] John Z. DeLorean, an automotive innovator who left
] General Motors Corp. to develop a radically futuristic
] sports car, has died at age 80.

] He was among just a handful of U.S. entrepreneurs to
] start a car company in the last 75 years.

] While apt to be remembered as the man behind the car
] modified for time travel in the ''Back to the Future''
] movies, Mr. DeLorean left a powerful imprint in
] automaking built on unique, souped-up cars.