up for the shortcomings. Here are some of the things that I wish were at the show but weren’t:

I was expecting Infiniti to display the next G35 Coupe as they did last year, but it was nowhere to be found. When I spoke with an Infiniti representative, he said they will be revealing the final production version at the New York Auto Show in April, and that it will be going on sale later this year for the 2008 model year. It’s going on sale earlier than I thought, so the fact that it wasn’t there is totally worth it.

Keep reading for more…

Ferrari wasn’t there at all, which was very disappointing. I was at least hoping that they would show the 599 Fiorano and an F430, but the closest we got to Ferrari was Maserati.

I was expecting Acura to show the Advanced Sports Car Concept (the next NSX,) but it was nowhere to be seen either. It even said it would be there on the Chicago Auto Show website, so apparently something unexpected occurred, and I missed out.

Lastly, the Giugiaro Mustang was a car that I was really looking forward to seeing in person, but to my dismay, it was not there. Hopefully we will see some more of this car in the near future.

Was anybody else at the show that was hoping to see something that wasn’t there? All-in-all, the cars that were at the show made up for the cars that weren’t, and hopefully we see more of them soon anyway.

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2007 Chicago Auto Show

Chris Burdick — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 15:47:06 +0000

The 2007 Chicago Auto Show is coming up in a couple of months (Feb 9-18, 2007,) and just like every year, I’ll be there bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. You’ll see plenty of coverage here at AutomoBlog shortly after the show. Every once in a while I check up on the Chicago Auto Show website, and there have been a few recent updates on the vehicles that will be present. I’m really excited about quite a few of them, and there are always more cars at the show than the website lets on. Here are some of the cars that I’m especially excited about:

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640

This will mark the first time the Chicago Auto Show has shown Lamborghini as it’s own display, instead of throwing it into the general “Exotic Cars” section with Lotus. I’m really excited about seeing the LP640 in person. I really like the Murcielago but have always thought it was a bit too “egg-shaped.” The sharper lines of the LP640 will help get rid of the “egg” look and give it a more aggressive stance, and of course the performance upgrades are always welcome.

Nissan Altima Coupe

I can’t exclaim how excited I am to see this car in person. I’ve been saying Nissan needs an affordable, front wheel drive, 2-door coupe for a long time now, but I never knew it would be as excellent as this. It looks very much like an Infiniti G35 coupe in many aspects (which is a good thing,) and assuming all is right at release, I will buy one.

I’ll get the choice of a 270 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 or a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 175 horsepower. Each is offered with either a 6-speed manual transmission or Nissanâ€™s advanced Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT.) Also offered is a long list of user-friendly technology features, including Intelligent Key with Push Start Ignition, RearView Monitor and an advanced touch-screen navigation system. This will also mark the first time I’ve wanted an Altima more than a Maxima.

Acura NSX Concept

While the Chicago Auto Show is calling it the “Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept,” we all know it’s the next generation NSX, previously known as the Honda HSC. There have been so many concept renderings of the car, I’ll just post the one on the Auto Show website. Rumored to have an all new Acura V10 engine, nobody knows for sure what’s in store for the next NSX. I certainly look forward to seeing it.

Lexus IS-F

The IS-F is an all-new high-performance version of the popular Lexus IS 250/350 sport sedans. It will feature unique styling and a substantial boost in power from a V-8 power plant that will captivate performance car enthusiasts when it goes on sale next year. In addition to the IS-F, Lexus will have an exotic sports concept in the exhibit.

Giugiaro Mustang Concept

Oh man, I can’t wait for this one. Without a doubt, the sexiest Mustang to ever be produced. Read back on my original post on the Giugiaro Mustang.

Infiniti Coupe Concept

No, they haven’t said it’s going to be there yet, but it was there last year unannounced. That’s not saying it will be there for sure this year, but I have my hopes up. Without a doubt the most beautiful, elegant concept car I’ve ever seen, pictures don’t do it justice. I need to start saving up now.

There are a lot of other cool cars that are going to make an appearance the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, just go to their vehicles on display page and take a look around. Let us know what you are excited about, and whether or not you’ll have a chance to make it out this year. Hope to see you there!

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Giugiaro Mustang Concept

Chris Burdick — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 14:32:11 +0000

Leave it to the Italians to make the sexiest, most elegant Mustang to date. The Giugiaro Mustang concept was spotted by a reader of MustangForums in Italy a couple of weeks ago, and he was lucky enough to get in a picture before the driver chased him down. Recently though, many more concept pictures have become available, as well as a more in-depth description of the car.

“Ford Racing improved on the already-robust 300 horsepower all-aluminum 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8 engine in the production Mustang GT by adding an intercooled twin-screw supercharger for the new concept. Additional improvements include fuel injectors from the Ford GT and a unique engine calibration. Engine air intake is increased with a larger 95 mm mass air meter and a conical air filter. Exhaust performance is enhanced with new Ford Racing mufflers and an X-pipe.”

“The powertrain upgrades deliver an estimated 500 horsepower, complete with a boost level of 11 psi from the Ford Racing supercharger. A high-efficiency Ford Racing aluminum radiator provides increased cooling capability to accompany the extra 200 horsepower provided under hood.”

Needless to say, this new Mustang concept will likely be bad-ass, and just like other Italian cars, very expensive as well. With 500 horsepower under the hood though, you’ll have the best looking Mustang to compete with the Shelby GT500 out there. With its elegant Italian design it’s also much more likely to turn heads. The concept was shown at the LA Auto Show, and should be at the Chicago Show as well. If it is, you will certainly hear more about it from me.
More pictures and info at Babez.de

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