Delorean cover art

Delorean

A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

 Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30-day free trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £3.99

Buy Now for £3.99

About this listen

 Northern Ireland was a very dark place in the 1980s. A hunger strike was looming, street violence and tit for tat murders were an everyday occurrence, but in a small corner of West Belfast something extraordinary was happening. In a factory in Dunmurry a unique new sports car was being built, a DMC 12, a style icon for the late 20th century. For 2 years John DeLorean brought hope to communities flattened by the Troubles in Northern Ireland. This is the story of that two year dream as seen through the eyes of key employees - including a union representative, an assembly line worker and a supervisor. Over 9,000 DMCs were produced during this period, cars which today still retain their cult status. The workforce put their heart and souls into this car plant believing that this was going to be the start of a better future, and that they too could 'live the dream.' Business Entertainment & Performing Arts Professionals & Academics Heartfelt
All stars
Most relevant

Would you consider the audio edition of DeLorean (Afternoon Play) to be better than the print version?

Haven't read the print version but, I enjoyed this audiobook very much.

Would you recommend DeLorean (Afternoon Play) to your friends? Why or why not?

Absolutely. For anyone brought up in Belfast at the time of the Delorean car factory, this book is in part a nostalgic trip down memory lane, but also a reminder of what could have been. The apparent togetherness in a workforce who never previously had thought it was acceptable, never mind possible.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Hearing the Alternative Ulster, Stiff Little Fingers, musical intro blasting out of my car stereo brought a smile to my face while I was listening. Same at the end with Here Comes The Summer, by the Undertones. I enjoyed hearing about the secret messages scribed into each of the cars before they left the assembly lines. Even if I don't agree with the political symbolism, I love the idea of the subversive signature on every car, while they wind their way down highway 101 in California or somewhere exotic.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I still remember the car transporters passing my school on the Lisburn Road as they made their way to the Belfast docks and the tremendous sense of excitement. I'm not sure if John Delorean was ever, or could ever be, considered an honourably Ulsterman, but 36 years later his car still evokes great pride. God knows, we needed something good to promote Northern Ireland in the early eighties.

The one that got away.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Brilliant play.... Belfast during the building of the DeLorean motor car.....'live the dream'.... Celebrate the Impossible!

DeLorean Play

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.