DeLorean (DMC 12) Models in Small Scale
The DeLorean Motor Car Company (DMC) was founded by John Z De Lorean; a former Pontiac Division of General Motors executive. DeLorean has been characterized as being a renegade and innovater in the automobile manufacturing world. After leaving Pontiac, he arranged to have his two door two passenger car assembled in Northern Ireland. It was produced from 1980-1982. Featured was a very stylish low slung stainless steel body with gullwing doors . The factory in Northern Ireland and the underpowered engine were provided by Renault of France. The designs for the chassis and bodywork were performed by Guigiaro of Italdesign in Italy.
Only about 9,000 cars were reportedly produced due to financial difficulties which caused a premature demise of the company. In addition, Mr DeLorean was also involved in a drug deal scam. However , he was finally acquitted by the court system having been involved in an entrapment by the US Government. This unfortunate action canceled the receipt of additional monetary assistance to enable the company to continue in production. This resulted in DeLorean admitting failure and declaring bankruptcy.
But manufacture and sales of replacement parts continued over the years from various sources. In 2007 a "new" Delorean Motor Company ( of Texas) acquired all outstanding replacement parts in order to assist existing owners to continue to maintain their cars. Located in the city of Humble TX, the "new" DMC in 2008 began limited production of " new build" cars. This new company claims no connection or affiliation with the original company. They are using old original parts in conjunction with newly manufactured replacement components to manufacture 'new' DeLoreans with their original design. The present plan is to produce about 24 cars per year. A few select branch facilities are located throughout the US on both coasts, in addition to the Netherlands.
Hot Wheels DeLorean
In addition, it was recently announced that DMC (Texas) desires to assume production of the recently deceased Pontiac Solstice after introducing some styling improvements. It would be very fitting to have this occur, since Mr DeLorean had previously been a very important part of the executive process with Pontiac. This would keep the sports concept alive by representing the Solstice and Saturn Sky designs.
Until recently very few models of the DMC 12 in small scale were available. The first reported attempt to produce a small scale model was made by Mattel Hot Wheels in about 1979. The designs for the DMC 12 Concept model had been given verbal approval. But for some reason, the written licensing approval was never agreed upon by DeLorean . This cancellation of production apparently resulted in Mattel modifying their already prepared dies. As a result, the highly modified generic model of the Hot Wheels Turismo # 1694 was introduced in 1981. It is also noted that Corgi Juniors had also indicated in their 1981 catalog that they also were intending to issue this model but it also never appeared in the market.
Thus, until recently the only model ever issued of the DeLorean was made by Zeetoy / Zylmex and was distributed by Intex Recreation. It was issued in the mid 1980s and did feature hinged gullwing doors. This was the only stock model for quite a few years.
Zeetoy / Zylmex DeLorean Compliments of swiftysgarage.net
But one contributory source for additional models came from the previously introduced trilogy of movies from Hollywood. These were entitled "Back To The Future", in which one of the main characters (a mad professor) owned a specially prepared DeLorean that enabled passengers to enter a future time zone. The first of these movies was introduced to the cinemas in 1985.
These movies were instrumental to inspire a few toy/model manufacturers to produce models representative of these cinematic attractions. In 1998 , Johnny Lightning in their Hollywood on Wheels Series (HOW) introduced a model of the car from one of these the movies. It should be noted that each of the three movies presented a different modified car. Other models were introduced by UCS/ Ambin, who apparently in the mid to late 1980s issued both small scale diecast and all plastic promotional models representing the movies. These measure about 3 inches in length. The plastic model is quite stylized and the "mad" professor is shown with his head protruding from the drivers side window. This was a McDonalds fastfood promotional according to the baseplate with a copyright date of 1991. It is assumed that the 'UCS" represents the licensing branch for the movie producer Universal City Studios.
In the early 2000s, Charawheels, a brand produced by Bandai/ Hot Wheels in Japan also introduced a licensed model from the above movie series. In about 2006, Malibu International announced a model from the movie would be issued in their Reelrides brand. Since this model has never been observed on the store pegs, actual distribution to the public cannot be confirmed.
But the newest model has just been finally released in all its splendor by Hot Wheels as it should have been about 30 years ago! Although the side doors are not able to be opened, the rear hatch is hinged. This model is available in the Mainline regular issues (#16) for 2010. It is a very realistic representation of the real car.
Source Info
"A Pocket Guide To Cars" by Andrew Montgomery ; Paragon Publishing Book ,2006
"DELOREAN" by John Z. DeLorean; Zondervan, 1985
Additional information can also be gleaned from www.wikipedia.org/ DeLorean
Pictures kindly provided by WWW.SWIFTYSGARAGE.NET
Delorean brief history.