The DeLorean prototype in line with the 1981 competition:-
The Corvette, Mercedes SL and the Porsche 911
In the DeLorean's first year it even outsold the 911

John’s favourite car was the Mercedes 300SL Gullwing which was why he wanted gullwings on his car despite opposition from the engineering team at Lotus. John’s resolution was sound as the final door design proved to be more practical than conventional doors (needing only around 11 inches of opening space).  The gullwings and the stainless steel proved to be the DeLorean’s signature attributes.