If you were a tween or a teenager in the early 80s, you probably dreamed of owning a DeLorean and feeling just like Marty McFly while traveling in time in the 1985 blockbuster movie 'Back to the Future' directed by Robert Zemeckis. The DeLorean DMC-12 by DeLorean Motor Company marked an era like very few other automobiles did. This iconic vehicle remained engrained in our minds like one of those dreams that you want to dream over and over again. With its futuristic design, fitted with a stainless steel satin brushed finish body —fiberglass underneath— and its iconic gull-wing doors, the DeLorean broke the rules of car design, but unlike the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, DMC didn't master the rules before breaking them. The DeLorean DMC-12 was manufactured only for a very brief period of time by John DeLorean's DeLorean Motor Company between 1981 and 1982 in a small town southwest of Belfast in Northern Ireland. Now, one thing that can be comparable between the DeLorean DMC-12 and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is the satin brushed finish on their stainless steel. Something else that the DeLorean accomplished quite well, was its similarity to the BMW M1 or the De Tomaso Mangusta or the De Tomaso Pantera.

It is estimated that approximately only 8,583 DMC-12s were manufactured before production was stopped in 1983. Today, there are probably five to six thousand of these cars still left in good collectible condition and here's one of them for your viewing pleasure.

In 1995, a British entrepreneur named Stephen Wynne started a company using the 'DeLorean Motor Company' name and acquired the trademark on the stylized 'DMC' logo as well as the remaining parts inventory of the original DeLorean Motor Company. The company presently located in Houston, Texas completes cars from NOS parts and 'custom made to order' reproduction parts. The DeLorean DMC-12 doesn't have a fancy interior. This icon features pure basic controls and traditional equipment from the 80s in addition to its nice grey leather. If you were expecting to see Dr. Emmett Brown's time traveling equipment inside, we are sorry to disappoint you. At least the square amber and red safety lights located on the interior of the doors will make you feel like you are entering a time machine.

The  engine located in the back of the car is properly guarded by a rear hood covered by louvers like those on the BMW M1. Once you open the hood, be prepared to see nothing but a nice looking basic engine. The engine in this car is nothing like what you'll find under the hood of any renowned European sports car. The DeLorean DMC-12 is a two-door coupe fitted with a low power 150 hp engine —130hp in the U.S. market and quite powerful for its time— and its unique iconic design is what people really lusted for. Remember, when you buy one of these automobiles, you are really not looking for performance but to make your childhood dreams come true. The back of the car is fitted with a double panel hood that requires the lifting of both perforated panels in order to access the engine. The trunk, located in the front of the car barely fits a piece of thin luggage unless we are talking about those thin vintage Samsonite suitcases from the 70s. Luckily, the two very thick instruction manuals and the gas tank cap fit in its compact trunk space.

If you are looking to buy one of these DeLorean DMC-12s you can ask our friends at Mancuso Motorsports —the McLaren dealership in Chicago— to source one for you or you can get a NOS newly completed from the new DeLorean Motor Company based out of Houston, Texas.

Now, just like with watches, the sticker price changes drastically if you decide to go with a NOS. If you have distant memories of your childhood or teenage years and 'Back to the Future' is one of your favorite movies, maybe its time to get one of these iconic cars.

Sticker Price $30,000-$65,000 USD. For more info on DeLorean Motor Company click here and for Mancuso Motorsports here.