It can take a lot of guts to be different, because it means you might end up with a target on your back, and while there’s a lot of freedom in striking it out on your own, there’s also plenty of risk.

That’s something John DeLorean knew well. In 1973, he left General Motors->ke1024 to form his own enterprise, DeLorean Motor Company.->ke2842 DMC made moves to produce a brand-new car from a brand-new manufacturing plant in Northern Ireland. DeLorean’s creation suffered extensive delays and setbacks, but eventually, the DMC-12 reached consumers in January of 1981.

Unfortunately, the U.S. economy was in the throes of a full-blown recession, and while the public liked the unique flavor of the car, its steep asking price meant few were buying.

In 1982, DeLorean was charged with cocaine trafficking. He was later acquitted on the grounds of police entrapment, with the FBI unfairly targeting him due to his financial vulnerability. But the damage was done, and DMC was no more.

The cars, however, live on. One happy owner is Geoff Ombao, seen here talking about the joys of ownership and what drew him to purchase a DMC-12. Ombao is a bit of a rebel himself, quitting a corporate job in his mid-forties to pursue his dream of becoming a car designer.

It’s inspiration to deny the commonplace in favor of whatever it is that drives your passion. Even if you fail, the attempt is what matters. And who knows – the fruits of that labor might go further than you think.

DeLorean DMC-12->ke4980