Car from the movie Back to the Future: brand and details of the legend

When it comes to iconic cars in the history of cinema, the imagination immediately draws a silver silhouette with doors opening upwards. Movie car Back to the Future became not just a vehicle for heroes, but a full-fledged symbol of an entire era and the technological dreams of the 1980s. Many car enthusiasts are still arguing about which brand had the honor of becoming the basis for the most famous time machines in pop culture.

The question “what brand of car was in Back to the Future” often raises eyebrows among those who know the answer, but have no idea of the scale of failure of this model in the real world of sales. DeLorean DMC-12 was conceived as a sports car of the future, but in reality it turned out to be difficult to drive and not powerful enough. However, it was its futuristic design that allowed it to outlive its manufacturer and achieve immortality on the big screen.

In this article, we will analyze in detail the history of the creation of this car, the technical nuances of the modification for filming, and answer the most popular questions from fans of the trilogy. You will find out why the choice fell on this particular model and what is hidden under the hood of the legendary flux generator.

The history of choosing a DeLorean for filming

Initially, the film's script called for the use of a completely different vehicle. The time machine was supposed to be a nuclear rocket launcher built into an ordinary American sedan. However, director Robert Zemeckis and designer Ron Cobb understood that to visually translate the idea of time travel, more extravagant car. Standard models of the time would have looked too mundane to travel through the decades.

The choice fell on DeLorean DMC-12 thanks to its unique stainless steel body. The production designer noted that if we were to make a time machine, it should look alien even when static. The steel body did not require painting, which was ideal for the "made from the future" concept. In addition, the gullwing doors added the necessary drama when the hero appeared.

The production of original cars was carried out by the company DeLorean Motor Company in Northern Ireland. At the time of filming the first film, the company had already gone bankrupt, which created difficulties in finding working copies. Several pieces of equipment were purchased for the film crew and underwent serious modification. Interestingly, it was originally planned to use a more affordable sports car, but its appearance did not match visionary style paintings.

⚠️ Attention: In early drafts of the script, the time machine was supposed to be an ordinary household refrigeration unit, but this idea was abandoned due to fears that children would begin to climb into refrigerators and suffocate there.

The uniqueness of the situation was that the filmmakers actually saved the brand from complete oblivion. No trilogy Back to the Future brand DeLorean would remain in history only as an example of a failed business project by John DeLorean. Now it is one of the most recognizable cars in the world.

Technical characteristics of the original and film version

The basis of the legendary vehicle is DeLorean DMC-12 with a 2.85 liter V6 engine. In the stock version, this engine developed about 130 horsepower, which was considered frankly low for a sports car. Engineers had to seriously modify the power unit so that the car could perform the stunts required by the script, although in the film everything is explained by work flux generator.

To create the illusion of a time machine, the body was equipped with many additional elements. LED strips, turbos, exhaust pipes and, of course, the famous "capacitive displays" on the dashboard have all been installed on top of the standard equipment. The weight of the car increased significantly due to the attachments, which required strengthening the suspension and braking system.

Here are the main differences between the stock version and the cinematic version:

• 🚀 Engine: standard PRV V6 vs modified version with imitation nuclear reactor.
• ⚡ Electrical: conventional 12-volt system versus complex circuit with plutonium reactor (decoration).
• 🎨 Body: matte stainless steel versus polished with additional air intakes.
• 🕰️ Interior: standard panel versus digital clock and time period switches.

The cooling system deserves special attention. In the film, a temperature of 1.21 gigawatts is required to activate travel. In reality, powerful fans hidden in the bumper were used to cool the engines on set. This made it possible to avoid overheating during long periods of inactivity of the running motor.

Body structure and famous doors

The most recognizable feature of the car is the doors that open vertically. This design, known as a "gull-wing", was chosen not only for aesthetics, but also for the characteristics of the car's frame. Constructor DeLorean used a central spar, which made traditional doors technically difficult to implement. The vertical stroke became an elegant solution to an engineering problem.

However, such a system had its drawbacks. In the film, the characters often open doors in cramped garages or parking lots, which in reality would be impossible without damaging the roof. For filming, special mechanisms were used to allow the doors to be opened even with minimal space above the car, but in production models this was a serious problem.

