‘Back to the Future’ DeLorean: From Sketch to Screen… and Beyond!

  • The original screenplay called for the time machine to be in a pickup, but director Robert Zemeckis, in a moment of inspiration, decided to change it to the gull-wing sports car. Some of the original concept art from the Universal archives.
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    The original screenplay called for the time machine to be in a pickup, but director Robert Zemeckis, in a moment of inspiration, decided to change it to the gull-wing sports car. Some of the original concept art from the Universal archives.

    The original screenplay called for the time machine to be in a pickup, but director Robert Zemeckis, in a moment of inspiration, decided to change it to the gull-wing sports car. Some of the original concept art from the Universal archives.
  • Sketches of front and rear of DeLorean.
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    Sketches of front and rear of DeLorean.

    Sketches of front and rear of DeLorean.
  • The DeLorean cockpit reimagined for skipping through time.
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    The DeLorean cockpit reimagined for skipping through time.

    The DeLorean cockpit reimagined for skipping through time.
  • Early design of rear interior of DeLorean.
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    Early design of rear interior of DeLorean.

    Early design of rear interior of DeLorean.
  • The Doc Brown-modded DeLorean was retrofitted by various parts scavenged from junkyards but the production designers.
    5/17

    The Doc Brown-modded DeLorean was retrofitted by various parts scavenged from junkyards but the production designers.

    The Doc Brown-modded DeLorean was retrofitted by various parts scavenged from junkyards but the production designers.
  • Storyboard showing the time machine in action.
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    Storyboard showing the time machine in action.

    Storyboard showing the time machine in action.
  • A more detailed breakdown of how the time-travel effect would be depicted on screen.
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    A more detailed breakdown of how the time-travel effect would be depicted on screen.

    A more detailed breakdown of how the time-travel effect would be depicted on screen.
  • During production on the film trilogy, the A and B cars were used for main action shots.
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    During production on the film trilogy, the A and B cars were used for main action shots.

    During production on the film trilogy, the A and B cars were used for main action shots.
  • The classic theatrical poster features Michael J. Fox hopping out of the iconic gull-wing DeLorean DMC-12.
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    The classic theatrical poster features Michael J. Fox hopping out of the iconic gull-wing DeLorean DMC-12.

    The classic theatrical poster features Michael J. Fox hopping out of the iconic gull-wing DeLorean DMC-12.
  • After seeing the original film in 1985, John DeLorean wrote a letter to producer Bob Gale and producer-director Robert Zemeckis. The automaker called the movie “absolutely brilliant. … I was particularly pleased that the DeLorean Motor Car was all but immortalized in the film.”
    10/17

    After seeing the original film in 1985, John DeLorean wrote a letter to producer Bob Gale and producer-director Robert Zemeckis. The automaker called the movie “absolutely brilliant. … I was particularly pleased that the DeLorean Motor Car was all but immortalized in the film.”

    After seeing the original film in 1985, John DeLorean wrote a letter to producer Bob Gale and producer-director Robert Zemeckis. The automaker called the movie “absolutely brilliant. … I was particularly pleased that the DeLorean Motor Car was all but immortalized in the film.”
  • After production wrapped on the ‘Back to the Future’ sequels, the A car was stowed on the Universal Studios lot in Hollywood, a fixture for years on the tram tour. But after two decades in the elements, it fell into disrepair.
    11/17

    After production wrapped on the ‘Back to the Future’ sequels, the A car was stowed on the Universal Studios lot in Hollywood, a fixture for years on the tram tour. But after two decades in the elements, it fell into disrepair.

    After production wrapped on the ‘Back to the Future’ sequels, the A car was stowed on the Universal Studios lot in Hollywood, a fixture for years on the tram tour. But after two decades in the elements, it fell into disrepair.
  • The A car’s Flux Capacitor remained inside the vehicle. This photo, taken in the '90s, reveals the wear and tear from exposure.
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    The A car’s Flux Capacitor remained inside the vehicle. This photo, taken in the '90s, reveals the wear and tear from exposure.

