DeLorean: The Rise, Fall, And Second Acts Of The DeLorean Motor Company

Friends, neighbors, everyone… Here’s another great (ONLY IN LA) opportunity for fans to meet the people who make our LACar motoring world so interesting and intriguing … live and in person:

LA’s own, classic, one-of-kind, unique, storied bookstore, AutoBooks (conveniently located in beautiful downtown Burbank … honest!) will be hosting the well-known and prolific author Matt Stone on Saturday, October 5th from 11:00AM – 3:00PM as he discusses the DeLorean legend and signs copies of his great new and very long-titled (see below) book about the fabled and controversial man and his euphoniously-named shiny automobile (book notes follow).

BTW - If you can’t make the above live show in Burbank on the 5th, Autobooks will very conveniently have personally signed copies of this amazing stainless steel saga available for fans to pick up at the shop or have shipped shortly thereafter.

The tale you thought you knew: In DeLorean: The Rise, Fall, and Second Acts of the DeLorean Motor Company, journalist and author Matt Stone recounts the life and career of John Z. DeLorean, from his influential tenure at General Motors, where he played a pivotal role launching the Pontiac GTO and igniting 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.

Despite its American roots, the DeLorean Motor Company's story weaves together a fascinating blend of Italian design, British financial backing, and a purpose-built factory in politically charged Belfast.

The story takes a dramatic turn beginning in 1982, as DeLorean is ensnared in a drug sting, leading to the company's bankruptcy. Though John DeLorean was acquitted ultimately, the original DMC was done all too soon. After his Los Angeles drug-trafficking trial, John DeLorean dedicated the rest of his life to resurrecting his car, his reputation, and his company — albeit with limited success.

Unexpectedly, the DeLorean car gained a new following based on its starring role in the 1985 blockbuster "Back to the Future” and its two sequels. Since DMC's bankruptcy in 1982, various entities have persistently sought to revive the brand for modern times, today's marketplace, and new audiences.  Rather than consignment to the dustbin of automotive obscurity, the DeLorean has achieved pop-culture status and remains well recognized, with growing appreciation today. 

In “DeLorean”, misconceptions about the iconic DMC are dispelled, revealing the accurate and comprehensive tale. Author Matt Stone delves deep into the car's design, development, engineering, and the intriguing missteps encountered during production.

The book is richly illustrated with archival design photos (many never before published) from Italdesign (now Italdesign Giugiaro) alongside period ads and contemporary images. Whether you're a car enthusiast, automotive historian, or a pop-culture aficionado, this journey promises an intriguing and enjoyable ride.

Author Matt Stone former executive editor of Motor Trend magazine, has been a professional automotive journalist and photographer since 1985. He’s 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.  - Above courtesy of MOTORBOOKS, the Publisher

Stone’s fun telling: ISKY Ed Iskenderian and The History of Hot Rodding and his James Garner’s Motoring Life (both published by Car Tech) are here also very highly recommended.