Attachment 9837Attached is the first chapter of "Flight of the DeLorean " to be published mid 2012.
Nick Sutton
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Attachment 9837Attached is the first chapter of "Flight of the DeLorean " to be published mid 2012.
Nick Sutton
Great stuff Nick. I am already hypnotized just reading that chapter. As a Dubliner, I remember the whole story very well, and reading your many comments brings back a flood of memories from that time. Looking forward to reading the whole book. Congratulations Nick.
......Mike......
Yes, this sounds very interesting. Nick, Thanks for allowing us a preview.
Agreed, this sounds fascinating. Can't wait to read the rest!
i am definitely intrigued and am looking forward to reading more! :smile:
I bought a Delorean because I wanted part of that history. I am not a car enthusiast, and I am more interested in the story than the cars specification. I have read many articles and books involving Delorean. The story still amazes me today. I think I have almost everything there is available out the story of the Delorean company.
I also understand that the Delorean Company has a special impact to those working there. I can imagine it must have been hard to see their future melting away in front of their eyes.
But every time I read such an article, the moment the word "drugs" pops up, I simply fast forward. I just hate to read that. I understand it is part of the Delorean history. It happened. Framed or not. John was acquitted and back to the story. It has no fundamental value to what happened to the car company itself. This only happened at the very end. But I also understand it shocked the employees of DMC.
When I watch the documentary “great blunders" I see 2 people at the end giving comment. “What would you do if John Delorean stands in front of you? I will just punch him in the nose"
Another reaction; “He was the only one coming to give us a job. If he comes back I'll work for him"
John tried to build his dream car. He failed unfortunately. I wish I could see what happened if he succeeded. But I have great respect to what John (and other great entrepreneurs) did to create companies and employment. The author will write his book the way he experienced it. And I welcome the fact Nick will now share it with us, the general public.
When I planned to come to Eurofest last year, I honesty have had my doubts if it would be safe to drive the Delorean there. I have been reading so many negative reactions that I feared the car (and its owner) could get hurt when bumping in to people as a reaction to their nightmare. Because that was the feeling I got. I was told not to worry about that, but it did cross my mind. The reality was that the people of Belfast put up their thumbs :thumbup:and were taking pictures and smiling when we drove by. They welcomed us. I was ashamed I actually feared angry people.
I guess what I am trying to say is that most articles I read I can feel the anger of the author. I hope Nick does not do it this way. It gave me a false look to the real thing. I spoke to some people where actually there, incl Nick . I am honored to know them, they are all great guys.
I will read you book with great interest, Nick. Thanks for sharing.
John
Thank you for the comments John.
Most of the books I have read on the “DeLorean affair” give a good insight into John DeLorean’s early years at General Motors. But because most of the authors had no detailed involvement in the factory either at the beginning or at the end of the venture little has been written of the period from 1978 to 1983 of events that took place at Dunmurry or Lotus. Very few articles or books record the detail about the car’s development or its short life on the production line. And nothing about the employees or residents of the Dunmurry or Twinbrook area who were the people that gained most in the factory’s foundation and suffered most in its closure.
Or the reasons why the UK Government risked a not insignificant amount of money in an area of the United Kingdom that had been written off by everyone except the military and why the Government of the time took the risk, has never clearly been explained.
The word difficult would be an understatement in the effort involved in building the DeLorean factory and the car in the two year s that it took us. The blue skies shown in the photographs that record the building of the factory site from the adjacent tower blocks at Seymour Hill are misleading. The period was a dark time for the area in particular and Northern Ireland in general.
One of the key elements that inspired me to write the book was to set the record right. I was also weary of reading current accounts of the period from journalists that fed of each other’s articles often using the same phrases without any knowledge or understanding of the history. Most were negative. There were many good things to come from the DeLorean experience – I hope that I can share these with you.
I have tried to make the book balanced – but there are a few villains and not the usual suspects.
You shouldn’t have worried about the response in Belfast regarding the DeLorean affair the only negatives you’ll hear are from the civil servants of the time and by now these will have retired to pastures new.
