The Delorian had a stainless Steel body and was a limited production car. It seems like stainless steel would be too heavy for a successful car, could that have been the reason why it wasn't successful? It was only as successful as it was because of the Back to the Future movies, in my opinion.

RoverRoad

Is stainless steel heavier than the common steel autos are made from today? I don't know. (I'm sure a quick web search would be enlightening). But the question is, 'Is the stainless used on the Delorian the same gage (thickness) as the common stamped steel?

I think that the lack of commercial success, and the nearly instant "cult" status, of the car is mostly due to John DeLorean's poor planning and subsequent legal troubles. Not too many people who could afford one wanted a car that was identified with a huge cocaine scandal, even if it WAS among the coolest things ever to touch asphalt...If I had one, I think I'd almost have to paint it black...I am just that way!

It wasn't successful because it was overweight, under powered, and over priced. It was slow, didn't handle very well and wasn't reliable. DeLorean was a master of muscle cars (the Pontiac GTO was his "invention") but was almost totally clueless when it came to sports cars. Engineering, not marketing, was his forte.