John DeLorean came from a humble background, but since joining GM, the largest at this time car factory in the world, a fabulous career done up to vice president. He is for example responsible with the appearance of the GTO and the Firebird for Pontiac and later for Chevrolet. Only his extravagant lifestyle and his arrogance probably not at all fit to the style of a usually very conservative concern director. In 1975, he goes in anger and decides to establish his own car factory and to show it his former colleagues.

In the civil war-torn Northern Ireland with 25 percent unemployment, he receives nearly 100 million subsidies of the British government and wants to add twice as much from his own or borrowed capital. The first project he has in mind is a sports car, he can develop from one of the most popular designer (Giugiaro). The resulting form it is probably that the heart beat faster almost everywhere, but especially in USA. The original concept of a mid-engine sports car is still in demand in 1975, not only in U.S.

Unfortunately, nothing will come of it, because as a sole proprietor with small numbers still can not build the power drive. And that Ford does not supply an ex-GM man and possible competitor, DeLorean would have imagine actually. Thus, despite building progress of the factory, the project dragged. Even for a development order at Porsche the time will be too short. As power drive is found only the engine used of Peugeot, Renault and Volvo, due to the oil-price crisis trimmed from V8 to V6, so probably the 90° cylinder angles.

Because e.g. in the Renault 30 used as front-wheel drive, it fits together with the gear unit in the DeLorean, however, allegedly due to its height no more than mid-mounted engine. Colin Chapman, who finally takes over the development conceived it as a rear engine because of the short time and connects it with the front axle with a beautiful to behold backbone type frame, that both front and rear diverges in the form of a fork. Amazingly, that despite these gentle interior design, there is very little space for tall people on the driver's seat.

Even worse, it will be with the engine performance. Already for a sports car particularly scarce, takes the just upcomingEmissions legislation (with catalytic converter, etc.) so much of the already not abundant 96 kW (131 hp), that in the end, despite increase in displacement from 2.7 to 2.85 liters remain only 95 kW (130 hp) and the this time are even measured according to SAE standard. So it still should to be fast nearly 200 km/h, of adequate acceleration you can not talk.

It was not until January 1981 to December 1982 that it comes to the production of approximately 9,000 vehicles. It costs $ 25,000 at first and later significantly more. Allegedly it is designed to be especially durable, what he owes his stainless steel car body shell. All DeLorean thus have the same painting. Simultaneously, the material is though harder and more difficult to process than normal steel plate, whereby the processing suffers too equal clearance. Indeed, it said to have been not the best with the processing.

Between car body shell and backbone type frame the actual body consists of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, by the sensational wing doors are easier to handle. Which there are probably that give the car still such an attention. Maybe the installation of the 'flux capacitor' between both seats, the from the sports car in the cartoon series 'Back to the Future' makes a time machine. And that's by far not the only film in which the car acts.

His producer John DeLorean has brought the car in any case no luck. Looking for more financiers he comes to drug-dealers and get caught with them. Over the luxurious life and marriage with supermodel and actress Christina Ferrara. John DeLorean died aged 80 in 2005 at a brain impact. 01/12