Delorean - by Matt Stone (Hardcover)

About the Book

"DeLorean recounts auto industry titan John Z. DeLorean's story, from General Motors executive, to the 1975 founding of DeLorean Motor Company, to its 1982 bankruptcy, and the DeLorean car's subsequent rebirth as pop-culture star in 1985's film Back to the Future as well as efforts to relaunch the brand in the 21st century"--

Book Synopsis

Glory, scandal, downfall, fame, and rebirth--discover the dramatic story of the rebel auto industry titan behind the stainless-steel-bodied, gull-winged sports car we all know and love from Back to the Future.

The tale you thought you knew: DeLorean recounts the life and career of John Z. DeLorean, from his successful career with General Motors, where he was instrumental in launching the Pontiac GTO and jump-starting the '60s muscle car phenomenon, to the founding in 1975 of the DeLorean Motor Company and its 1981 launch of the now-iconic sports car bearing his name.

Although a decidedly American car and company, the DeLorean story blends an interesting cocktail of Italian design, British financial backing, and a built-from-the-ground-up factory in politically fraught Belfast.

The story turns, beginning in 1982, as DeLorean is entrapped in a drug sting and the company goes into bankruptcy. Though John DeLorean was acquitted ultimately, the original DMC was done all too soon.

After the Los Angeles drug-trafficking trial, John DeLorean worked tirelessly, for the rest of his life, to revive his car, his name, and his company--unfortunately with limited success.

Unexpectedly, the DeLorean car gained a new following based on its starring role in the 1985 movie hit Back to the Future (and its two sequels). Since DMC's bankruptcy in 1982, several entities have continued efforts to revive the brand for modern times, today's marketplace, and new audiences.

Rather than consignment to the dustbin of automotive history, the DeLorean has achieved pop-culture status and remains well recognized, with growing appreciation today.

Dispelling common misconceptions about DMC, DeLorean gives you the complete story in one handsomely designed volume illustrated throughout with historic images, period ads, and contemporary photos. Whether you are a car enthusiast, an automotive historian, or a pop-culture fan, you are sure to enjoy the ride.

Review Quotes

"Even if you think you know the DeLorean story, this book makes a good argument for revisiting the saga. It is both reasonably priced and worthy of your attention."

--Logan Gray, Sports Car Market

"Stone has done the unthinkable with DeLorean: The Rise, Fall and Second Acts of the DeLorean Motor Company, he has me searching want ads for a clean DeLorean DMC-12. For anyone wanting to thoroughly explore an icon of automotive history from it's ethos, this is it. And while DeLorean may be a cultural punch-line for drugs and failure to some, this book puts to rest that to that misnomer. A far more realistic portrait of a dedicated, driven and troubled man and company is presented. It makes JZD more relatable and the reader sympathetic to the circumstances surrounding the rise and fall."

--Car Revs Daily

"If you've ever wondered what the real story was behind the DMC-12 and its famous, infamous, and late, inventor, a new book gives insight you might find quite fascinating. In all, it's a very interesting book...you may find you learn quite a bit about DeLorean the man and Delorean the company that you didn't know before."

--Jim Bray, TechnoFile

"...author Matt Stone provides a highly readable overview of that rise, fall and -- to a certain extent -- resurrection in DELOREAN: THE RISE, FALL AND SECOND ACTS OF THE DELOREAN MOTOR COMPANY. The DeLorean story, both personal and professional, is worth reading or, some 40 years after his company went under, retelling."

--David Boldt, Car Data

About the Author

Matt Stone (Camarillo, CA), former executive editor of Motor Trend magazine, has been a professional automotive journalist and photographer since 1985. He is the award-winning author and photographer of several books, including Motorbooks' best-selling 365 Cars You Must Drive, McQueen's Machines, McQueen's Motorcycles, Hot Rod Empire, and The IROC Porsches. He is the co-author, with Preston Lerner of Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman and History's Greatest Automotive Mysteries, Myths, and Rumors Revealed.