In the annals of automotive history, there perhaps isn't a stranger saga than that of John DeLorean, inventor and maker of the DeLorean sports coupe. DeLorean was a charismatic genius who was an engineer employed by GM in the 1960s. Because of his innovative design ideas in all areas of production, from engine to interior ergonomic improvement, he quickly rose through the ranks of the GM executive machine and was made a VP at the unheard age of 45.

He had undeniable style and panache, and his ideas were all ahead of his time. It was in the late 1970s when he came upon the idea of a revolutionary new car, which he named after himself. The DeLorean car was to have a number of new features like a stainless steel frame, wing-like fold-up doors, an anti-theft mechanism, passive-restraint seat belts, and an on-board computer.

The story then takes a classically tragic turn. Because of his uncanny ability get what he wanted, DeLorean persuaded the British government to build a massive factory in Northern Ireland, specifically for the purpose of building DeLoreans. Production problems arose from the start, and by the time production prematurely came to a close, only 8,583 DeLoreans had entered the consumer market.

The DeLorean's most famous triumph was perhaps not on the road, but on the big screen, as it was the car that starred in the Back to the Future trilogy of movies. Despite all the turmoil surrounding these cars and their inventor, when you see one, you take notice. There will likely never be another car like the DMC DeLorean. Because of their value to collectors, it's not everyday that you'll see a DeLorean for sale.