Book Review: Delorean: The Rise, Fall and Second Acts of the Delorean Motor Company

DeLorean: The Rise, Fall and Second Acts of the DeLorean Motor Company by Matt Stone

Motorbooks, an imprint of The Quarto Group 

ISBN: 978-0-7603-8471-8

eISBN: 978-0-7603-8472-5

John Zachary DeLorean was a man of many things, and author Matt Stone goes through great-lengths and details to bring all of it to light in: DeLorean: The Rise, Fall and Second Acts of the DeLorean Motor Company. The good, the bad, and the ugly, it's all here in his wonderful exposé.

This title is the latest in The Sports Car Compendium book reviews, our first for 2025. This in-depth look into all things DeLorean is a compelling read and reference.

The Tactile Experience:

A smooth and embossed hardcover surrounds the 192 pages. Weighing in at 2.17lbs., the publication has some veritable heft. Measurements are 8.75 inches wide, 10.25 inches long and .75 inches thick. 

Pages are a nice semi-gloss smooth texture that won't rip if you turn the pages quickly. Ink doesn't smear with skin contact which is always appreciated. If you've bought a print magazine lately you'll know exactly what I mean. 

Content:

Having superficial knowledge of DeLorean and its history, this book was quite a discovery on the origins and proceedings for JZD. It is stuffed full of details that only a genuine enthusiast and high-quality investigative journalist would obtain. Stone leaves nothing to the imagination in his attempt to show us the real DeLorean.

The pages have a vast collection of period photography, concept drawings, inspirations, original advertisements, window stickers and much more. Saying extensive feels inadequate if being honest. 

There is also recommended readings and resources for those wanting to expand their reach into the world surrounding DeLorean and the era. 

Conclusion:

Stone has done the unthinkable with DeLorean: The Rise, Fall and Second Acts of the DeLorean Motor Company,  He has me searching want ads for a clean DeLorean DMC-12. Perhaps all car enthusiasts share some commonality with the rebellious figure.

For anyone wanting to thoroughly explore an icon of automotive history from it's ethos, this is it. And while DeLorean may be a cultural punch-line for drugs and failure to some, this book puts to rest that to that misnomer. A far more realistic portrait of a dedicated, driven and troubled man and company is presented. It makes JZD more relatable and the reader sympathetic to the circumstances surrounding the rise and fall. 

If you are interested in purchasing, buyers can get their copy from publisher Quatro for $40.00 USD.