Today In History with The Retrospectors

The DeLorean Dream

Jan 21, 2025
Dive into the fascinating journey of the DeLorean DMC-12, a car marketed as a luxury icon but plagued by performance woes. Discover how John DeLorean's ambition led him from the spotlight to a $24 million cocaine conspiracy. Learn about the misguided production efforts in Northern Ireland, where untrained workers and corporate deception reign supreme. The DeLorean's unexpected fame in 'Back to the Future' almost took a different route with a Mustang, adding a quirky twist to this automotive saga.
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ANECDOTE

DeLorean's Cocaine Scandal

  • John DeLorean, the creator of the DeLorean car, was embroiled in a $24 million cocaine conspiracy.
  • This controversy made headlines during the production of "Back to the Future," influencing the choice of the time machine car.
INSIGHT

DeLorean's Unconventional Persona

  • John DeLorean cultivated a celebrity image, unusual for car company executives.
  • He embraced Hollywood, plastic surgery, and married a much younger model, showcasing his ambition.
INSIGHT

DeLorean's Ambitious Return

  • DeLorean's return to the car industry with his own sports car was met with excitement.
  • Initially, he projected a very ambitious timeline, promising a finished product within a year, which proved unrealistic.
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