The DeLorean DMC-12 is certainly one of the most legendary cars of the 1980s, not only because it was transformed into a time machine in the film trilogy "Back to the Future", but also because legends, myths and dramas surround its creation and demise.
With 8583 cars built in a relatively short space of time, the DeLorean was not actually that unsuccessful, except that its initiator John DeLorean had much bigger plans and had them financed.
The rapid rise of the John DeLorean
For John DeLorean, "success" did not fall from the sky, he had to work for it. However, his rapid career shaped the young man to such an extent that he was unlikely to shy away from anything in later years. In the first part of the book, Michael Schäfer therefore describes the key stages of his rise, as well as the difficulties and obstacles.
At the age of 48, DeLorean was dismissed from General Motors, offended and at the same time encouraged that he actually knew better. And so the desire to build his own car with the name DeLorean makes a lot of sense to him.
The development
The book devotes a considerable number of pages to the creation and development of the car, and this is a good thing, because you learn many details that are highly interesting in retrospect. Among other things, a Wankel engine from Comotor (a joint venture between Citroën and NSU) was planned as the engine and the overall weight was aimed at less than 1000 kg, although a high safety standard was aimed for.
The gullwing doors were also controversial; DeLorean consultant Ludvigsen, for example, advised against them, but for marketing and stability reasons they were installed after all.
Production
For the development of the production-ready vehicle, DeLorean worked with Colin Chapman (Lotus), who was happy to receive a well-paid development contract when his sponsor JPS pulled out at short notice. DeLorean was not bothered by the fact that hardly anything of the original safety concept remained. The fact that the Lotus Esprit provided the basis for the new sports car was of little concern to Chapman, as he was struggling with the American market anyway.
The first production of the Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed DMC-12 in 1981 took place in Dumurry, Northern Ireland, where the dazzling John Zachary DeLorean wanted to build an "ethical car". On the one hand, this was to be the realization of his sports car dream and, on the other, a reckoning with his ex-board colleagues in Detroit. In fact, alongside the production of the DMC-12, it became one of the biggest economic dramas in automotive history.
The downfall
John DeLorean's plans were as gigantic as its downfall. He talked of night buses, four-seater versions of the DMC-12 and faster versions. But in the end, it went down with great fanfare and enormous losses for those involved.
With buying advice
Michael Schäfer's book not only provides a complete history of the DeLorean DMC-12, but also a compact buyer's guide that gives the car the robust nature of a VW Golf.
These pages are supplemented with the technical data of the Gullwing. Those interested in the DeLorean might have hoped for this section to be a little more comprehensive, but for those with a more general interest, the level of detail is perfect.
Extensive photo documentation
What makes the book particularly valuable, apart from Schäfer's fluently written text, are the approximately 200 pictures in color and black and white, which show many details of the prototypes and the production version and also give a comprehensive insight into the life of John DeLorean.
Not just for DeLorean fans
The DeLorean DMC-12 already polarized people during its lifetime, and this is no different as a classic car. However, Michael Schäfer's book manages to captivate even those who neither have one of the almost 9,000 stainless steel sports cars built in their garage nor want to buy one.
The story of the rise and fall of the John DeLorean is grippingly written, and the information on development and production is also of interest beyond the niche sports car. For Euro 29.90, this beautifully produced book offers more than real value for money. Anyone who doesn't have it yet - it was published back in 2011 - should pick it up soon, because who knows whether there will be a second edition.
Bibliographic information
- Title: Too early for the future - the DeLorean drama
- Author: Michael Schäfer
- Language: German
- Publisher: Delius Klasing
- Edition: 1st edition September 23, 2011
- Size: 192 pages, 99 color photos, 90 b/w photos, 14 color illustrations
- Format: 23.9 x 27.2 cm, hardcover with dust jacket
- ISBN-10: 376883364X
- ISBN-13: 978-3768833646
- Price: Euro 29.90, CHF 40.90 (as of March 2015)
- Order/buy: Online at amazon.de
, at the publisher Delius Klasing or in well-assorted bookstores
