How to Draw a Delorean DMC

In this tutorial you will learn how to draw a DeLorean DMC, the legendary car forever linked to the movie “Back to the Future.”

Designer Giorgetto Giugiaro captured the very spirit of the 1980s in this car, with its angular lines, unusual and futuristic interior, and iconic doors, while also showcasing his signature design touches.

In this tutorial, we will take a closer look at this work of art and show the most simplified version to draw a DeLorean DMC.

In addition, we will also learn what exactly made this car so legendary and how it influenced modern automotive design in many ways.

How to draw a Delorean DMC: step-by-step tutorial

Step 1 – Sketch the classic 80’s wedge silhouette

The body of the DeLorean is made in the classic wedge-shaped manner of supercars from the 80s. In this first step, sketch this very angular wedge-shaped body in the form of a light sketch, just like we did in the Lamborghini Countach drawing tutorial. Create a long, flat hood and flat roofline. The proportions should be sharp and geometric, so avoid rounded strokes.

Step 2 – Mark the windows and wheels of your Delorean DMC

Almost every detail (such as the mirrors and window lines) in this car is angular, as if the designers used only a ruler when creating it. But this of course does not apply to the wheels. So now, add two large circles for the wheels at the bottom. Then, sketch the window outline as a long, narrow strip at the top of the wedge-shaped body. Finally, lightly indicate the position of the side mirror.

Step 3 – Sketch the rims and gullwing door outline

We continue to sketch angular and not very angular details of the 80s iconic sports car. Let’s sketch the wing door that is sufficiently standard for the 80s, bumpers, and large arches. But first, outline the wheel arches with curves and add rims inside the tire shapes.

Step 4 – Refine front bumper and hood with sharp lines

So now it looks like it’s time to grab a ruler or pay extra attention because we’re going to draw the Delorean DMC in more detail. Carefully darken the hood edges, adding the iconic vertical division on the very front. Refine the front wheel arch and draw turn lights on the front side.

Step 5 – Refine supercar’s the angular roof and windows

Despite its stunning design, the DMC-12 wasn’t very comfortable, in part because of its windows. Trace the roofline with precise straight strokes, making it look flat and low. Outline the windshield and side windows with sharp edges. Notice how the side windows are divided into sections and add these divisions for accuracy.

Step 6 – Draw out the DeLorean rear bumper and pipes

Now, we will deal with the rear of this 80s supercar. Outline the trunk anrea and rear bumper with bold straight and angular lines. Sketch the exhaust pipe below the bumper, making it small but visible. Finally, refine the wheel arches at the back.

Step 7 – Detail the iconic gullwing door and moldings

In this seventh step, straight lines dominate. Draw out the Delorean DMC gullwing door outline, giving it sharp, angular borders. Place the rectangular handle close to the middle. Add the horizontal molding line that runs across the side. Trace the side skirt at the bottom edge.

Step 8 – Draw the DeLorean’s 80s-style rims

This sports car has very recognizable eighties-style rims. We think you remember how they look. But for simplicity of drawing in this guide, we used a little more simple rims. To recreate them, inside each wheel, draw concentric circles for the hubs. Then, add multiple small spokes around the inner circle to mimic the 80s style rims.

Step 9 – Add shadows to create a 3D effect

It’s time for the finishing touches: shadows and highlights. Draw them as we did in the image below to transform your two-dimensional sketch into a cool three-dimensional illustration of a DeLorean DMC-12. Darken the lower edges of the panes and surfaces. Add simple hatching on the windows to show reflections.

The influence of DeLorean design on modern cars

As mentioned above, this car literally exudes the spirit of the 80s. Lines, as if sketched by a ruler, futuristic design, and impetuous view.

And if you always dreamed of learning how to sketch a DeLorean DMC-12, now you are able to do it!

This iconic sports car left a noticeable mark on both car design and popular culture. Its brushed stainless steel body panels rejected traditional paint finishes and anticipated today’s fascination with raw materials and industrial aesthetics.

Many modern concept cars use exposed carbon fiber or unpainted metal in a similar way, emphasizing surface texture as part of the design language.

The wedge-shaped profile, with its sharp character lines and low stance, also set a precedent for modern sports car proportions.

You can see it in our sports car drawing tutorial, where we also cover the most important fundamentals in sketching this type of a car body.

Current performance models often combine flowing aerodynamics with geometric creases, a balance that traces back to the DeLorean’s angular yet futuristic silhouette.

Perhaps its strongest influence comes through media and cultural visibility. After “Back to the Future,” the gull-wing doors became a global design symbol, later echoed in cars like the Mercedes SLS AMG or Tesla Model X.

To learn more, you can visit our Tesla Model X drawing tutorial.

In these cases, the doors are not just functional but act as a branding element, creating a recognition impact.

In many ways, this car also inspired a whole generation of automotive designers who were still children when it was first released and who are now creating today’s modern vehicles

Our team of artists – myself included – is no exception. In my own work, when drawing cars, I have often taken inspiration from this legendary vehicle as well as from many other cars of that era with similar shapes.