Nick Sutton
Nick, I'm really looking forward to reading your book. I worked for Ford Motor Company in an engineering position for 38 years and retired in 2003. Last month the plant I retired from was closed so I went back prior to the closing to see what the atmosphere was like. Even through I was retired for a few years I stll felt very sad seeing a once vibrant manufacturing facility looking dark and gloomy. I can equate with the feelings of the Belfast employees when they learned the DeLorean plant was closing. There is always more to a story than the headlines and your insight is something all of us DeLorean enthusiasts will want to hear.
Bruce Benson
Nick,
Thank you for posting that first chapter. Please let us know when and where we can Purchase the hardcopy.
I'm also hoping for a day when when A major film studio does a full motion picture about John Z and the Car. Think TUCKER
Thanks for the comments.
I hope that any future drama reflect the facts of the time and for a short period in the movie -at least - gives some time credence to the magnificent efforts of the workforce.
A plea to any future Producer of a DeLorean movie - please wait for the book before you write the script.
Hey Nick,
I'd really love to hear your comments to this book:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg
It's available only in german so far, but I expect you to understand most of it.
If you're interested to get in touch with the author - let me know.
Or did you even talk to him ? I know he talked to many further employees.
Happy new year,
Elvis
Nick - this is really fantastic! I can't wait to read the rest... Keep up the great work!
Cheers,
- Jordan
Exactely!!
That is what I like to read. I am much more willing to read and accept this from someone who was actually there. Even from the very beginning to the very end.
I can hardly wait.
Of course I bought that book "Zu früh für die Zukunft" I speak fluently German, but is very hard to read this book in German. If it comes out in English I will buy a new copy. I have not finished it yet. So I need to hurry up so I can read Nick's book.
John
Great stuff Nick.
Can I put it on my Christmas list for 2012?
And can we have numbered editions, to match our VINs :)
I will want an autographed copy :)
I love this perspective, as I share it. Although I understand the affection of the Delorean/BTTF relationship, the BTTF aspect was a mere footnote in the history of the car after the fact. The Delorean history itself is what truly entices me, and the fearless vision even inspires me. I am obviously a fan of the car, but a fan of the story behind the car just as much.Quote:
But it would be twenty years before I summoned courage to watch the film. Until then I wouldn’t allow my dream to be shared or stolen by anyone, film watcher, car owner or enthusiast.
How could the pop corn audience understand the energy, determination and passion that resulted in the birth of the car named DeLorean?
Nick, I would like to offer my services as an illustrator if you like.
+ one
The BTTF has as much a as a foot-note value to the true story as the drugs.
Just hope they remain a footnote.
John
Nick, I just want to say that when this book hits the shelves, I will be there to scoop it up too. I loved that preview chapter and could feel the emotion that obviously exists in this work. I cannot wait, as with the others who have already posted before me, to read the completed book. Until then, I wait with eager anticipation.
Thank you for all your comments.
The next stage in completing the book is to refine the words and tell the story with a readability factor without distorting the facts. This really is the difficult part. Please have patience – I’ll get there.
I 've spent three years researching the detail to ensure the accuracy of the story .This part of the project is complete and there is a significant amount of detail to tell. I’m confident that the reader of the completed work– DeLorean owner or otherwise -will take an interest in our little miracle at Dunmurry and the stories that unfolded before, during and after we stopped new car production.
The programme took over the lives of many people – I’m not alone in that category. Many of the young stars went on to bigger and greater things in Industry. For many others unemployment for many years was their reward for dedicating themselves to the achievement of the impossible.
The life of the manufacturing programme was only 12 months , we were in Receivership for about the same period of time. The book covers the period 1978 to 2005.
Please remember that without the movie BTTF our profile as a group of enthusiasts would significantly less than that it is today.It’s played a major role in keeping the image of the DeLorean Car alive.
When I finally got around to watching the film – my first action was to check the shut lines on the doors and hood. After all those years you’d think it didn’t matter any more – but it does.
