Asheville once had a DeLorean dealership. It didn't go well.

The car later gained iconic status in 'Back to the Future,' but flopped in Asheville

With its unmistakable stainless steel body and gullwing doors, the DeLorean DMC-12 made its Asheville debut during an Aug. 31, 1981, sales event at the Grove Park Inn. This photo, taken earlier this year, was made possible by DeLorean owner Alvan Judson./ photo by Heath Towson

This newsletter sponsored by Citizens Fuel Co., a family-owned Asheville company. This newsletter also marks the start of a collaboration with Asheville historian Heath Towson, who has fantastic knowledge of various aspects of the city’s past, including some colorful car history.

By Heath Towson

Asheville has been host to many unique and high-end car brands over the years, but few carried the mystique of John DeLorean, a brilliant, flamboyant auto industry engineer, and his upstart DeLorean Motor Company. In 1981 Asheville became home to the only Delorean dealer in Western North Carolina and one of 10 DeLorean dealers in the stat.

During his years coming up in the auto industry, DeLorean had built a strong connection to General Motors, where he was quite successful, and its network of Chevrolet dealers. That network would later bring his DeLorean DMC-12 to the masses, and to Asheville.