John DeLorean, the creator of the DMC-12 car, the "back to the Future" car, has passed he was 80. http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/03/20/obit.delorean/index.html I guess he can now drive in heaven in style and grace. Thanks for the DeLorean car, John you'll be missed. He also worked for GM, and designed or had a hand in many GM cars. SSGT S.Williams
------------------ 1988 Fiero Formula T-tops CJB 143 of 1252 "factory T-top cars"
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03:19 PM
PFF
System Bot
Wichita Member
Posts: 20685 From: Wichita, Kansas Registered: Jun 2002
I guess he will be known for two things. The Delorean car and massive Cocain trafficing.
Wichita, you should at least check your facts before posting statements like this. Delorean was fully aquitted by a unanimous jury of all charges. That means he was found innocent in case you don't know what aquittal means.
It was determined that the government broke the law to use tactics that entrapped him.
JazzMan
[This message has been edited by JazzMan (edited 03-20-2005).]
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03:52 PM
dezie36 Member
Posts: 2501 From: Moved to Okemos, Mi, USA Registered: Feb 2005
Oh no! Thats sad. I even had his phone number and wanted to visit him. According to everyone he was a nice down to earth guy and people on many occasions just drove and hung out with him (Well, I don't know on many occasions, but I know of many who did). I was watching the news about a month ago and I kind of woke up at 4am and heard the news guy go "And happy birthday to John Z. DeLorean" And the other guy was like "What? WHy are we saying that. I haven't heard his name in 20 years"..Kind of chuckled at that. Truly sad
If what he says is true, and I've read all the biographies there is, he actually didn't know he was dealing with cocaine dealers until it was too late.. He wrote a note in an envelope saying do not open it until I am found dead, and the note said "yada yada, I think I have got caught up with cocaine dealers, I will try to get them to invest in DeLorean Motor Company...." I can scan that I would think if anyone wants to read it.. He was afraid of what would happen if they brought out the cocaine and he said no (At least according to him and his attorneys). Not guilty due to the fact that without the government, he would never have been put in that situation anyways (It was government who placed the call in the first place to him).
I think in the long run the GTO will be his legacy, that was his masterpiece - right man in the right place at the right time
he changed the culture and thinking in Detroit
DMC? as a car and as a business, that was a failure.
PS: CNN's knowledge of his accomplishments SUCKS!
__________________________________ From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
1965 Pontiac GTO convertible.
The Pontiac GTO was a muscle car from Pontiac manufactured from 1964 to 1974. Many consider it to be the first true muscle car, since it was the first based on a mid-size platform rather than the full-size cars that earlier performance models had been based on.
Pontiac got the name from Ferrari's GTO (Grand Turismo Omologato). Actually omologato (or homologated in English) means that the model is truly a production car, there having been at least a hundred made — certainly the case with the Pontiac GTO. The car was nicknamed "The Great One" by Pontiac, and "the Goat" by fans.
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[This message has been edited by Ken Wittlief (edited 03-20-2005).]
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05:30 PM
Wichita Member
Posts: 20685 From: Wichita, Kansas Registered: Jun 2002
Wichita, you should at least check your facts before posting statements like this. Delorean was fully aquitted by a unanimous jury of all charges. That means he was found innocent in case you don't know what aquittal means.
It was determined that the government broke the law to use tactics that entrapped him.
JazzMan
You got something against me?
I just said he would be known for it. I didn't say he did it, just known for it.
This is truly devastating news to me. The DeLorean is my favorite car, and I have always dreamed of meeting Him one day, just to say thanks for creating what I believe is the greatest automobile of all time. He will truly be missed by many. Someone asked me once, "Who is your idol?" and I said, "John DeLorean, because he built a car company from nothing, and was able to design and build his car, and sell it to the masses, accomplishing what noone thought was possible, even if only for a short time." Someday I will own a DeLorean, and 'Live the Dream.' Goodbye John, and God Bless
This is truly devastating news to me. The DeLorean is my favorite car, and I have always dreamed of meeting Him one day, just to say thanks for creating what I believe is the greatest automobile of all time. He will truly be missed by many. Someone asked me once, "Who is your idol?" and I said, "John DeLorean, because he built a car company from nothing, and was able to design and build his car, and sell it to the masses, accomplishing what noone thought was possible, even if only for a short time." Someday I will own a DeLorean, and 'Live the Dream.' Goodbye John, and God Bless
Not only that, but his creation was the centerpiece of one of the greatest movie Trilogies in history.
