Painted Deloreans...Taste the Rainbow
Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 1:08AM 
I think many car lovers have a love/hate relationship with the Delorean. It's got an intriguing history, Lotus-designed chassis, and Giugiaro-penned stainless steel body! But it's dog slow, and inextricably linked with Michael J Fox. Add to this the fact that nearly every single Delorean that left the factory looked virtually the same and one might conclude that if you've seen one Delorean, you've seen them all.
Not so, my friends, not so. I took the liberty of compiling some rather fetching examples of what Delorean owners refer to as "Painted D's." And although it seems a pity to cover up that brushed stainless, I think the car's beautiful body lines become more evident in a solid glossy color. Particularly black! Add to this a lowered suspension and it's enough to re-contextualize the car away from the famous movie time machine and consider it as a serious modern design alongside the Lotus Esprit and Volkswagen Scirocco, which are its closest stylistic relatives.
Now if only painting the car made it faster!
Back to the Future, Delorean, Michael J Fox, painted, painted D in Musings
Reader Comments (6)
The interesting and strange thing about the DeLorean is that it really looks far better in real life than in pictures! (You will recall we said the opposite of the Alfa Romeo 8C). :-)
I totally agree, Etienne! In person, it is pretty impressive. Doubly so on the road. I saw one pass by me on the BQE one day and it looked like a space ship!
Ouch - surprisingly the only two I like are the green and yellow ones.
Doc Brown would be furious!
GREAT SCOT, Murph!!
I am surprised you don't dig the black one. The lowered yellow one is obviously hot ( i think removing the side rubbing strips makes a big difference).
haha, you're right actually - the removal of the rubber strips does make a big difference in the appearance.
Wow, for car models which by and large are soley associated with Back to the Future these look fantastic. I'm seconding Murph, minus the rubber strips is much\ better.