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BangShift Question Of The Day: The DeLorean DMC 12, BangShift Approved?


BangShift Question Of The Day: The DeLorean DMC 12, BangShift Approved?

It’s a well-known fact around these parts that Brian Lohnes hates DeLoreans with the passion of a thousand burning suns, although for the life of me I can’t figure out why.

Alright, the DMC-12 was powered by a hobbled 150 horsepower Peugeot Renault Volvo 2.8L V6 thanks to concessions made by John DeLorean and the additional of catalytic converters to meet US emissions regulations, the Lotus-designed suspension was handicapped by springs that raised the ride-height and ruined the geometry, and it had a few initial quality control issues thanks to inexperienced auto workers in Northern Ireland. Oh, and DeLorean was allegedly forced into drug trafficking to keep the ailing company afloat, ruining the legacy of a man responsible for some of the greatest cars of the Muscle Car Era. All minor issues, I say.

Even with all of the evidence in favor of the DMC-12 being an absolute dog, I dig them anyway. I’m not sure if it’s the gull-wing doors, the wedge-shaped “80’s futuristic” silhouette, or the fact that space and time seem to do questionable things whenever you hit 88 miles-per-hour in one (Listen, there’s an unspoken rule that you have to reference Back To The Future at least once when writing about DeLoreans…), but I’d love to own one of these cars (Ok, ok. It’s the doors. I freaking love those doors. If it were legal I’d drive around with them open, they’re that cool.).

Of course I wouldn’t keep it stock and would probably do something along the lines of this LS1-powered version or perhaps copy this Turbo Regal swap, then fix the suspension woes and go out cruising.

$20 says that the yet-to-be-in-my-possession DMC 12 would get more attention from the general public than any muscle car (Or tractor for that matter. Go pound sand, Lohnes) and for good reason: Sure, it may get smoked in a drag race or on a road course, but these things have presence, my friend, and you can’t discount that.

Anyway, I think that Lohnes is a crotchety old man for despising one of the most iconic vehicles of the 1980s, but I want to get the opinion of the masses here.

BangShift Question Of The Day: The DeLorean DMC 12, BangShift-Approved Or Not?

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39 thoughts on “BangShift Question Of The Day: The DeLorean DMC 12, BangShift Approved?

  1. GuitarSlinger

    Hmmn …. on one hand … sure .. the cars are kind of cool …. more than a bit retro … and there is something about it that does appeal [ mostly GG’s Ital Design aesthetics ]

    But on the other hand … its a blatant POS from stem to stern … self destructed for everyone that ever bought one [ an updated one even fell apart on Jerry Seinfeld when he tried to film it for his ComediansInCarsDrinkingCoffee series ] …. was the biggest automotive ripoff of the Century [ until now … more coming * ] .. JZ was the single worst automotive con artist [ until again … now * ] not only ripping off American consumers .. but also all but destroying the Irish economy as well

    So …. seeing as how it IS St Patty’s day [ not that I’m even close to being Irish ] … JZ did make a mess of things there … and the facts as presented above … I’ll say ;

    BullS*** approved … not BangShift … by a long shot

    * For the record … Elon Musk IS the 21st Century JZ DeLorean … with his TESLA S being the biggest automotive con job ever … this time on the US consumers … AND Tax Payers …. We never learn …. do we !

    1. Burnerj303

      Please explain how the Tesla Model S is a con job. I haven’t heard anything negative about it, nothing but good praises. I would like to hear anything to the contrary. They paid off their loans early, the company is thriving, and is posing a major threat to dealers, so much so that dealers are lobbying to ban the direct sales stores in various states.

      If I won the lottery, and after I built or bought my 10 or so dream classic cars, I would buy a Tesla Model S as my daily driver. Because it’s fast, handles well, looks better than pretty much any other four door, is extremely safe, and is all American(I could give a crap about it being all electric, but I guess it makes it unique, and would make a good convo starter at family getogethers). Please tell me why it is bad/con job, I honestly want to hear, because maybe I am missing something.

  2. TheSilverBuick

    A-freak’in-men Dave!!

    I do want one. I keep thinking I should sell my Centurion this summer and open up a spot for a DeLorean.

    “$20 says that the yet-to-be-in-my-possession DMC 12 would get more attention from the general public than any muscle car (Or tractor for that matter. Go pound sand, Lohnes), and for good reason” Ha, and yes!

    BTW, there is a DeLorean that rolls around the streets of BSHQ West.

    1. GuitarSlinger

      Betcha ten to one less than five days after you get one … assuming you do … it’ll fall apart right before your eyes making you drown in tears of Buyers Remorse PO’d as all get out … and cursing the name of John Z DeLorean to the rafters and beyond

      Fact is … the only thing a DeLorean is good for … is static display … which in no way qualifies it as BS approved .. nor desirable .

      You want attention though ? For the same or less money than a DeLorean ? Hell of a lot more fun to drive as well ? Not to mention a whole hell of a lot classier ? Buy a FIAT Dino Spider . Guaranteed the ladies’ll flock to it like bees on honey … and unlike with the DeLorean … you’ll be able to drive one or two home as well … because unlike the DeLorean … and despite its FIAT fragility …. the Dino Spider … actually … works !

      From one who knows 😉 … [ had one back in the day ….. hmmmn … lets see now …. French Playboy centerfold .. check .. Prima Ballerina … check … Ford Agency tier two model … check etc etc etc ]

      Whereas all a DeLorean will get you is a 70’s 80’s retro film nerd girl

      1. TheSilverBuick

        If the thing lived 30 years already I doubt it’ll crumble to dust the moment I get it. And who here leaves anything stock anyways? Most the 30+ year old cars I’ve bought need some sort of good repair of some sort, so why be afraid of that?

