Car DeLorean DMC-12 He became the main character of the cult trilogy not because of his racing dynamics or luxury, but thanks to the unique design of John DeLorean and the fictional device “flux capacitor” installed in the trunk. Exactly this. stainless The sports car with the doors of the type “gull wing” has become the most recognizable symbol of time travel in the history of cinema, despite the fact that in reality the model was considered one of the most problematic in the automotive industry of the early 80s.
In the Back to the Future movies, the machine goes from a conventional prototype to an upgraded chrono-mobile with a nuclear reactor running on plutonium and then on debris. Real. DMC-12 It was powered by a V6 engine from Peugeot-Renault, which barely accelerated the heavy body to a hundred in 10 seconds, which was modest for a time machine, but the plot required just such a combination of slowness and futuristic appearance.
Several cars were used for filming, which were constantly modified: the caps were changed, exhaust pipes, glowing elements were added, and, of course, the famous control panel with red numerals. In this article, we will discuss in detail why the choice fell on this model, what technical improvements were required for the shooting and what is the real thing. DeLorean It is different from its screen version.
The history of choosing DeLorean for filming
Screenwriter Bob Gale initially considered a variety of options for the role of a time machine, including conventional American sedans and even refrigerators (which were quickly abandoned due to the danger to children). But director Robert Zemeckis needed a car that looked strange and futuristic enough for 1985 to give the viewer a sense of his ability to travel to other eras. Choice fell DeLorean DMC-12Its angular design and the gull wing doors were ideally suited to the concept of a machine from the future.
An important factor was the stainless steel from which the car body panels were made. The script joked that if you made a time machine out of ordinary steel, it would rust in 30 years, when Doc Brown would go back in time. stainless DMC-12 This solution solved this logical problem by making the car visually immortal and technologically advanced.
⚠️ In the early drafts of the script, the time machine was supposed to be a regular school bus or even an atomic bomb on wheels, but these ideas were abandoned for the sake of commercial appeal and image recognition.
Company DeLorean Motor Company She was already in financial trouble at the time of filming, but provided several cars for the film crew. Interestingly, it was originally planned to use a laser drive, but after the Chernobyl accident and the growing interest in nuclear issues, it was decided to use plutonium as a more “cinema” and dangerous source of energy.
Technical characteristics of the real DeLorean DMC-12
In reality, DeLorean DMC-12 It was powered by a PRV (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo) engine of 2.85 liters. It was a V-shaped six-cylinder engine, which in the runoff state gave only 130 horsepower. For a car weighing about 1,230 kilograms, this meant mediocre dynamics, in contrast to the image of an ultra-fast time machine developing 88 miles per hour.
The transmission was offered in two versions: a 5-speed manual transmission or a 3-speed automatic. Most of the machines used in the films were equipped with an automatic machine, which simplified the work of actors during filming, allowing you to focus on dialogue and control of non-existent devices, rather than shifting gears.
The suspension of the car was independent in the front and rear, which for the early 80s was considered a good tone, but the setting of the chassis left much to be desired. The car was prone to excessive rotation, and the brakes often overheated when driving actively, which created additional difficulties during the filming of dynamic scenes.
| Parameter | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Engine. | V6, 2.85 l | Development of PRV |
| Power | 130 hp | In the drain |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h | 10.5 seconds | With automatic |
| Kuzov | Stainless steel | Plastic-based. |
| Doors. | Vertical | "The Seagull Wing" |
The filming required the car to look faster than it actually is. Therefore, in some scenes, special angles were used, as well as modified versions with forced motors that could reach the necessary speeds for frames on the track.
Modifications for filming: from Prototype to Mk III
In the Back to the Future trilogy, the time machine evolves along with the story, going through several stages of modernization. Each version had its own unique features, which were created by production artists specifically for the respective time periods.
The first version is known as Prototype Mk I, or Mk I, appeared in the first part of the film. It had the simplest appearance: standard disks, no bright lights and a minimalistic control panel. In this version, Doc Brown first demonstrates to Martin McFly the possibility of time travel using plutonium stolen from Libyan terrorists.
The secret of the exhaust pipes
The fire from the exhaust pipes in the first part of the film was created using propane burners installed under the bottom of the car. It was extremely dangerous and the trick was only performed with professional stuntmen.
