Question: What kind of car was the time machine in Back to the Future?
Show answer
A DeLorean DMC-12.
In the iconic 1985 film “Back to the Future,” directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg, the time machine was ingeniously crafted out of a DeLorean DMC-12. This choice of vehicle added an undeniable charisma to the cinematic adventure, with the DeLorean itself becoming an emblematic figure in pop culture.
The DeLorean DMC-12, often simply referred to as the “DeLorean,” was a sports car manufactured by the DeLorean Motor Company in the early 1980s. It boasted gull-wing doors and a stainless-steel body, attributes that gave the car a futuristic appeal, making it an apt choice for a time-traveling vehicle. The aesthetic appeal of the DeLorean, combined with the innovative premise of the film, captured the imaginations of audiences worldwide.
In “Back to the Future,” the eccentric scientist Dr. Emmett Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd, retrofits the DeLorean with a “flux capacitor,” which is the core component enabling time travel. However, the vehicle requires 1.21 gigawatts of power and must reach a speed of 88 miles per hour to successfully traverse time. Initially, Doc Brown uses plutonium to generate the necessary power, but by the end of the film, he innovatively modifies the car to run on a “Mr. Fusion” reactor, which can convert household waste into energy.
The DeLorean’s significance in the film is not merely as a mode of transportation but as a central plot device, weaving together storylines across multiple timelines. The challenges faced in acquiring fuel, reaching the necessary speeds, and ensuring the vehicle’s safety render the DeLorean as much a character in the story as Marty McFly or Doc Brown.
While the DeLorean Motor Company had a brief and tumultuous history, leading to its bankruptcy in 1982, its legacy was cemented by “Back to the Future.” The car’s integration into the film transformed it from a commercial failure into a cultural icon, symbolizing the boundless possibilities of the future and the adventures that come with traversing the corridors of time.