Nick Sutton
Thank you for sharing this chapter Nick.
Keep up the good job :thumbup2:
Oh I don't deny for a minute the impact of BTTF on the Delorean culture and popularity. My point was that not every Delorean owner/enthusiast centers their love of the car around the movie. I was a fan of the car the moment I saw the prototype in a magazine ad. When I got older, I began reading the history of the car and never really stopped..of course that desire to learn hit turbo boost after I got mine 3 years ago.
For me, it wasn't the movie that got me interested, or kept me interested, It's this history and the era in which it was set that makes the Delorean story so interesting. The movie mearly kept the general puplic's interest peaked and kept the prices higher so it would not be until I was 37 years old that I finally had the scratch to plunk down on a Delorean.....so the movie I could take or leave.
Michael,
In that case you'll be pleased to hear that it's only mentioned once in the book. It would be wrong to omit it from the script. The fact that the movie was released in 1985 and it took me twenty years to watch the film is an indication of how badly I then felt about the whole affair.
Due to several major events that changed my view I am now able to watch the movie without holding the hand of a psychologist!
Nick
During the research for the book I've come across a significant amount of history regarding the plant , the people and Lotus Cars.
In this last category I spent several months researching the Hethel Lotus site where the DeLorean car was designed, developed and tested. Hethel airfield was a USAAF base in world war II.
The attached photograph was taken on the site.
There is significantly more detail in the book.
Copyright to the photograph is Mr Fred Squires Chairman of the 389th Bomb Group Historical Society and an enthusiast in keeping the memory of the USAAF based at Hethel alive.
Nick Sutton
Looking forward to reading the rest of the book when completed!
It is great to have as many people as we do who actually were there during the inception & production of our cars who are involved/active the DeLorean community as we do. Thank you Nick for participating and sharing your knowledge & experiences. It gives me (and I'm sure others) a closer connection to the car I (we) love.
On the 29th January 1982 the Managing Director of DeLorean Motor Cars Ltd, Don Lander, announced that 1100 jobs at the factory would have to go. The balance of the workforce of 1400 were to go to short time working.This cut back also affected staff in the offices as well as operatives in the factory.They left DMCL's employment on the 12th February - a week before Receivership.
Many of those made redundant had started in July/August of the previous year to support the increase in production from 40 to 80 cars per day.
Despite what is read today about the amazement of the US sales team when they found that we had ramped up to this increased level, only five weeks previously the US were demanding the shipment of more cars at a higher rate and improved quality.
Nick Sutton
I would like to say thanks for letting the members of the forum read a part of your book. I am looking forward to reading a signed copy of the book.
I appreciated the first hand account that you are writting about & find this extermely interesting.
Kirby (aka hassyfoto)
:thumbup:
Thank you all for the kind comments and encouragement. I can’t guarantee that the book will be a master piece of English literature but I can promise that it will be like no other book written on the subject. There is a lot of new material and personal accounts of my time at the company telling the story of the determination of the workforce to make the impossible dream succeed.
Thirty years ago tomorrow one thousand one hundred workers left the factory in the first wave of redundancies having been given their notice of redundancy a week earlier. The redundancy programme included office staff, factory supervisors, QC people and management.
We were then just over a week away from Receivership. All expenditure had been stopped and we had been warned that to commit to any expense with the knowledge that we couldn’t pay was a civil if not criminal offence.
There was some support for the project in Parliament from MPs who had suppliers in their constituency but in general the public and government view of our venture was hostile. After all this was Northern Ireland not much sympathy from the man in the street to anything that came from this part of the world.
We struggled on regardless to finish cars using material already in stock or by cannibalising cars for parts.
In another ten days things would change completely.
Sir Kenneth Cork arrived at the DeLorean factory in Dunmurry early morning of the 19th February 1982. His mission was to announce in person, the statement that was to be broadcast from the House of Commons at 11.00 am. This was that DMCL in Northern Ireland was to enter Receivership.