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06:14 PM
Fieros_Forever Member
Posts: 950 From: Alabama, United States Registered: Oct 2002
I heard this on a DeLorean forum this morning, and was devastated. I had so much respect for him. He had a dream and did what most people never do; made his dream come true. Even if he only produced a little over 9,000 cars, that is more than most people that wanted to start up a car company can say. Look at Tucker.
I am currently looking for a DeLorean as we speak, so this affects me in two ways. One is that I hate to see an automotive great pass away, and also I must now watch the DeLorean market to see how his death affects prices. People are predicting them to take a jump, or a temporary one at least, in price. I'll wait to see.
For the person that asked where they were manufactured, Dumurry Ireland. For two reasons. One was, of course labor costs. It was cheaper even then to manufacture overseas. Everyone did not have to drive a Caddy. While it would have gone over better if he would have produced them in the USA, He was a start-up company, and had to go where the cheaper prices were.(England was also going to finance 80% of the sticker price of all of the cars that were shipped out of their ports, which would come to around $16,000 dollars a car, but that's another story.)
Also, John DeLorean was raised a Catholic, and there were plenty of them in Dumurry. He saw it as a way to give people who had never had a steady job that paid well a chance. They also had a long standing history of metal working. He thought that would be good for the stainless steel bodies that they were producing.
He employed 2,000 plant people at the peak of production. Not bad for a company that small.
He will be truly missed.
Here is a picture of a DeLorean that I am looking at. Great price, and in MO. Not far from Alabama where I am.
R.I.P John Zachary DeLorean.
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06:49 PM
dezie36 Member
Posts: 2501 From: Moved to Okemos, Mi, USA Registered: Feb 2005
I heard this on a DeLorean forum this morning, and was devastated. I had so much respect for him. He had a dream and did what most people never do; made his dream come true. Even if he only produced a little over 9,000 cars, that is more than most people that wanted to start up a car company can say. Look at Tucker.
I am currently looking for a DeLorean as we speak, so this affects me in two ways. One is that I hate to see an automotive great pass away, and also I must now watch the DeLorean market to see how his death affects prices. People are predicting them to take a jump, or a temporary one at least, in price. I'll wait to see.
For the person that asked where they were manufactured, Dumurry Ireland. For two reasons. One was, of course labor costs. It was cheaper even then to manufacture overseas. Everyone did not have to drive a Caddy. While it would have gone over better if he would have produced them in the USA, He was a start-up company, and had to go where the cheaper prices were.(England was also going to finance 80% of the sticker price of all of the cars that were shipped out of their ports, which would come to around $16,000 dollars a car, but that's another story.)
Also, John DeLorean was raised a Catholic, and there were plenty of them in Dumurry. He saw it as a way to give people who had never had a steady job that paid well a chance. They also had a long standing history of metal working. He thought that would be good for the stainless steel bodies that they were producing.
He employed 2,000 plant people at the peak of production. Not bad for a company that small.
He will be truly missed.
Here is a picture of a DeLorean that I am looking at. Great price, and in MO. Not far from Alabama where I am.
R.I.P John Zachary DeLorean.
What price could one expect to pay for one?
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06:56 PM
Fieros_Forever Member
Posts: 950 From: Alabama, United States Registered: Oct 2002
This one is on for $17,000. It is a one owner car, though. Average price for one right now is around $15,000. If you are good mechanically, you can purchase one for around $12,000 that may need some work. The two things that you have to look for is rusting frames(they were epoxy dipped at the factory as opposed to undercoating, and the epoxy tended to flake off as years passed) and also they are bad about contaminated fuel systems when they sit up for a long time.
Still you can drive a car this awesome for less than the price of a good new car. Most people consider them exoics. That is why I like them so much.
I'm good mechanically, so I can go either way. I don't know how the death of Mr. DeLorean will affect the market, though. Should be interesting to watch over the summer months.
