📸☝️🙇 @brarlander, “Marty:” @lesliemedia
Hello. My name is Scott, and I am the very fortunate owner of a very special vehicle. I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
This is a 1981 DMC DeLorean, VIN #4549, which has been converted to resemble the original “Time Machine” as featured in the legendary "Back To The Future" movie series.
It is a great privilege both to own, and to share with others.
📸☝️🙇 @kilotesla (IG)
As a kid, I was a fan of the Back To The Future movies.
Once in a blue moon, I would see a DeLorean on the highway and think: what a cool car. The slick body design, unique gull-wing doors and stainless steel body made for an incredible and unique look. I didn't know, nor care that some felt the car was a letdown; to me, they looked amazing - and the BTTF movies were just more fuel on that fire.
2009: A DeLorean I spotted in the SF South Bay Area, California.
In 2010, I bought a model car for my desk at work. The idea of owning a real full-size stock DeLorean was a distant thought - almost a joke, perhaps a dream. I would occasionally wonder if anyone sold, built or converted these cars into Time Machines.
2010: “So, I got that DeLorean I've always wanted.” (At the office.) In retrospect, that has aged well.
On Saturday, September 7th, 2013 at precisely 2:36:52 PM, I saw something that planted a seed; the realization that a childhood dream might not always have to be just a dream.
This was up the street from my home in San Francisco at the time, and I could not believe what I was seeing: A full-scale DeLorean Time Machine replica, co-branded between Uber and G.E., #brilliantmachines, some sort of promotional thing.
I couldn't believe my eyes, but I can tell you precisely what I was thinking…
Wait a minute… This is real. This exists. Someone is making these. 😲
Egon Spengler: There's something very important I forgot to tell you.
Peter Venkman: What?
Egon: …Don't cross the streams.
Venkman: …Why?
Egon: It would be bad.
Venkman: I'm fuzzy on the whole good / bad thing. What you do you mean, bad?
Egon: Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.
Ray Stantz: Total protonic reversal.
Venkman: That’s bad. Okay. Alright, important safety tip, thanks Egon.
In retrospect, 09.07.2013 was a key event for me. Because of that - perhaps another story, for another time - in 2016, I got into the Ghostbusters “universe” and acquired a full-size proton pack, doing Hallowe'en and other events for fun. I would add something every year, whether smoke or light or sound effects. In a way, this helped me to understand what it was like to really take on a commitment to a role, character, or franchise.
Time passed - and while “Bustin' makes me feel good,” I never forgot about that one time while when out and minding my own business, I saw that incredible car.
“Live The Dream” was the original DeLorean slogan. Nearly eight years after that "IRL" Time Machine sighting, I had the privilege to stop dreaming the dream - and start living it.
It took fifteen months, and six figures. It's the most ridiculous, biggest, silliest and most fun, most engaging, and most personally-rewarding thing I've done to date; and, it's been incredible. I'm pretty sure I could have a working Time Machine, and I wouldn't change a thing around this timeline.
This car is a tool that enables me to bring surprise, joy and delight to others in a very special, if particular, way. It brings me joy, to bring joy to others.
A DeLorean, let alone a "Time Machine" build, is a bit of a high-maintenance vehicle; it can be occasionally stressful, but it can be managed. It is a commitment, one I felt I had to be ready for. For my efforts thus far, the returns on investment have been priceless.
15 months after it began, "first look" on delivery day. It was a very good day.
"Goes well with concrete." A side note: I don't have any extra digits that I'm aware, but there's a funny reflection just at the "wrong" spot. 😂
This car draws attention when I go out driving - whether for coffee, showing a friend around or running errands. It is part of the fun of owning a car like this; there's rarely a dull moment, and it definitely makes routine tasks more fun. As Doc said, though, it's not meant to be about the driver: “Not me, the car! The car!” 😂
I enjoy just finding a good spot to park and hang out, demonstrating the time circuits to passers-by and helping them get photos. It is fun to wave people over and invite them to see things up close, and bring them into the experience. If this was your car, I'm sure that you would do the same for me.
This project took fifteen months, and it delivered; it feels like a gift that keeps on giving.
I feel like one very lucky - and, dear reader, one very grateful - son of a bitch.*
“Your friend in time,”
- Scott
Inquiries: @in_flux.ca on IG, or email: scottschiller ("at the Google mail one.")