“Are you telling me that you built a time machine…out of a DeLorean?” Well, not exactly, Marty, but we think you’ll still be impressed. Despite its recent rise from the ashes after nearly four decades after its company’s highly-publicized bankruptcy, the DeLorean will forever be tied to the iconic Back to the Future film series. In recent years, there’s been a slight influx in popularity of owning one of these original cars from the ‘80s, with many buyers looking to convert their DMC-12 to look like the time machine version that Doc Brown built in the original 1985 picture. In fact, there are entire firms dedicated solely to making these replicas. Up for auction soon via Mecum is one of the more beautiful homages we’ve seen so far.
Upon its debut in 1981, the DeLorean DMC-12 caught the public off guard, to say the least. During a time when automobile designs were decidedly aggressive and futuristic, this new, promising coupe from the namesake American marque may have topped them all. It had a wedged shape, gull-wing doors, and an unpainted stainless steel body. However, its performance numbers were lackluster, but it was the ‘80s! We thought the future would only care about how cool things looked! Well, the people over at Universal cared very much when they selected the vehicle as the main prop car for their upcoming movie. In fact, today, the movie version is arguably more iconic than the original car itself.
The owner of the current version in question has really had the works done on his ‘81 DeLorean. Retaining the same 2.8L V-6 engine and Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection from the original, the vehicle has been given functioning neon lighting strips along the outside and rear vents capable of performing a smoke effect just like this would look if it were actually going back in time to 1955 (we’re guessing). On the inside, it’s been given the same intentionally homemade look as the original, equipped with buttons, working time circuit displays, and a light-up flux capacitor behind the bucket seats. If that’s not enough, the components are able to be swapped out for ones that would make this look like the version of the car from the sequel, Back to the Future Part II.
Signed by Christopher Lloyd, who played Doc Brown, the vehicle will be auctioned off via Mecum in Indianapolis starting May 12. The buyer of this fantastic DeLorean time machine replica will also be given a replica of the Grays Sports Almanac from the 2nd movie. No estimate has been given, but past Delorean Back to the Future builds have gone for upwards of $150,000.
