Kit: ERTL Back to the Future II Time Machine 1/24 Scale
This model has a long history. From the first picture you would just have no idea how much went into it, so let’s begin!
I made this car an automatic, which made perfect sense since when I was a teenager I didn’t know how to drive a 5-speed. The seats actually slide back and forth on tiny rails.
The only stock pieces I used were the seats, but I added the little handles. I added seat belts, cargo net, and even the rear glass.
Stock radio and dashboard was created from scratch. Even the glove box opens! The BTTF kit had all the ‘stuff’ molded into the dashboard so it all had to be replaced. Tiny sun visors also visible in this picture.
The hood opens and stays open with tiny struts. The doors and hood actually have spring steel torsion bars that hold them open and tiny latches to keep them closed. Proper labels and carpet are all in place. And yes the little tool compartment door comes off as well!
Remove the carpet piece and there is the spare tire and front license plate holder.
This is the second set of louvres I made. The first ones cracked and generally didn’t look quite as accurate.
The louvres have their own struts as well, and underneath is the engine cover, again a second rendition. The first one was ok but not nearly as detailed.
Engine compartment, complete with scratch-built PRV-V6 Engine. Yes I upgraded the coolant bottle.
Vacuum hose and grounding labels under the engine cover.
During my restoration I added my own “Cave Painting” before adding the headliner. R.I.P. John DeLorean, 2005.
Oh, have I mentioned the 19 working light bulbs?
Tail Lights, backup lights, and even that weird engine bay light.
Dash and dome lights. These were insanely small bulbs – not LEDs. They were Grain of Sand bulbs for model train displays.
Yep even the one inside the trunk! That was particularly tricky with the thickness of the hood.
Old crummy picture showing the bank of switches to turn on/off the various selections of lights.
Underside of the car showing the frame and suspension. The electrical plug (driver rear quarter) is from an old walkman. It connects to a little power box with a push-button to turn on the lights.
And now we come to the totally scratch-built frame! I had a few photos in vintage magazines to work from. Fully wired and all hoses included.
The suspension works! I made the frame from sheet styrene one day. I sketched it out and cut strips to the right shape, and lots of glue and sanding later here we are.
This remains to this day my most complex build. Taking the BTTF II model from a shell and flying gear to this took ages. I redid the electronics 10 years after it was finished and spent a few years off and on refinishing it. Given it’s my favorite car of all time it makes sense that I would apply all of my skills to this built over so many years.
Still 100% proud of my work!