2. DeLorean DMC-12
The DeLorean DMC-12 is etched into popular memory thanks to its starring role in Back to the Future, but its real-world impact goes deeper.
With a brushed stainless steel body and dramatic gull-wing doors, the DeLorean broke every mold in car design. While it failed commercially, its futuristic styling and bold engineering choices encouraged other manufacturers to take creative risks.
Its legacy as a cultural icon and design pioneer is explored in Smithsonian Magazine.