The car body is made of 304 stainless steel with a thickness of about 1 millimeter. This material does not require painting and does not rust, but it is easily scratched and does not hold heat well. That's why in the salon DeLorean It was often cold, and the outside of the car quickly warmed up in the sun. For the film, the body was additionally polished to a mirror finish so that it would better reflect the light of the spotlights.

⚠️ Attention: The stainless steel of the body is not bulletproof and is easily deformed by impacts, so the owners of the originals install additional frame reinforcements.

Modifications for different parts of the trilogy

In each part of the trilogy, the car looked different, reflecting changes in the timeline. In the first part we see a prototype with a plutonium reactor. In the second part, a version appears with “Mr. Fusion” - a device that converts garbage into energy. The third film introduces us to the Wild West version, equipped with a steam engine and wooden wheels.

Several full-size mock-ups and models were used for filming. Some of them were only suitable for static scenes, others could be driven, and others were intended for stunts. For example, for the train scene in the third part, a special lightweight body was built that could be safely destroyed in a collision.

Comparison of time machine versions:

Part of the film	Energy source	Appearance Features	Year of installation
Back to the Future 1	Plutonium	Classic look, red numbers	1985 (1955)
Back to the Future 2	Mister Fusion	Flying wheels, hoverboard	2015
Back to the Future 3	Steam boiler	Wooden wheels, pipes	1885

Each modification required a unique approach to decoration. For the "steam" version, engineers had to hide the modern V6 engine under massive pipes and a boiler, while maintaining the ability to drive the car. It was a real challenge for car decorators.

The fate of the cars after filming

After filming ended, the fate of the cars turned out differently. Most of them were dismantled for parts or destroyed in the process of stunts. However, several copies survived and became museum exhibits. One of the original cars was in the Universal Studios collection for a long time, attracting thousands of tourists.

In 2011, one of the cars was sold at auction for a record amount of more than half a million dollars. The buyer was a private collector who wished to remain anonymous. This confirms the status DeLorean as one of the most valuable artifacts of the film industry.

How many total machines were used?

More than 20 DeLoreans were built and modified for the filming of trilogy. Most of them have not survived to this day in their original form.

There are also many replicas created by fans around the world. Some of them are made with incredible precision and are equipped with working electronics that replicate the functionality from the film. Owner movement DeLorean actively supports interest in the model by organizing meetings and shows.

Is it possible to buy a DeLorean today?

Buy original DeLorean DMC-12 today it is quite possible, but it will require significant financial investments. The market for these cars is quite narrow, and prices for examples in good condition are constantly rising. It is important to understand that you are not just buying a retro car, but a piece of history with all the attendant maintenance difficulties.

Company DeLorean Motor Company (new, rebuilt brand) even offers new cars assembled from old spare parts using modern engines. This allows you to enjoy the design of the classics without the reliability problems of the old motor. However, the price of such new retro may shock.

• 💰 Original price: from $60,000 to $100,000+ depending on condition.
• 🔧 Spare parts: available through specialized catalogs, but expensive.
• 🛠️ Maintenance: requires specialists who know the specifics of the model.

⚠️ Attention: When purchasing a DeLorean, be sure to check the condition of the frame for corrosion; despite the stainless body, hidden elements may rust.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it true that the car from Back to the Future flew?

In the second part of the film, the car was modified for flight by installing an anti-gravity converter. In reality, none of the cars could fly. For filming, cables, cranes and special stands were used, which were removed in post-production. There were also jet-powered models for short jumps, but these were dangerous stunt machines.

How much did the DeLorean cost at the time of the film's release?

In the early 1980s, the basic cost DeLorean DMC-12 was about 25,000 US dollars. This was considered a very high price for the time, especially given the low engine power and build quality issues. Today, the price of a restored example can reach six figures.

Why do doors open upward?

The design of the car was based on a central load-bearing beam. Making traditional doors was difficult due to the lack of side posts. The vertical opening became a compromise solution, which later became the calling card of the model. However, this made boarding and disembarking in tight spaces extremely awkward.

Is DeLorean still around?

John DeLorean's original company went bankrupt in 1982. However, in the 2000s the brand was revived by a new company DeLorean Motor Company in Texas. They restore old cars, sell spare parts, and even produce limited editions of new cars with modern engines.