The second part of the film appears version Mk IIThe one that has already been in the future (2015). It received “floating” wheels (wheel hoverboards), the ability to fold into a compact cube and a more complex dashboard. The design became more futuristic, with modified headlights and additional light elements.
- 🚗 Mk I: Classic 1985 view, plutonium reactor, simple red digits on display.
- 🚀 Mk II: Upgrade from 2015, hover wheel, folding mechanism, Mr. fusion.
- ⚡ Mk III1885 version powered by a steam engine, with train wheels and a casing to protect against dust.
The third part of the film introduces us to the version Mk IIIIt was stuck in 1885. With no electricity or gasoline in the Wild West, Doc Brown was forced to convert the car to a steam engine. The car lost its elegance, having received a massive casing, pipe and special metal wheels for movement on the rails.
Flux capacitor and control system
The heart of the time machine is flux-capacitor Flux capacitor, a fictional device that makes time travel possible. Visually, it is a Y-shaped structure with three glass tubes in which light pulsates. This detail has become the most recognizable icon of the franchise.
The flux capacitor requires a huge energy of 1.21 gigawatts. In the first part of the film, the power source was a nuclear reaction, in the second and third - a device "Mr. Fujn", which recycles household garbage. The control panel located in the cabin allowed you to set the date of destination and the current date, and also displayed the speed of the car.
⚠️ Note: There is no actual physical device for the flux capacitor. It is a completely fictional term coined by the writers to explain the mechanism of time travel within the framework of the plot of the film.
The control panel interface consisted of a keyboard, displays with red LED numerals and various tumblers. Actor Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown) had to perform complex keyboard manipulations, often hitting the keys with his elbow or fist, creating the image of a brilliant but crazy scientist.
Did you know that the numbers on the display of the time machine were burning red because in the 80s, red LEDs were the cheapest and most affordable, and green or blue would cost a lot of money to mass produce sets.
The fate of cars after filming
After the filming of the trilogy, the fate of the cars developed differently. Most of them were disassembled, damaged in the course of stunts or simply lost. Universal Pictures did not consider it necessary to keep the props in those years, and many details were stolen by fans or sold at auction as souvenirs.
However, several cars survived and became museum exhibits. One of the original Heroes (a close-up car) is at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Another specimen can be seen at Universal Studios amusement park, where it participates in a show for tourists.
In 2011, the company DeLorean Motor Company The new DMC-12, which has already restored the rights to the brand, began production of a limited series of new DMC-12s assembled from original parts that have been in warehouses for decades. These machines, while not time machines, allow fans to purchase a slice of history.
There are fewer than five original time machines left in the world, and their value at auctions is estimated at millions of dollars.
DeLorean in Culture and Collecting
Cultural influence DeLorean DMC-12 It went far beyond cinema. This car became a symbol of the 1980s, along with neon colors, synthesizer music and video games. His image can be found on T-shirts, posters, computer games and even in the form of Lego toys.
Collectors from around the world are hunting for any artifacts related to the film. Copies of flux capacitors, replicas of control panels and even recreated life-size versions of the machine are in great demand. There are entire DeLorean owners' clubs that gather for meetings, often timed to coincide with the release dates of the films.
Interestingly, the film's popularity saved the DeLorean brand from complete oblivion. Without the success of the Back to the Future trilogy, John DeLorean and his car would likely remain a footnote in the history of the automotive industry as an example of a failed startup.
How many DeLorean cars were used for the filming?
For the filming of the trilogy, 6 main “hero” cars and several dozen machines for stunts were used, which were often destroyed in the process. The exact number is unknown, but it is believed that a total of about 20-25 vehicles were involved.
Is it true that DeLorean doors don't open in tight places?
This is one of the main drawbacks of the design. The gull wing doors require significant space on top and side to open. In cramped garages or parking lots, this is a major inconvenience, although in movies this moment is often ignored for the sake of entertainment.
Can I buy the original DeLorean today?
Original cars from 1981-1983 can be found on the secondary market. DMC also offers new cars made from old parts, which are formally considered models of the 2020s, but look like a classic of the 80s.
Why does a time machine have to go to 88 miles per hour?
In the film, Doc Brown explains that 88 mph (about 141 km/h) is the point at which 1.21 gigawatts of energy is generated to activate the flux capacitor. The number 88 was chosen because it is easy to read on a digital display and looks spectacular.