1. John Z DeLorean
ahead of his time
Economics per. 5
Kenny Drake

2. • Born 1925
• Graduated with a degree in industrial/automotive
engineering and business
• Worked with Chrysler for short time
• Packard Motor Company 1952-1956
• GM Pontiac division 1956-1969
• GM Cheverolet division 1969-1972
• GM head of car/truck division of N. America 1972
• GM Vice President 1973, however retired later that
year
• 1975 opened De Lorean Motor Company
• Passed away in 2005

3. Time with Packard
• DeLorean began at a $16,000 annual
• Worked under Forrest McFarland
• High end cars, with precise designs
• Quickly came out with improvements to tranmission
and torque convertor- “Twin Ultramatic”
• Within his four years, DeLorean took over as head of
research and design

4. Pontiac
• Starting salary of
$18,000
• Began work under
“Bunkie” Knudson
• Originally a mentor,
shortly after became
good friends
• Pulled up to Chief
Engineer in 1961
• Working with the ʻ61
Pontiac Tempest and
Lemans, DeLorean The new generation of style
recreated Pontiacʼs and speed, the muscle car
image with the 1964
Pontiac GTO

5. • DeLorean
was
promoted to
head of
Pontiac
division In
1965.
• By 1967,
DeLorean
continued to
create his
legacy with
the ‘67 Pontiac Firebird, a modification to the old
Camaro.
•1969, DeLorean put out the ‘69 Grand Prix, complete
with new body, chasi, and size.

6. Cheverolet
•DeLorean was pulled up to the Cheverolet
division, salary now topping $200,000
•Entered the division in a time of chaos and
disorder
•DeLorean took extra measures to reorder
Cheverolet, such as hiring extra inspectors
and test drivers
•Under DeLorean, Cheverolet soon hit record
sales
•Despite his success, DeLorean clashed with
other executives, not being of the norm.

7. On Top
• DeLorean seperated himself from the his
colleagues with his long sideburns and loose flashy
clothing. DeLorean had reached pop icon status.
• Made investments in NY Yankee and SD Charger
franchises
• 1972, DeLorean was promoted to the head of N.
American car/truck division

8. DeLorean Motor Company
•After leaving GM,
DeLorean aimed at
establishing his own
business.
•After being rejected
by the U.S. gov. for
loans, DeLorean got
British support and
opened doors in
1975.
•The company employed over 2,000 employees in its factory
in Dunmurry, Ireland and in 21 months produced around
8,600 DMC’s.

9. DMC or the De Lorean
• DeLorean created a small, 2-seater, gull wing car with a
powerful 6-cylinder engine and a stainless steel body.
• 6,000 still roam the roads today
• Overproduction of sports car however led to the
companies downfall and the British goverenment put De
Lorean Motos into receivership in 1982.
• The same year, DeLorean was arrested for trafficing
cocaine, in an attempt to make money to keep up the
company.
• DeLorean, however was realeased from all charges on
the account of the FBIʼs use of entrapment.

10. The Legacy
• Known for his innovations to the auto industry such as
noise reduction, wide track tires, turn signals, arched
windshield wipers, overhead- cam 6 cylinder engine.
• As well as his work with the Tempest and Lemans, the
firebird, the Vega, the Pontiac GTO and the De
Lorean.
• The De Lorean was embeded in history in the movie
“Back to the Future” in 1985.