If there was one car you’d wish a manufacturer would bring back and start remanufacturing in its original form, what would it be? Chances are you’re not going to answer that question with the DeLorean DMC-12, but if you did, your wish may soon become a reality.

Although the DeLorean is regarded as a cult classic now – thanks largely to its starring role in 1985’s Hollywood blockbuster Back to the Future – it wasn’t always this way.

Launched in 1981, the DMC-12 was widely criticised for its lacklustre performance and high purchase cost, but the car’s unique stainless steel-body and futuristic gull-wing doors saw 9000 units built and sold, although not before the DeLorean Motor Company was bankrupted, subsequently bringing an end to production in 1982. (Fun fact: 1983 model year cars exist, but these were 1982 builds with modified VIN numbers).

Although no further new cars would be built, a few years later British entrepreneur Stephen Wynne saw an opportunity in DMC’s leftover inventory and started a new DeLorean Motor Company that specialized in the repair and restoration of DMC-12s. Ultimately, this led to complete ground-up rebuilds using a combination of both new old stock and refurbished components.

While those cars still retain their early ’80s build tags, the dream has always been to build brand new cars, and in January this year DMC announced it would like to do just that, taking advantage of a new low volume vehicle act passed through US Congress late last year. We’re not talking about a new model based on the old design though, rather a brand new 2017 DMC-12 that looks exactly like the original, albeit with some modern technology. You might have missed it, in which case you should have a look at the ‘make a wish’ teaser clip above.

Although there are no guarantees that a new DMC-12 will actually make it to production, due to massive public interest DMC earlier this week set up a Pre-Order Interest Application form for anyone that is interested in reserving one of what will be a very limited run of cars. It’s a given that a 2017 DeLorean won’t be cheap – a US$100,000+ price tag is rumoured – but for that you’re guaranteed something pretty special: a brand new car from the past.

So who wants one?

The Speedhunters