In the automotive world, creating a clone can be as simple as replacing the stock emblems with a set of SS badges on the outside of a Nova, as I was guilty of in the eighties. However, some are much more complex, with this 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 here on eBay as noteworthy as a fine piece of art as it is for being a well-crafted clone of the Time Machine from the box office hit Back To The Future. This one’s also instantly recognizable, so no worries of folks scratching their heads and wondering what’s going on here. As cool as this one is, my first impression is that there might be a limited audience here, for ownership that is, although the opportunity for spectators is unlimited. I was wrong, as 107 bids have already driven the price up to $65,655, so head on over to Duncanville, Texas, if you want to see this one in person before deciding how much you’re willing to invest.
Looking underneath all the props, the DeLorean itself seems to be a fine example, with the exterior panels all appearing straight and fitting properly. The interior is also said to have been refreshed, with the seats, carpeting, and the remaining stock instruments appearing to be in excellent condition, so the integrity of the base car seems A-OK. The additional good news is that the transformation into Marty McFly’s driver was also performed to a high standard, taken on by Bob’s Prop Shop in Dallas, which has apparently built more than 50 of these time machines. The Time Circuits are interactive, meaning you can enter and change the dates, or just set them to “demo mode” and see what happens. In the rear, the Flux Capacitor is also said to operate just as we saw in the film.
Outside, the metal bands also light up, and it’s important to note that the seller assures us that everything attached to the body is on securely, so they won’t be coming off as the DeLorean approaches 88 MPH. With all these illuminated gadgets, one might wonder if a quickly draining battery might become an issue. Thankfully, the answer is no, as the props are powered by a Lithium battery with a built-in charger. Just plug it into the port behind the back right wheel, and you can leave the effects running for as long as your heart desires!
With all the items sitting on top of the rear deck, the question might arise of how to get to the engine. Fortunately, Bob and his boys also made accessing the powerplant an easy task, as the lid can be propped up with a rod for easy access. Many of the mechanical components remain stock, and it’s also nice to find that this DeLorean is also equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission. The workmanship here appears very good, and with the desirability of even a base DeLorean remaining high, I’m guessing the price will go up considerably before this one’s ready to fly into the unknown with the next owner. What thoughts do you have to share about this Back To The Future Time Machine?
“Low mileage, Only driven from time to time but don’t ask about the last trip.
Too, maintenance records are scattered: some on microfilm, some on floppy disk.
Need to sell fast. Made a terrible stock market decision in 1996 and need the cash now..”
All kidding aside, the lithium iron phosphate battery is a far better choice for powering the extra gadgets.
“Nev1/2, you’re not thinking 4th dimensionally!”
Great Scott!
seen others here, for different movies. I always wonder if it’s not out of the movie’s back lot, an original being passed around, rather than a clone. Or may be that’s what this means. At any rate,
a lill like provenance (“But… but, Mr Jones! owned this car!” or “Pardon me! this is the car that won at Jones Raceway 1939.”) I dont give a… ‘extra penny’ for them. Just another car to me. The movie cars I’d like to remove all the ‘stuff’. Even the ‘tribute cars’ (how many “General Lee”s can there be? ’68/9 GULF GT40s and so on) hit the ’no thank you’, the off button for some reason. But I dont have the clothes with the maker’s labels all over me, adverts for some multinational. Just a grumpy ol man I guess …
Once read that the first draft of the film’s script called for Doc Brown to build his time machine from a refrigerator. Whoever came up with the DeLorean idea was genius. I wonder if DeLoreans would have been largely forgotten if not for the movie?
I would rather have a dead stock one.
The seller is well known for making these replicas.
These do not appeal to me at all, nor even a stock DeLorean, but if you have to have one of these, this is the place to buy it from.
This is from the end of the first movie cause I see the top of a “Mr. Fusion” in the back between the exhausts.
80K now with 8 days to go. Must be a lot of fans out there.
My favorite line in the beginning of the movie…. Marty Mcfly saying, “Wait a minute, Doc. Are you telling me that you built a time machine… out of a DeLorean?”
His delivery of that line, was spot on.
Well they did a good job and 113 other people must think so. It is sitting at 80K. The car doesn’t interest me, it’s a lot of money for a car that you’re not really going to drive much
“Roads? Where we’re going…we don’t need roads”
I saw a stock one at a car show this summer and two young children were peppering the owner with questions and advice. The five year old girl warned him about going back in time because “the Indians will get you”. LOL! -CT Dave
88 miles per hour and sending you back to the future!
I’d often enough see all those beaten to death flux capacitor jokes from yahoos posting comments under just regular Deloreans. I suppose in this case they’ll go into hibernation.
Wow 145K and a couple more like this one went for 20-30k more elsewhere. So a good investment when the average price for a stock one is 50-60k.
SOLD for $145,100.
142 bids.