Stainless DeLorean stands the test of time
The DeLorean sports car might have gained worldwide fame in the Back to the Future film trilogy, but it also played a short role in the UK economy in the early 80s. Outokumpu’s Joe Turner recalls his time working with the iconic car, which had a body made of stainless steel.
“All I have is memories,” laughs Joe Turner when asked to share his DeLorean knowledge. Turner, now based in Degerfors, Sweden, looks back on his 40-year career at Outokumpu and his time in Sheffield, UK, where the stainless steel panels for the famed vehicle were produced.
“The steel industry was totally different back then. Most companies were nationalized,” he tells. When the DeLorean project started in 1976, Turner was one of the rare ones working for an independent company in an industry that was people-centric. “The business I was in thirty years ago would not be possible in today’s automated environment,” he summarizes.
The DeLorean DMC-12 was the only model produced by the short-lived DeLorean Motor Company. The American manufacturer first tried selling it to the German government, who turned it down. The British Labour government, in turn, saw an opportunity to boost employment. A factory was set up in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and production started in 1981.
Advanced design
In addition to the brushed stainless steel body and a rear-mounted V6 engine, one striking feature was the DeLorean’s gull-wing doors.
The stainless steel supplied initially was grade 304 in 0.8mm thickness, and then grade 316 was introduced in the same thickness for additional corrosion resistance. “We were also among the forerunners of just-in-time production, making daily airfreight deliveries from Manchester airport to Belfast,” highlights Turner.
Around 9,200 DeLoreans were manufactured in Belfast between 1981 and 1983. Turner estimates that two-thirds of those still exist.
From an isle to the big screen
The US car market hit a slump, and the DeLorean production lines were closed in 1983. However, in 1985 the car made a comeback as a time machine in the hugely successful Back to the Future franchise.
“I remember hearing about the movies early on, but to be honest, it was not a big deal. We were just grateful to have jobs,” says Turner. He recalls that the sci-fi adventure was not the only film the car was up for. “There were talks of using it in Bond movies, too.”
Testing the car’s time travel potential is not in the plans for Turner who will retire this year. “I last saw a DeLorean twenty years ago,” he chuckles, adding that his future will be devoted to family and football.
“The steel industry was totally different back then. Most companies were nationalized,” he tells. When the DeLorean project started in 1976, Turner was one of the rare ones working for an independent company in an industry that was people-centric. “The business I was in thirty years ago would not be possible in today’s automated environment,” he summarizes.
The DeLorean DMC-12 was the only model produced by the short-lived DeLorean Motor Company. The American manufacturer first tried selling it to the German government, who turned it down. The British Labour government, in turn, saw an opportunity to boost employment. A factory was set up in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and production started in 1981.
Advanced design
In addition to the brushed stainless steel body and a rear-mounted V6 engine, one striking feature was the DeLorean’s gull-wing doors.
The stainless steel supplied initially was grade 304 in 0.8mm thickness, and then grade 316 was introduced in the same thickness for additional corrosion resistance. “We were also among the forerunners of just-in-time production, making daily airfreight deliveries from Manchester airport to Belfast,” highlights Turner.
Around 9,200 DeLoreans were manufactured in Belfast between 1981 and 1983. Turner estimates that two-thirds of those still exist.
From an isle to the big screen
The US car market hit a slump, and the DeLorean production lines were closed in 1983. However, in 1985 the car made a comeback as a time machine in the hugely successful Back to the Future franchise.
“I remember hearing about the movies early on, but to be honest, it was not a big deal. We were just grateful to have jobs,” says Turner. He recalls that the sci-fi adventure was not the only film the car was up for. “There were talks of using it in Bond movies, too.”
Testing the car’s time travel potential is not in the plans for Turner who will retire this year. “I last saw a DeLorean twenty years ago,” he chuckles, adding that his future will be devoted to family and football.
Published Apr 10, 2015