        If I’m going to look at a Fiat, I might as well look at a Miata from the google images that came up.

    2. grancuda

      “…….DMC 12 would get more attention from the general public than any muscle car…….”

      Yet another reason not to get one. People are annoying about muscle cars, can’t imagine any more attention.

  3. ShawnD

    Never had a ride in one, but I’ve heard they fairly slow and handle worse than you would think. If it wasn’t for the movie far fewer people would give them a second look. Folks flock to them at car shows. That said, I think they are cool looking, but not sure if that qualifies as BS Approved.

  4. Matt

    If being “Bangshift approved” becomes similar to being “H.A.M.B. approved”, I’m out.

  5. grancuda

    How/Why is this even a question? Its one of the biggest steaming pile of turdness from the ’80’s.

  6. Appaloosa 0012

    The car has no cojones! There plenty of Detroit iron out here that’ll be better for everyone to admire!

    1. GuitarSlinger

      It wouldn’t fit . And even if it did it’d tear the car to pieces the minute you hit the gas . Read the facts about the DeLoreans .. Fragile … doesn’t even come close

  7. RockJustRock

    Just like the Gen2 F-Body this thing went from the styling department which said “low, lean and mean” to the engineering department who said “needs more front suspension travel to avoid poor ride complaints”. So nose high like a dog begging for a bone.

  8. Matt Cramer

    Kind of on the fence with these – they’re more of an interesting show car than something I’d want to try to pick to go seriously fast.

    In John Z’s defense, though – what could he have used for an engine in 1981 that wouldn’t suck? A Cross-fire 350? Carbed Ford 2.3 Turbo? Four banger out of a Porsche 924? That was right when smog regulations had really clamped down on power, and manufacturers hadn’t quite figured out how to wiggle out…

  9. ANGRYJOE

    I dig em’. more of a novelty than a performance car but it sure would be fun and people get a kick out of them. There are tons of parts availible too, they come at a cost but they are all NOS from DMC.

  10. john brown

    Buy yourself one, start selling kits to swap in LS engines and become world famous. Sounds like a perfect plan to me. Besides, you won’t have to worry about it rusting out. Double awesome!!

    1. 440 6Pac

      It won’t rust but it also won’t be worth the powder it’ll take to blow it up with an LS in it. At least right now it is

  11. gb

    Of course DMCs were slow and poorly built, but so was much of the stuff that was available in the 1980s. If V-8 Pintos, Vegas, Monzas, Sunfires, Gremlins, and Hornets are Bangshift approved, then I see no reason that an LS or Buick 3.8 turbo or 2.3 turbo Ford or a Rover V8 transplanted DMC wouldn’t also be Banshift approved. I agree that, to “Joe or Jane Average,” a DMC is going to be more noticeable than a 442 or Mustang Mach 1 or GTO or Chevelle SS, etc.

  12. Grantly

    If the question is “Are these BS approved?” I guess my answer is a reluctant “no”.
    The doors are cool, but to me in order to get the USDA stamp from Bangshift, it’s got to have something in the “Badder-Asser” department, and to me, it’s just coming up short there.

  13. Brian Lohnes

    I love Deloreans when monster trucks are on them. That thing could have an Allison airplane engine in it and I’d not be on board. I hates what I hates. 🙂

  14. 38P

    Yes to Delorean . . . No to “LESS” . . . . Bruab needs glasses and tickets to a “Back to the Future” film festival . . . .

      1. Bryan McTaggart

        Suddenly, I’m thinking you’re high. I don’t care if Jon Huber tuned that 2.3.

      2. Gregg68

        You are a man with discerning taste. BTW, do you think that the OHC Pontiac I-6 would fit? Delorean helped bring us the Firebird, so there’s a parallel there…

      3. 38P

        Yep, a built one would move a Delorean just fine.

        I also suspect forged internals, E85, Microsquirt and some turbos for the factory PRV might also do the job nicely. After all Renault basically invented the ’80s Formula One turbo era.

  15. Whelk

    Always thought the DMC’s were cool looking, even before that movie. I’d love to get one a pop a turboed nailhead in it.

  16. Edward Chesher

    They are kinda cool, definitely different, and I’ve gone through phases when I thought I wanted one. That said, when you take a step back, ignore the Back to the Future relationship, it’s truly one ugly ass car. I’ve seen more than my share up close, and even the interiors were bad, even for an 80’s car. I could live with the front end, but that rear, it’s got that non-proportional AMC thing going on.

  17. grancuda

    If I had to have a goofy car like that I would probably go for the Bricklin SV-1 over the DMC.

  18. OSC

    We approve of this message! lol. We agree. Having a DMC-12 would turn heads just as much as a classic muscle car. Just doesn’t make necks snap on the drag strip.

  19. Turbo Regal

    Ugh, no. Having gull wing doors do not make up for everything else. And replacing drive train, electronics, interior, wheels and suspension to make it Bangshift approved makes it less DeLorean.

    1. TheSilverBuick

      My Buick is pretty much just the outside sheet metal and glove box door in originality. I’ve replaced or improved about every other part of it and still call it a Buick. My Firebird will likely go down the same path as the Buick. Doing the same with the DeLorean I don’t see it making it any less DeLorean.

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