I just said he would be known for it. I didn't say he did it, just known for it.
You said he would be known for "...massive Cocain trafficing."
Actually, he will be known for creating the Delorean car and for being tricked into a fake drug money laundering scheme by the government and being aquitted.
I just don't like it when people spread around half-truths about people I respect.
You said he would be known for "...massive Cocain trafficing."
Actually, he will be known for creating the Delorean car and for being tricked into a fake drug money laundering scheme by the government and being aquitted.
I just don't like it when people spread around half-truths about people I respect.
JazzMan
Well I've now heard and read multiple reports about his death and guess what..they mentioned cocaine bust every time. So yes that in my opinion will be something he will be remembered for.
RIP John...Beautiful car and it seemed like a good man who made one dumb decision. I hope I'm wrong and people forget about the drug charges and just remember hims for the cars he built for us.
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07:39 PM
The Aura Member
Posts: 2290 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Nov 2001
John De Lorean is the father of the muscle car. He stuffed a big engine in a small car to create the GTO behind management's back. The rest is history. He also will be remembered for the cocaine sting set up and his namesake car. May he rest in peace.
Truely sad news, I love teh Delorean car. Gorgeous sports car. Proud to say Ive got one! Delorean was one of the greatest engineers and certainly the most daring. He will be missed greatly. RIP John.
"Live the Dream"
-Matt
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09:05 PM
Raydar Member
Posts: 40910 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
I heard this on a DeLorean forum this morning, and was devastated. I had so much respect for him. He had a dream and did what most people never do; made his dream come true. Even if he only produced a little over 9,000 cars, that is more than most people that wanted to start up a car company can say. Look at Tucker.
I am currently looking for a DeLorean as we speak, so this affects me in two ways. One is that I hate to see an automotive great pass away, and also I must now watch the DeLorean market to see how his death affects prices. People are predicting them to take a jump, or a temporary one at least, in price. I'll wait to see.
For the person that asked where they were manufactured, Dumurry Ireland. For two reasons. One was, of course labor costs. It was cheaper even then to manufacture overseas. Everyone did not have to drive a Caddy. While it would have gone over better if he would have produced them in the USA, He was a start-up company, and had to go where the cheaper prices were.(England was also going to finance 80% of the sticker price of all of the cars that were shipped out of their ports, which would come to around $16,000 dollars a car, but that's another story.)
Also, John DeLorean was raised a Catholic, and there were plenty of them in Dumurry. He saw it as a way to give people who had never had a steady job that paid well a chance. They also had a long standing history of metal working. He thought that would be good for the stainless steel bodies that they were producing.
He employed 2,000 plant people at the peak of production. Not bad for a company that small.
He will be truly missed.
Here is a picture of a DeLorean that I am looking at. Great price, and in MO. Not far from Alabama where I am.
R.I.P John Zachary DeLorean.
Excellent post, and thanks for the photo. Much like the Fiero, the Delorean was a dream compromised by reality. Really cool cars, except for the Renault engine and other things. And I always admired the man. We need more like him.
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09:56 PM
pokeyfiero Member
Posts: 16203 From: Free America! Registered: Dec 2003
Says there (and I've heard before) that the Fiero was actually a prototype thought of by John Delorean back in the late 60's. He might actually be the "real" father or grandfather of our cars.
The engine was called the PRV V6. PRV = Puegot-Renault-Volvo (a joint venture between the three). IMO it was the only bad part of the car, kinda like the duke in my Fiero
He had a lot to do with Pontiac's great styling and success in the late 60's and early 70's.
My favorite is the 71-72 Grand Prix. The beautiful redesign was his doing and lead to killer sales. The cockpit style wrap-a-round dash was awesome. I owned 3 of them, lots of fond memories...
- 1st one was my high school car, did everything in that car, bought it with 90,000 miles, drove it 3 years and 50,000 miles. The car NEVER let me down.
- 2nd one I restored and painted it Corvette Nassau Blue
- 3rd one was a rust free CA car, had 300,000 miles on the body, rebuilt original motor & trans, rebuilt suspension, original rear end.
That's the car I think of when I hear the name JOHN DELOREAN.
[This message has been edited by Skybax (edited 03-21-2005).]
