De Lorean by John Lamm (1983, Hardcover)

As the only book published which covers the history of the DeLorean automobile and DeLorean Motor Company in great detail, "DeLorean: Stainless Steel Illusion" should be considered the cornerstone piece to any collection for DeLorean owners and enthusaists.

The book starts out in 1973 when John DeLorean left General Motors and had begun thinking about starting his own car company. Over the following ten chapters, 160 pages and more than 400 black and white and full color photographs, the story of the DeLorean car and DeLorean Motor Company are described in great detail.

Containing great detail on the development of the prototypes including fascinating first hand accounts from original employees and consultants as well as detailed photographs, beginning with Giugiaro's first concept drawings. When the engineering for the car shifted from DeLorean's own people to Lotus Cars in the UK, the author takes us there with more detailed stories and photographs, as well.

The book also outlines how John DeLorean was able to finance the project, going into detail about how the dealer network was formed, and what locations for the factory were considered, as well as how the location of Dunmurry, Northern Ireland was chosen.

One of the most often overlooked accomplishment of the entire DeLorean project was the design and construction of a state-of-the-art assembly plant that went from a cow pasture to production of the DeLorean car in just 28 months. This book goes into intricate detail of the construction process from groundbreaking to cars rolling off the assembly line, with a number of photographs all along the way.

The first edition ends with John DeLorean in handcuffs, his fate and the future of the DeLorean Motor Company very much in doubt. Still sought after by collectors and DeLorean enthusiasts, an excellent condition first edition will command about $100 or so. Poorer quality and ex-library books are worth as much as 50%-75% less.

Updated and reprinted in 2003, the second edition was printed from the original films and save for a new 16 page chapter added chronicling the events of the years 1983 to 2003, is virtually identical. The second edition is still available new, prices for the second edition in excellent condition are usually between $40 and $50.

All in all, a must-read for the DeLorean owner or enthusiast!

Trivia:

Commonly referred to within the DeLorean enthusiast community as "SSI".

10,000 copies were published of the first edition in 1983 by Newport Press.

2,500 copies of the second edition were published in 2003 by Red Lion Press and distributed by DMC Publishing.

"DeLorean: Stainless Steel Illusion" was author John Lamm's first book. He has since authored or co-authored more than dozen more books on the field of automobiles.

Author John Lamm was a former Senior Editor of Road & Track magazine.

"DeLorean: Stainless Steel Illusion" was written with the cooperation of the original DeLorean Motor Company and it was planned that each new DeLorean sold would include a copy of the book. The demise of the company prevented this from taking place.

Unhappy with his portrayal in the first edition, John DeLorean refused to sign copies of this book. He is known to have signed at least one copy of the updated, second edition before his passing in 2005.