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5 Facts about the Back to the Future DMC DeLorean

Silver car with driver door opened up with led lights on inside and wrapping the vehicle — The DMC DeLorean time machine goes to the mall?
Source: Wiki Commons

The DMC DeLorean, with its futuristic gull-wing doors and sleek stainless steel body, became an iconic vehicle thanks to its central role in the “Back to the Future” film trilogy. While the car’s unique design and its association with time travel have cemented its place in pop culture, the story behind the DeLorean is filled with intriguing facts and lesser-known tidbits. Here are five fascinating facts about the DMC DeLorean that make it even more legendary.

Close up of a silver car with vents lights, wires, tubing, covering the back of the car

Silver car with doors opening up like wings with wires coming out of the car shown with a white background behind the car

#5 Mustang? Nope, not futuristic enough!
One of the most interesting aspects of the DeLorean’s journey to the big screen involves a Ford Mustang. Despite the DeLorean DMC-12 being chosen as the time machine, other car manufacturers offered their vehicles for consideration. Among them was Ford, which proposed a deal worth $75,000 to use a Mustang instead. However, producer Bob Gale famously rejected the offer, asserting that “Doc Brown doesn’t drive a f**king Mustang.” This decision helped solidify the DeLorean’s unique identity in the cinematic world.

Man with a colorful hat standing to the side and a red car is shown in background next to a building — Hard to imagine a Ford Mustang, could capture the allure and spectacle of the infamous DMC DeLorean.
Source: Universal

#4 Lone Survivor
Another captivating fact is that only one original DeLorean time machine from the first film still exists. During the production of the “Back to the Future” trilogy, three 1981 DeLorean DMC-12s were purchased. Over time, the cars were reused, dismantled, or destroyed. The original “A-car,” used in the first film, is the sole survivor. The “C-car,” which appeared in all three films, was eventually dismantled, with parts used to create a replica displayed at Universal Studios Japan. The “B-car” met its end when it was destroyed by a train in “Back to the Future III.” The “A-car” was initially displayed at Universal Studios Hollywood, stored, and later exhibited at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

Only 1 movie car exists today, the Petersen Automotive Museum houses the A-Car within its walls.
Source: Petersen Automotive Museum

Yellow train going through a car smashing it into pieces on a railroad — I’m sure you all thought a model car or a prop was used for this scene. But during filming of the Back to The Future, the B-Car DeLorean was crushed.
Source: Universal

#3 Cannot meet Time Travel Requirements
The DeLorean’s speedometer is another point of intrigue. Despite being powered by a modest 130-horsepower 2.8-liter V6 engine, the car needed to reach 88 mph to travel through time in the movie. However, the original speedometer only went up to 85 mph. To address this discrepancy, the filmmakers placed a sticker over the speedometer, showing 95 mph mark enabling the time machine to meet the requirements for time travel.