He was met at the factory by Shaun Harte the most senior of the Directors then on site – two other Senior Directors were in the US having travelled a week or so earlier; now with John DeLorean, planning the future, working on the response to the announcement to be made in Parliament
Sir Kenneth gathered the senior management and Union officials in the Training Building to make his speech which was brief. He hoped that there would be a future for the company but at a reduced scale of operations.
In the DeLorean offices in Coventry – three hundred miles away – we were unaware of the announcement made by Sir Kenneth.
Someone brought in their radio so we could listen to the planned announcement in Parliament by James Prior Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. After prayers in the House of Commons the business started. Reading of The Dogs (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill came first on the agenda of the day – as it should of course. Then James Prior stood to speak.
He announced that DMCL would enter Receivership – at least it wasn’t closure as we’d thought – a huge relief. That would come eight months later. Within hours we were asked to asset label the desks, photocopy machine and anything that had value.
Photographs of the DeLorean Car on the office wall disappeared within minutes, anything of value to the Receiver remained to closure.
There would be a silence and lack of activity for a few weeks whilst we recorded our activity over the last three years compiling data for the Receiver on what we had spent and to whom – records I hold to this day.
But what would happen next?
Nick Sutton
Sometime early last year I was approached by a man who had just purchased a gold coloured Volvo 264. It was in poor condition. But there was evidence that the car had been used at Lotus during the DeLorean period. Having failed to get any information from Lotus Cars regarding the Volvo's history he contacted me. The only thing I could recall about the model is that I had sales brochure of the Volvo 264 in pristine condition. It had been in my garage for almost thirty years - why I had it is a mystery but it came from my office at DeLorean.
Then late last year I spoke to Paul Fricker who had worked on the Delorean in particular the PRV engine. He told me that Lotus had purchased a Volvo as a comparator in fuel economy. Eventually he sent me some photographs- one of them had a gold Volvo in the background. The photograph was taken in the Lotus DeLorean Hangar at Hethel. This is attached.
Still not full evidence that it was the same car until a few weeks ago. The glove box had been locked for thirty years and the new owner had managed to open the compartment.
Inside was a map. I'll post it later.
Nick SuttonAttachment 8620
Minor derail, but this smacks hard of "I was into (thing) BEFORE it was cool."
Anyway, of course not every owner associates their getting a DeLorean with BTTF, but a largely significant number of owners do. And when you think about it, they made the car into the star of not one but three Hollywood blockbusters. Because of BTTF, millions upon millions of additional people know what the DMC-12 is and without it, it would have ended up being a minor automotive curiosity known pretty much only to enthusiasts. JZD himself wrote to the production team of BTTF to thank them and tell them how much he enjoyed the movie.
That being on par with the drugs thing? No comparison at all. Nobody has any clue what happened. Not a single person I've met has ever gotten the story right; I've heard everything from "yeah he got busted selling cocaine and that's why the company went under" to "he's still in prison for those possession charges and doing coke". But at the same time, everyone knows that the DeLorean time vehicle was built by Doc Brown, had a flux capacitor, and goes to 88 to travel through time.
I'm sorry, but the BTTF contribution is far more meaningful and significant than a simple "footnote", and to claim otherwise is dishonest, especially to the DeLorean community.
aarrgghhh. Pirates of the DeLoribean.Quote:
Originally Posted by nick sutton;
Inside was a map. I'll post it later.
Nick Sutton[ATTACH=CONFIG
And here it isAttachment 8705
courtesy Omar buyer of the Gold Volvo used at Lotus in the development of the DeLorean
Maybe I'm the only one but I don't fully grasp the significance of the highlighted areas. Obviously Norwich is Lotus HQ, but what were they doing at those three points? Was it a driving route?
Just a few more lines to write. James Espey has kindly offered his services in proof reading. Not long to go now.Next step to find a publisher.
Nick Sutton
bravo! :aniclap:
After three marathon sittings I have finished the book. James Espey is proof reading which in itself is a mammoth task. I have contacted three publishers and sent drafts of the book for their review.
I'm also talking to the media to dramatise the story.
I'll keep you posted as to progress.
Nick Sutton