THE HISTORY
The most thorough exploration of John DeLorean’s life and legacy ever produced
Based on thousands of recently declassified documents from the British and Irish national archives, and dozens of other primary and secondary sources.
These documents tell a detailed history far different than the one most people have heard. Learn the real facts about the man and his dream car.
DOCUMENTARY SERIES
S1, Episode 1
Evolution of an Automotive Genius
Discover John DeLorean’s early years growing up during the great depression, and his families deep roots in Detroit, it’s auto industry and it’s labor unions.
See The impact of the cities racial tensions on his life, and his early innovations at Packard Motor. Explore the early events that would lead John DeLorean to becoming one of the most influential automakers of all time.
S1, Episode 2
From Tempests to Tigers
Explore John DeLorean’s early days at General Motors and the Rise of the Iconic Pontiac GTO.
Delve deep into how JZD was responsible for the stellar success of Pontiac in the 1970’s See how the automotive establishment pushed back on his “outsider” ideas, and stifled his vision of the automotive future.
S1, Episode 3
To the Moon and Beyond
John DeLorean was instrumental in getting air bags to become a standard safety system in cars. He pioneered some of the early work on electric vehicles and consulted on the design of the moon rover.
Learn about these and many other lesser known accomplishments in DeLorean’s latter years at GM. All while he continually fought GM management to pursue his vision of what automobiles should be.
S1, Episode 4
The Last Straw
S1, Episode 5
A New Start
Follow John DeLorean as he ventures out on his own after leaving GM. Journey through his years as a consultant, his work with Malcolm Bricklin, the hiring of trusted former GM employees to prototype his dream car: The DeLorean Safety Vehicle. JZD begins his “tell all” book that would become known as “On a Clear Day You can See General Motors.”
S1, Episode 6
Prototypes, Factories and Financiers
The construction of the First Prototype DeLorean DMC-12, known as “Proto 1” begins. John has his first child, Kathryn, and makes preparations for a DeLorean dealer network. John receives two competing and compelling offers to fund a factory and production operations: one from Puerto Rico, and another from Northern Ireland.
S1, Episode 7
Sabotage
Take a deep dive into the negotiations between John DeLorean and the Northern Ireland Development Agency, the confidential contracts, and previously-classifed agreements. John and his team struggle to get a fair deal, while the British Government does everything they can to extort and cripple DMCL, before it even gets off the ground.
S2, Episode 1
The GPD Fraud
DeLorean and his team had a number of amazing prototypes, but these hand-built cars were in no way ready for mass production. DeLorean needed production engineering plans, and he needed them fast. Learn the details of John DeLorean’s partnership with Lotus to create a production model of the DeLorean, and how the whole thing was an elaborate money laundering scheme to enrich Colin Chapman and Lotus, and leave DeLorean with an inferior automobile.
S2, Episode 2
A Year of Turmoil
Explore the thoroughly substandard design that Lotus created for the DMC-12, making it essentially a poor-quality clone of the Lotus Esprit. This causes many of DeLorean’s top engineers, including Bill Collins, to leave the project. Delve into DeLorean’s frustration with the exceedingly slow pace of factory construction in Northern Ireland, and how the changing political climate in both the US and UK hamper DeLorean production and aspirations even further.
S2, Episode 3
Delays, Delays, and more Delays
Delays in factory construction and prototype development at Lotus begin to put DMCL in serious financial Jeopardy. The British government tries to weasel their way out of the inflation clause in the master agreement. Despite these challenges, some progress is made: the DeLorean Prototypes undergo their first crash tests. Lining up a turbocharging option through Legend Industries. American Express and the Gold DeLoreans. Breaking ties with Lotus becomes challenging.
S2, Episode 4
Hopes and Troubles
The first half of 1981. DeLorean Motor Cars of Ireland Limited (DMCL) finally starts building mass-production cars, and shipping them to dealers in the United States. Plans for a turbo-charged version of the DeLorean, and air bag testing take shape. American Express hires DMCL to produce a small number of luxury gold-plated DeLoreans. Meanwhile, serious issues begin to threaten the operation. The quality of vehicles produced by DMCL becomes a problem almost immediately. Arson at the plant deepens the company’s financial woes. Political tensions in Northern Ireland rise.
CAST AND CREW
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PRODUCER, DIRECTOR & VOICE
BOB BRANDYS
BOB BRANDYS
RADEK SKALSKI
RADEK SKALSKI
BAIRD BRUTSCHER
