Archive footage from 1981 shows reporter at DeLorean launch in California discussing whether it'll be a success

1981 was a pivotal year in the history of the DeLorean Motor Company.

It was that year that saw the launch of the now-iconic DMC-12 in California.

Some BBC footage has been going viral on the internet from 1981, showing a reporter attending the launch.

And the footage, discussing whether the DeLorean will be a success, is eerily foreboding.

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Reporter heads to California to check out the DeLorean hype

After a couple of years of major delays, the DeLorean Motor Company finally launched its flagship car in 1981.

DeLorean held the launch for the DMC-12 in 1981 – and one reporter headed to California to see it for himself.

Recently re-released footage from the BBC Archive, originally from May 15th, 1981, remembers when the reporter covered the launch.

BBC Reporter Gavin Esler was dispatched to California to report on the hype surrounding DeLorean.

And the report, in its entirety, proves to be eerily foreboding when discussing if it will be a success.

Back in 1981, fuel prices in America were still very high – and only continuing to climb.

As a result, the brands of Japan, such as Datsun and Mazda, were continuing to dominate.

This led Esler to question why some dealers were so eager to become official stockists of the brand.

A common, major thread that appears to be behind the enthusiasm is the popularity of John DeLorean himself.

The single biggest problem, as noted by BBC reporter Esler, was the price point of the DeLorean.

Having initially been slated to be sold for around $12,000, various delays and issues took the price to over $25,000.

By contrast, DMC’s biggest rivals were selling for around $16,000 each – a far more affordable price.

Merrill Lynch executive predicts downfall to a tee

Harvey Heinbach, then an automotive analyst – and vice president of Securities – at Merrill Lynch, was interviewed.

And it is his prediction that proved to be almost frighteningly accurate.

“I think the odds of DeLorean being successful are less than 50/50”, Heinbach said.

“The main risk that we see is their ability to achieve the goal of 30,000 units per year.”

“I think that goal may have been achievable at the car’s original price tag (of $12,000).”

And Heinbach’s adept analysis proved to be almost spot-on in terms of accuracy.

The car was riddled with quality and supply issues from the very beginning.

Coupled with that, its price tag made it extremely uncompetitive compared to its rivals.

There was, of course, the small matter of John DeLorean getting arrested for cocaine trafficking in October 1982.

The DeLorean plant in the North of Ireland (in Dunmurry) ultimately closed towards the end of 1982.

It marked the end of one of the most disruptive, yet troubled chapters in automotive history.