The DeLorean Saga: Fraud, Drug Deals and Marty McFly's Car
About this episode
The episode explores the tumultuous life of John DeLorean, his ambitious car project, and the challenges he faced, including financial troubles and a drug deal.
This is a special crossover episode with Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford . John DeLorean was a top car executive - but he was too maverick to fit into the oppressive corporate culture of GM. He wanted to make a new and exciting sports car - a futuristic stainless steel marvel with distinctive gull-wing doors (which found fame in Back to the Future) . He just needed someone to give him millions of dollars to get started. The British government agreed to foot the bill, but only if DeLorean built his factory in a troubled part of Northern Ireland. The cars coming off the production line were beset with problems and sales slowed down. Company finances were also strained by DeLorean's spendthrift ways and brazen theft. Finally, someone offered DeLorean a lifeline if only he'd come in on a cocaine deal. Write to us at businesshistory@pushkin.fm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People in this episode
Host: Pushkin Industries
Guest: Tim Harford
Topics covered
- automotive history
- corporate culture
- entrepreneurship
- drug trade
- crossover episode
Keywords
- DeLorean
- GM
- Northern Ireland
- Back to the Future
- Tim Harford
- crossover
- automotive
- fraud
- drug deals
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: GM, British government
Products: DeLorean
Books & works: Back to the Future
Places: Northern Ireland
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