17 Jul 2007, 15:29
The original prototype and DSV (DeLorean Safety Vehicle) from memory was supposed to be small and lightweight (probably not a million miles away from a larger Lotus Elise?). The car we know and love came about due to the fact that they needed to save time during the development and borrow heavily from the Espirit...
DeLorean had gone to Porsche originally but they wanted 4 years to develop the car. Lotus wanted more that the 2 years development time than DeLorean was offering but Lotus was cash strapped and couldn't refuse the 4 million being dangled in front of them.
The DMC-12 was supposed to be released in 1980 but due to a variety of delays plus inflation meant that the price needed to rise to around $26k?
DeLorean had to pay back the loans. He also made more £££ for every worker he hired so he could not have succeeded if he hadn't promised to make the quantities of cars that he needed to make.
Remember that the DeLorean was outselling the 911 initially but when the USA was hit by its worse winter for 30 years at the end of 1981 it killed sports cars sales overnight.... and the rest you know...
The above is from memory so let me know if I have any of the details wrong...
DeLorean had gone to Porsche originally but they wanted 4 years to develop the car. Lotus wanted more that the 2 years development time than DeLorean was offering but Lotus was cash strapped and couldn't refuse the 4 million being dangled in front of them.
The DMC-12 was supposed to be released in 1980 but due to a variety of delays plus inflation meant that the price needed to rise to around $26k?
DeLorean had to pay back the loans. He also made more £££ for every worker he hired so he could not have succeeded if he hadn't promised to make the quantities of cars that he needed to make.
Remember that the DeLorean was outselling the 911 initially but when the USA was hit by its worse winter for 30 years at the end of 1981 it killed sports cars sales overnight.... and the rest you know...
The above is from memory so let me know if I have any of the details wrong...
Regards,
Chris Hawes
DOC 138
Ex owner of VIN 5255 Grey, 5-speed
Chris Hawes
DOC 138
Ex owner of VIN 5255 Grey, 5-speed