For countless car enthusiasts, certain vehicles transcend mere transportation; they become symbols of dreams, aspirations, and pop culture moments. For me, the DeLorean DMC-12 has always been that car. My first encounter wasn’t on the silver screen, but in the hallowed halls of a science museum, an experience that ignited a lifelong passion for this iconic, futuristic machine, the ultimate “Back In Future Car.”
It was 1982, and a school field trip to a science museum in Columbus, Ohio, unexpectedly altered the course of my automotive desires. There it stood, bathed in museum lighting, a 1981 DeLorean DMC-12. As a kid more fascinated by the blinking lights of computers than the rumble of engines, I was utterly captivated. This was unlike any car I had ever seen. Its stainless steel skin shimmered, reflecting the lights, and its design was so sleek and otherworldly, it seemed poised for interstellar travel, a true vision of a “back in future car.” The gull-wing doors, rising like the hatch of a UFO, only amplified its mystique.
Alt text: Captivating DeLorean DMC-12 with open gull-wing doors, stainless steel body gleaming under museum lights, embodying a futuristic “back in future car” aesthetic.
While my classmates remained largely indifferent, I was spellbound. Had I been old enough to drive, I might have been tempted to vault the velvet rope, slide into the driver’s seat, and embark on an impromptu joyride. Instead, I remained transfixed, spending what felt like an eternity circling the car, absorbing every detail until it was time to rejoin my group.
Fast forward three years to 1985, the year “Back to the Future” exploded onto cinema screens. Witnessing Dr. Emmett Brown transform a DeLorean into a time-traveling marvel cemented my childhood crush into an unwavering obsession. At 13, owning this “back in future car” became more than a dream; it was a necessity. Of course, by then, the DeLorean Motor Company was defunct, and the DMC-12 was rapidly ascending into the realm of collector’s items, further fueling the allure.
Two and a half decades passed. Life unfolded – marriage, fatherhood, the struggles of a writer’s life. Practicality dictated a series of reliable, if unexciting, Toyotas and Hondas. The DeLorean dream remained just that – a dream, always just out of reach. A 30-year-old, two-seater sports car from Ireland hardly seemed a sensible replacement for our family sedan. Yet, the flame never died. Countless hours were spent online, gazing at DeLoreans for sale (often during less-than-thrilling desk jobs), and regaling my endlessly patient wife with detailed accounts of the car’s unique quirks and features, usually met with a swift change of topic.
Then, a breakthrough. My first novel, steeped in 80s pop culture nostalgia, found a publisher. It felt almost ordained that my protagonist should drive the decade’s most iconic vehicle, the quintessential “back in future car”. And in a twist of fate worthy of a movie plot, the book deal provided the means to finally realize my dream. The justification, at least in my mind, was ingenious: purchase the DeLorean, use it for author photos, drive it to conventions and book signings – a promotional expense! My wife remained unconvinced, but I held out hope for my tax accountant’s understanding.
The search culminated in Houston, Texas, where I located a pristine 1982 DeLorean, one of the last produced before the factory doors closed forever. The price: $37,000. The drive home was nothing short of euphoric. While the DeLorean’s handling is undeniably reflective of its age – lacking power steering and modern acceleration – behind the wheel, I felt transported, not just geographically, but into the cockpit of a spaceship, a real-life “back in future car” experience.
Alt text: Author beaming while driving his newly acquired DeLorean DMC-12, experiencing the fulfillment of his “back in future car” dream on the open road.
Every drive is an event. Heads turn, horns honk in admiration, thumbs-up gestures are frequent. Even law enforcement officers offer smiles and nods of appreciation. Routine errands to the supermarket transform into mini-adventures, knowing the DeLorean awaits. Returning to the car invariably means encountering a small crowd, phones in hand, capturing photos of this “back in future car” icon and peering into its distinctive interior.
Initially, my wife remained on the fence about my purchase. That is, until one day, a man stopped his car in traffic, knelt before the DeLorean’s hood in apparent reverence, and bowed down. It was then that she seemed to grasp the cultural significance, the enduring appeal of this “back in future car.” Now, the DeLorean has become our date night vehicle of choice.
The modifications have begun. The most frequent question, of course, is, “Where’s the flux capacitor?” Responding to popular demand, I acquired a screen-accurate replica from a prop maker. Mounted at the rear, plugged into the cigarette lighter, it illuminates and hums, mirroring its cinematic counterpart. The license plate, “ECTO88,” is a subtle nod to the 88mph time-travel speed from the movie.
Further movie-inspired enhancements are planned, blurring the lines between road legality and cinematic fantasy. But as Doc Brown wisely proclaimed, “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” Owning this “back in future car” is about more than just transportation; it’s about fulfilling a dream, embracing nostalgia, and experiencing a piece of movie magic in real life.
