cars news 10: Check Out the DeLorean DMC-12s We Saw at the Petersen Automotive Museum

The 1981 DeLorean that served as a time machine for “Back to the Future” now resides at the Petersen Automotive Museum. To celebrate the occasion, the museum invited DeLorean owners to gather at this month’s Breakfast Club Cruise-In. Take a look at some of the wild DeLoreans we spotted:

Not A Common Sight, Even in L.A.

It’s rare to see more than 20 DeLoreans in the same place at one time. The DeLorean DMC-12 was produced between January 1981 and December 1982, so it’s far from a common sight even in a car-capital like Los Angeles. Although about 9,200 were made, it’s estimated that only 6,500 DeLoreans are still around today.

The Gold-Plated Version

Before the car officially went into production, DeLorean teamed up with American Express to promote a special gold-plated version in late 1980. Unique 24-karat gold-plated DeLoreans were listed in American Express’ Christmas catalog for $85,000, more than three times the asking price for a standard DeLorean. The gold DeLorean shown here is one of three ever made, and it currently lives at the Petersen Automotive Museum. It only has 9 miles on the odometer.

The Star of the Show

The DeLorean time machine was the star of the show. You can’t miss it thanks to its giant lightening rod and exposed wiring. Inside, you’ll notice clever props, including a “Save the Clock Tower” flyer. Read more about the process of restoring the movie car here.

DeLorean DMC 12 Time Machine w Lightening Rod

DeLorean Vanity Plates

Today, the major impetus for buying a DeLorean is its relation to “Back to the Future.” About a third of the DeLoreans we spotted at the event had a vanity license plate referencing the movie.

How to Make Your DeLorean Stand Out in a Sea of Stainless Steel

If there’s one thing the DeLorean didn’t offer, it’s aesthetic variation. Other than the special gold-plated versions, the cars were all built in a stainless steel finish, and buyers could choose from a gray or black interior. But a hoverboard and some BTTF memorabilia will always help make your interior stand out.

Beautiful Doors, But …

Despite its beautiful gullwing doors, the DeLorean wasn’t really a sports car. The car’s original 2.9-liter V-6 was, let’s just say, less than time-travel worthy. We previously reported that GM’s 6.2-liter LS3 V-8 was one possible engine that could make its way into DMC-12 replicas set to hit the market by 2017.

Additional information from DeLoreanMuseum.org.