Back to the future: the revived DeLorean DMC-12 a year later

Traveling back in time to 2016, the rebirth of the DeLorean DMC-12 is reported, made possible by the newly passed Small Quantity Manufacturers Act, which allows up to 325 new versions of cars more than 25 years old, and the former DeLorean parts and service company to manufacture new versions were to be manufactured.

According to Hagerty's Tuesday report, all came to a standstill when a new president took office in 2017 and the chief administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration left in favor of a temporary replacement who would not sign the low-volume vehicle regulations.

Now, after SEMA sued the U.S. Department of Transportation in October, NHTSA has announced regulations under the Low-Volume Producer Act. With this development comes news that the DeLorean Motor Company (not to be confused with the DeLorean Motor Company, which manufactures the original cars) will be building new old DeLorean DMC-12s.

According to Haggerty, the car may be powered by an EPA and CARB certified 350 hp engine, a far cry from the original 130 hp weakling, and will be equipped with a modern infotainment system and headlights. The body would be similar to the 1981-1983 original, possibly with ABS and traction control, and the brakes would be improved. It may also be equipped with amenities such as navigation, heated and cooled seats, and Bluetooth connectivity.

James Espey, president of DeLorean Motor Company, told the magazine that production would not begin for at least a year and that perhaps only one or two cars would be built per week, less than 325.

Espey said negotiations with the government are not yet finished. The next step is a 30-day public comment period, after which the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will review the regulations and how applicants can complete them. Espey estimated that would take six months. He also stated that SEMA will not drop the lawsuit until the regulations are finalized.