1981day.year
Production of the DeLorean sports car begins in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Production of the iconic DeLorean DMC-12 sports car, famous for its stainless steel body and gull-wing doors, begins in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland.
On January 21, 1981, the DeLorean Motor Company commenced manufacturing its DMC-12 sports car in Dunmurry, near Belfast, under a major investment by the British government. Conceived by automotive executive John DeLorean, the vehicle featured a brushed stainless-steel exterior and distinctive gull-wing doors that captured public fascination. The new factory aimed to stimulate Northern Ireland’s economy and generate employment during a period of industrial decline. Early production encountered mechanical teething problems and supply chain delays, but the car’s futuristic design ensured global attention. Despite initial excitement, financial mismanagement and disappointing sales led to the company’s collapse in late 1982. The DeLorean found lasting fame when it was repurposed as a time machine in the 1985 film ‘Back to the Future.’ Today, surviving DMC-12 models are prized by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
1981
DeLorean
Dunmurry