If you’ve ever asked yourself, “what was the car in back to the future,” you’re certainly not alone. The stainless steel DeLorean DMC-12 became a time machine in *Back to the Future*, forever linking the car to pop culture. This article will give you the complete story behind that iconic vehicle, from its real-world troubles to its cinematic immortality.
We’ll look at why this specific car was chosen, how it was modified for the movie, and where you can see the original props today. You’ll get a clear picture of how a failed sports car became one of the most recognizable pieces of movie history.
What Was The Car In Back To The Future
The car was a 1981 DeLorean DMC-12. It was chosen by director Robert Zemeckis and writer Bob Gale after they considered several other options. The car’s unique gull-wing doors and brushed stainless steel body made it look like it was from another time already, which was perfect for the story.
In the film, this DeLorean is modified by the eccentric scientist Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown into a time machine. The conversion required 1.21 gigawatts of electrical power, usually generated by a plutonium-fueled nuclear reactor. Later modifications allowed it to run on more accessible power sources, like a lightning strike or energy from Mr. Fusion.
The Real DeLorean DMC-12: A Brief History
Before it was a time machine, the DeLorean was a real car with a troubled past. It was the creation of John DeLorean, a former General Motors executive. His dream was to build an ethical sports car, but the project was plagued with problems.
The car was built in a factory in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland, during a period of political unrest. Quality control issues were common, and the car’s performance didn’t always match its futuristic looks. The company went bankrupt in 1982, just years after production started. Ironically, the movie’s release in 1985 gave the failed car a legendary second life.
Key Specifications Of The DMC-12
- Body: Brushed stainless steel panels over a fiberglass underbody.
- Doors: Iconic gull-wing design that opens upward.
- Engine: Rear-mounted PRV (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo) 2.85L V6.
- Power: Approximately 130 horsepower.
- Top Speed: Around 110 miles per hour.
Why The DeLorean Was Chosen For The Movie
The filmmakers had a few key reasons for selecting the DeLorean over other cars. Their initial ideas, like using a laser to cut a hole in time, evolved into the concept of a vehicle-based time machine. They needed a car that looked unlike anything else on the road.
First, its appearance was otherworldly. The stainless steel body didn’t need paint, and it reflected its surroundings, making it seem like it didn’t belong in any era. Second, the gull-wing doors added a sci-fi feel that regular doors couldn’t match. Finally, the car was already a curiosity, which fit Doc Brown’s character as a inventor who would seek out unusual parts.
An early script even considered using a refrigerator as the time machine, but this was wisely changed to avoid children trapping themselves in appliances. The DeLorean was a much safer and more cinematic choice.
Modifications: From Sports Car To Time Machine
Turning a stock DeLorean into the Time Machine was the work of production designer Lawrence G. Paull and special effects expert Kevin Pike. They created several versions of the car for different filming needs.
Exterior Changes And The “Flux Capacitor”
The most noticeable modifications were on the outside. The time circuit control panel was mounted between the seats, but the exterior gadgets sold the transformation.
- The famous “flux capacitor” was a pulsing light box installed in the center of the car’s interior console. Doc Brown famously explained, “The flux capacitor is what makes time travel possible.”
- The time circuits display, showing destination, present, and last-departed dates, was mounted just above the passenger-side sun visor.
- For the time travel effect, the car was covered in fiberglass molding with neon tubes underneath. When activated, white-hot streaks of light would engulf the vehicle.
- In the first film, a nuclear reactor with glowing rods was visible in the rear engine compartment. This was later replaced by the “Mr. Fusion” home energy reactor in the sequels.
Different Versions Built For Filming
The production didn’t rely on just one car. They built multiple DeLoreans to handle various shots and stunts.
- Hero Car: This was the fully functional, detailed car used for close-up shots and scenes where the actors were driving. It had all the working lights and interior details.
- Lighting Car: Dedicated to the time travel sequences. It was covered in hundreds of feet of neon tubing and fiberglass channels to create the iconic light trails.
- Flying Car: For Part II and III, when the DeLorean gained flight capabilities. This version was often suspended from wires or cranes, and was sometimes just a lightweight shell.
