John Delorean passes away

[cohocarl]

Just saw this on CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/03/....htmlJohn DeLorean got his start in the automobile business at Packard in the 1950's and was recruited by Pontiac in 1959. A rising star at Pontiac, DeLorean was involved in the creation of perhaps their greatest success, the GTO, and also the Gran Prix. By the late sixties, DeLorean was running the show at Pontiac, and sales had risen from 6th to 3rd, behind only Chevy and Ford. With Ford showing sales gains, DeLorean was moved to manage the Chevrolet division in 1970, and by 1973, Chevrolet had it's first ever annual sales of more than 3 million cars and trucks - a record for the entire automotive industry. With Chevrolet back on track, DeLorean was promoted to a $650,000 per year position as the vice president of all North American Car and Truck divisions. DeLorean, by many accounts the top candidate to be GM's next president, chafed at the constraints of GM's management, and resigned shortly thereafter.

[ragingfish]

Farewell to the father of the GTO...We need more rebels like him back at GM...May he rest in peace...An old Apple commercial had a great, "poem" I guess you can call it...that I now dedicate to Mr. John Delorean.Quote »"Here’s to the crazy ones.The misfits.The rebels.The troublemakers.The round pegs in the square holes.The ones who see things differently.They’re not fond of rules.And they have no respect for the status quo.You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them, disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them.About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.Because they change things.They invent. They imagine. They heal.They explore. They create. They inspire.They push the human race forward.Maybe they have to be crazy.How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art?Or sit in silence and hear a song that’s never been written?Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."John had the guts to go against the grain, and do something GM didn't have the balls do to...and it turned out to be historical...Listen up GM...now's your chance to shine. TAKE A RISK. Carry on Delorean's legend.

[ColonelPanic]

Very nice, Mike... I really dig that, a fitting tribute no doubt. Yes, GM needs more rebels... Any business does. Too many "yes" people tend to sour the business...http://www.freep.com/money/aut...1.htmAnd damn, I'd give anything to have a Delorean...

[Raven]

It's a shame the Delorean car was released when it was and suffered the same fate as the Bricklin. Both cars were a good idea but at a poor time. Wasn't he married to Bo Derek at one time?

[kostby]

A 'Back to the Future' Trilogy film festival will be held in John's honor in the Ostby household.Since we're a multi-generational forum here, the connection is that the 'Back to the Future' time-traveling car was a DeLorean.

[drunkenmaxx]

i just looked up delorean specs, they only had 130 HP!!!!

[kostby]

Unnnhhuh. No wonder it took all those gigawatts to make the thing fly!Quote »EngineRear mounted, liquid cooled - Light Alloy V6,2.85 Liter - Single overhead camshaft - C.I.S. mechanical fuel injection - Cylinder Bore 91mm - Stroke 73mm - Displacement 2849 cc -Power Rating 130 SAE NET HP @5,500 RPM Maximum Torque 208 Nm @ 2,750 RPM -Compression Ratio 8:8:1 - Transmission (5 speed manual, 3 speed Automatic) Anyone recall if 'SAE' horses are the same as 'Ahmuhriken' horses?EDIT: Apparently 'Ahmuhriken' horses are smaller than SAE horses. It takes more 'Ahmuhriken' horses than SAE horses...Quote »Performance figures Power 156 bhp / 116 KW @ 5700 rpmTorque 235 Nm / 173 ft lbs @ 3000 rpm BHP/Liter 55 bhp / liter Power to weight ratio 0.12 bhp / kg Top Speed 177 km/h / 110 mph 0-60 mph Acceleration 10.5 s

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[rasermon]

A public viewing is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home in Royal Oak. Funeral services will be private.http://www.detnews.com/2005/ob...1.htm

[redlava]

Quote, originally posted by kostby »Unnnhhuh. No wonder it took all those gigawatts to make the thing fly!Anyone recall if 'SAE' horses are the same as 'Ahmuhriken' horses?EDIT: Apparently 'Ahmuhriken' horses are smaller than SAE horses. It takes more 'Ahmuhriken' horses than SAE horses...I can take a page from my little Vibe. Who cares how fast you get there just as long as you look good doing it.

[ToolGuy]

Will be missed and an automotive icon...

[MadBill]

Quote, originally posted by rasermon »A public viewing is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home in Royal Oak. Funeral services will be private.http://www.detnews.com/2005/ob...1.htmLooks like he drew some admirers:(An e-mail I just received. Wed, MR 23, 7:35 PM)All: On my way home from work this afternoon I passed Desmond funeral home on Woodward in Royal Oak, and there lined up in front was a flock of "Deloreans" I would guess at least 20 of them. Most were still in their original stainless steel body. A couple had been painted, 1 green, 1 red one. Perhaps there were more around the side & in back of the building, couldn't tell. Didn't see any GTO's, but I bet ol' Johnny D was a smilin' at all of his namesake cars out front!!!! Anyhow I take it from all the cars out front, that tonight is the service/visitation for John. It somehow seems fitting that it is on woodward!!!! Doug