As a young boy, Frisina dreamed of one day flying a plane and, at age 15, obtained his first pilot licence.

A few years ago, he decided to return to his studies and qualify as a pilot and flight instructor.

Frisina, whose grandparents migrated to Sydney from small towns in Abruzzo and Calabria in the 1950s, also loves design, music, fashion and computers – especially from the 1980s and 1990s.

“The first time I saw the DeLorean was, as for many other people, in Back to the Future,” Frisina says.

“My love for the film, combined with my passion for classic cars, made me fall in love with the car and its lines.”

In 2011, at 29 years old, Frisina decided it was time to invest in a special car, but wasn’t sure what he wanted.

“I visited a friend in Canberra who took me to see the car he’d just bought,” he says.

As soon as Frisina laid eyes on the DeLorean in his friend’s garage, he instantly knew that he had to have one of his own.

The DeLorean, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, was commissioned by an American businessman who gave the company its name.

The resulting model featured a car with gull wings and an unpainted stainless steel body.

The company also released three cars that were covered in pure gold.

Shortly after, the DeLorean Motor Company went bankrupt, halting production with only 6000 models on the market.

Frisina began his own search for a DeLorean, which he eventually found in the United States, listed on eBay.

The car was reportedly in excellent condition, with an authenticated history.

John Frisina pictured with his DeLorean

“I took a big risk and bought the car off eBay, without ever having seen it,” Frisina said.

“They took a photo of the car being loaded onto a truck at the start of the shipping process; then, for three months, I had no news.

“I was really starting to worry but then the phone rang and they told me the car had arrived!

“The first time I drove it I was so excited; it was a dream come true.

“It wasn’t at all straightforward, as the car has left-hand drive, a manual gearbox and no power steering.

“It took me a while to get used to it, but now it’s relaxing and fun, especially since it attracts a lot of attention.

“When I drive it down the street, everyone smiles, takes a picture and stops to ask me questions.

“It’s like going out with a movie star.”

Frisina began driving the car on a daily basis, before he realised that the car was quite delicate.

Now, he only drives the car for special occasions or to participate in dedicated events.

“For my everyday commute, I drive a 1996 Volvo 850,” he says.

Due to its cinematic appearances, the DeLorean has become intrinsically linked to the 1980s.

A group of DeLoreans at Uluru, where Frisina attended a meeting with other car enthusiasts

“In Australia, there are about 100 DeLoreans,” Frisina explains.

“Not everyone likes to exhibit them, but we gather with those that do.

“Before the pandemic, we met with a group of collectors from New South Wales and Queensland.

“I also went to Uluru to meet a group of Germans who travelled the world in their DeLoreans.”

Frisina’s car has blossomed into more than the fruits of a hobby – it has offered its owner innumerable opportunities that he would have never otherwise had.

“Thanks to the DeLorean, I’ve had some very meaningful experiences and have met incredible people with whom I now share friendships.

“The car has had a profound and positive impact on my life – something which no other car would have given me.”