- Stunt Cars: Reinforced versions used for crashes, like when the car returns from 1955 and crashes into the Pine Mall theater.
The DeLorean’s Role In The Film’s Plot
The car isn’t just a vehicle in the movies; it’s a central character. Its limitations and quirks directly drive the plot forward in every installment.
Back To The Future (1985)
In the original film, the DeLorean’s need for a massive electrical charge creates the central crisis. After Marty McFly accidentally travels to 1955, the plutonium needed to fuel the reactor is gone. Doc Brown devises a plan to use a lightning strike on the town clock tower to generate the 1.21 gigawatts needed to send Marty home. The race to get the car to that exact point at the exact time creates the film’s thrilling climax.
Back To The Future Part II (1989)
The car evolves. Now fitted with Mr. Fusion (which converts household waste into power) and a “flux capacitor,” it can fly. This allows the characters to navigate a futuristic 2015. However, the car’s vulnerability is shown when the elderly Biff Tannen steals it to alter the past, creating an alternate 1985. The story again revolves around retrieving and fixing the time machine to restore the timeline.
Back To The Future Part III (1990)
Stranded in 1885, the DeLorean faces its greatest challenge: a pre-electricity world. With a damaged fuel line, the car is rendered unusable. Doc and Marty must devise a plan to push the car to 88 miles per hour using a steam locomotive, since the lightning method is not reliable. The car’s destruction by the train at the end of the film serves as a poignant farewell to the machine, though a new one is hinted at.
Where Are The Movie Cars Now?
Many of the screen-used DeLoreans still exist and are on public display. Fans can visit them at museums and exhibitions.
- The most famous “Hero Car” from the first movie is owned by Universal Studios and is often displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
- Another major Hero Car is part of the permanent collection at the Hollywood Museum in Florida.
- A restored “A” car, used for many driving scenes, is frequently showcased at the Volo Auto Museum in Illinois.
- Some privately owned screen-used cars occasionally appear at fan conventions and auto shows.
These cars are meticulously preserved. They remain powerful symbols of the film’s enduring legacy, attracting visitors who want to see the real answer to the question, “what was the car in back to the future.”
The Cultural Impact Of The Time Machine
The DeLorean’s fame transcended the movies. It changed how people saw the real car and cemented itself in global pop culture.
Rescuing The DeLorean’s Legacy
The movie essentially saved the DeLorean from being a mere footnote in automotive history. Today, the car is almost exclusively associated with time travel. A small company in Texas acquired the original parts inventory and still services and sells refurbished DeLoreans, a business that thrives largely on the film’s popularity.
Homages And References In Other Media
The time machine DeLorean has been referenced in countless TV shows, video games, and other films. It appears in animated series like *Rick and Morty*, and parodies are common. It’s a universal shorthand for time travel, instantly recognizable even to people who haven’t seen the *Back to the Future* trilogy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kind Of Car Was Used In Back To The Future?
The filmmakers used a 1981 DeLorean DMC-12. Its stainless steel body and gull-wing doors made it the perfect choice for a time machine that needed to look out of place in any era.
How Many DeLoreans Were Used In The Films?
At least seven DeLorean cars were modified and used during the filming of the trilogy. These included hero cars for close-ups, a dedicated lighting car for time travel effects, and reinforced stunt cars for action sequences.
Could A Real DeLorean Reach 88 Mph?
Yes, a stock DeLorean DMC-12 could reach 88 miles per hour, though not very quickly. Its top speed was rated around 110 mph, so reaching the critical time travel velocity was technically within its capabilities, if just barely.
What Happened To The Cars After Filming?
Most of the screen-used cars are preserved in museums. The primary hero car is owned by Universal and displayed at the Petersen Museum. Others are at the Volo Auto Museum and in private collections, occasionally appearing for public events.
Why Did They Pick A DeLorean?
Director Robert Zemeckis wanted a car that looked like it could be a spaceship or a time machine. The DeLorean’s unpainted stainless steel finish and unique doors made it look futuristic and strange, unlike any common car on the road in the 1980s. It visually represented the invention of an eccentric genius.