John DeLorean

John DeLorean (1925-2005) was an American engineer and automotive executive who gained fame as both an innovative car designer and controversial business figure. His most notable achievement was founding the DeLorean Motor Company and creating the iconic DMC-12 sports car with its distinctive gull-wing doors and stainless steel exterior. Prior to launching his own company, DeLorean had a successful career at General Motors, where he developed several important vehicles including the Pontiac GTO, widely credited as the first muscle car. His rapid rise through GM's corporate ranks made him the youngest division head in the company's history at age 40. The DeLorean DMC-12 became permanently embedded in popular culture after being featured as the time machine in the "Back to the Future" film series. However, the car's production was short-lived, with only about 9,000 units manufactured before the company declared bankruptcy in 1982. DeLorean's later life was marked by legal troubles, including a high-profile drug trafficking case in which he was ultimately acquitted. He authored the book "On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors," which provided an insider's critique of the automotive industry and corporate culture at GM.

Reader reviews focus heavily on DeLorean's autobiography "On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors" and its tell-all revelations about GM's corporate culture. Readers appreciated: - Direct insights into GM's decision-making and internal politics - Detailed accounts of car development processes - Personal anecdotes about key industry figures - The book's role in exposing automotive industry practices Common criticisms: - Self-serving narrative that downplays DeLorean's own failures - Lack of detail about the DeLorean Motor Company period - Dated references and industry terminology - Poor editing and organization Amazon ratings average 4.1/5 stars across 125 reviews Goodreads shows 3.9/5 from 218 ratings One reader noted: "Essential reading for understanding Detroit's golden age, though DeLorean's ego comes through on every page." Another commented: "The technical details fascinate but the constant score-settling gets tiresome." The book remains in demand among automotive history enthusiasts despite being out of print.

DeLorean (1985) Autobiography detailing DeLorean's rise through General Motors, the creation of his car company, and his subsequent legal troubles.

On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors (1979) A critical insider's account of General Motors' corporate culture and management practices during DeLorean's tenure as an executive.

Lee Iacocca shares DeLorean's background as an auto industry executive and writes about the corporate culture of Detroit automakers in the 1960s-70s. His books contain similar behind-the-scenes accounts of automotive business decisions and industry transformations.

Bob Lutz worked as an executive at GM, Ford, and Chrysler during the same era as DeLorean and provides perspective on American car companies. He focuses on product development and management challenges in the automotive sector.

Peter Lynch writes about business leadership and taking calculated risks to build companies. His books examine decision-making and entrepreneurship with a focus on both successes and failures.

Ken Gross specializes in automotive history and the development of iconic car models. He documents the technical and business aspects of the auto industry with emphasis on specific vehicles and their creators.

Paul Ingrassia covers the rise and decline of Detroit's Big Three automakers through investigative reporting. His work examines corporate culture, union relations, and management decisions that shaped the industry.