When John DeLorean was speaking at this 1967 Pontiac dealer event, he was the model buttoned-down executive in a staid and steady industry. All he had to do was remain on the straight and narrow and he would be the golden boy forever. He was still following the constructs of who he thought he had to be. But there was something stirring inside, even if he wasn’t immediately sure what that was. DeLorean had yet to rebel and break away from his industry-and from his former self. He had yet to bet it all and lose it all. He had yet to become the truest expression of himself.

More DeLorean posts:

• DeLorean, now a born-again Christian, interviewed in Manhattan. (1988)

• Pennebaker and Hegedus profile DeLorean. (1981)

• DeLorean growing tired of the big automakers. (1974)

• DeLorean wagers it all on his own car company. (1979)

• A People profile of the outlandish automaker. (1980)

• A California TV ad selling DeLoreans at cut-rate prices. (1983)