John Zachary DeLorean (January 6, 1925 – March 19, 2005), the iconic American engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur, died on March 19, 2005 at the age of 80. John was a pioneer in the automotive industry, founding the DeLorean Motor Company. He was also a key figure in the development and production of the first Pontiac GTO. He designed cars for several automakers, such as the Chevrolet Vega and Pontiac Firebird. DeLorean's legacy includes major contributions to car safety issues, including integrated seat belts in cars. John's life was highly publicized, often making headlines for his personal and financial difficulties. During the 1980s, he was indicted for drug trafficking, but charges were eventually dropped. John will be remembered for his leadership and innovation in the automotive industry, and as an American icon.