    The A car’s Flux Capacitor remained inside the vehicle. This photo, taken in the '90s, reveals the wear and tear from exposure.
  • After decades of neglect, a team of superfans with the support of producer Bob Gale, meticulously restored the Hero vehicle. First, they completely stripped the car and catalogued all parts.
    13/17

    After decades of neglect, a team of superfans with the support of producer Bob Gale, meticulously restored the Hero vehicle. First, they completely stripped the car and catalogued all parts.

    After decades of neglect, a team of superfans with the support of producer Bob Gale, meticulously restored the Hero vehicle. First, they completely stripped the car and catalogued all parts.
  • The restoration team found rat nests in the interior. After they were finished, the car was pristine. Can almost sniff the new-car smell!
    14/17

    The restoration team found rat nests in the interior. After they were finished, the car was pristine. Can almost sniff the new-car smell!

    The restoration team found rat nests in the interior. After they were finished, the car was pristine. Can almost sniff the new-car smell!
  • Here’s the completed Hero car before it was moved to its current home, in Universal’s on-site museum.
    15/17

    Here’s the completed Hero car before it was moved to its current home, in Universal’s on-site museum.

    Here’s the completed Hero car before it was moved to its current home, in Universal’s on-site museum.
  • The restoration team’s work was hailed by producer Bob Gale, who said the car “never looked this good, not even on the first day it rolled out of [the production] shop.”
    16/17

    The restoration team’s work was hailed by producer Bob Gale, who said the car “never looked this good, not even on the first day it rolled out of shop.”

    The restoration team’s work was hailed by producer Bob Gale, who said the car “never looked this good, not even on the first day it rolled out of [the production] shop.”
  • Restored to its full glory, the Hero vehicle is now proudly displayed in Universal’s museum as the movie celebrates its 30th anniversary… and beyond.
    17/17

    Restored to its full glory, the Hero vehicle is now proudly displayed in Universal’s museum as the movie celebrates its 30th anniversary… and beyond.

    Restored to its full glory, the Hero vehicle is now proudly displayed in Universal’s museum as the movie celebrates its 30th anniversary… and beyond.
The original screenplay called for the time machine to be in a pickup, but director Robert Zemeckis, in a moment of inspiration, decided to change it to the gull-wing sports car. Some of the original concept art from the Universal archives.
Sketches of front and rear of DeLorean.
The DeLorean cockpit reimagined for skipping through time.
Early design of rear interior of DeLorean.
The Doc Brown-modded DeLorean was retrofitted by various parts scavenged from junkyards but the production designers.
Storyboard showing the time machine in action.
A more detailed breakdown of how the time-travel effect would be depicted on screen.
During production on the film trilogy, the A and B cars were used for main action shots.
The classic theatrical poster features Michael J. Fox hopping out of the iconic gull-wing DeLorean DMC-12.
After seeing the original film in 1985, John DeLorean wrote a letter to producer Bob Gale and producer-director Robert Zemeckis. The automaker called the movie “absolutely brilliant. … I was particularly pleased that the DeLorean Motor Car was all but immortalized in the film.”
After production wrapped on the ‘Back to the Future’ sequels, the A car was stowed on the Universal Studios lot in Hollywood, a fixture for years on the tram tour. But after two decades in the elements, it fell into disrepair.
The A car’s Flux Capacitor remained inside the vehicle. This photo, taken in the '90s, reveals the wear and tear from exposure.
After decades of neglect, a team of superfans with the support of producer Bob Gale, meticulously restored the Hero vehicle. First, they completely stripped the car and catalogued all parts.
The restoration team found rat nests in the interior. After they were finished, the car was pristine. Can almost sniff the new-car smell!
Here’s the completed Hero car before it was moved to its current home, in Universal’s on-site museum.
The restoration team’s work was hailed by producer Bob Gale, who said the car “never looked this good, not even on the first day it rolled out of [the production] shop.”
Restored to its full glory, the Hero vehicle is now proudly displayed in Universal’s museum as the movie celebrates its 30th anniversary… and beyond.
Marcus Errico
·Editor-in-Chief, Yahoo Entertainment

The original screenplay called for the time machine to be in a pickup, but director Robert Zemeckis, in a moment of inspiration, decided to change it to the gull-wing sports car. Some of the original concept art from the Universal archives.

Source: Yahoo Magazines PYC

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