New Netflix series explores the myth and mogul that is John Delorean
In the car world, John DeLorean rose from engineer to executive to icon. But under the hood of his self-created automotive legend lies darkness and deceit.You may not know him by name, but you’ll definitely be familiar with his car, which shares his surname. John DeLorean was the poster boy of late ‘70s corporate greed, epitomising these hubristic times with his grandiose vision of the car of the future.
Netflix has released a new 3-part documentary series called Myth & Mogul: John DeLorean about the futuristic car creator, which explores the rise and fall of the automotive icon. The series which is now streaming on Netflix combines exclusive access and interviews with never before seen footage shot by Oscar-winning director D.A Pennebaker.
DeLorean, a former GM employee went out on his own and in 1975 and formed the DeLorean Motor Company (DMC). Six years later, in 1981 – some four years before the first Back to the Future film – production on the DMC-12 began.
The design was a gull-winged object of sporty ’80s futurism, featuring a stainless-steel body designed by Italdesign’s Giorgetto Giugiaro, and it caught people’s attention and captured imaginations. But with a “wheezy” European V6 engine and a $25,000 price tag (the equivalent of around $65,000 today), it struggled in the marketplace. Its performance belied its sporty looks, and the price – despite plans for it to sell at $12,000 (the ‘12’ in DMC-12) – was exclusive, if not unaffordable.
Aside from the vehicle he set out to create, DeLorean found himself in some trouble along the way with governments and the law and was known for his very charismatic personality.
Myth & Mogul: John DeLorean is now streaming on Netflix.
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