Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Travel 'Back to the Future' with this hovercraft DeLorean

Mitchell Tulk
Contributor
7 Nov 2019
2 min read

When Back to the Future was released in 1985, the DeLorean DMC-12 instantly became one of the coolest cars to ever grace the big screen.

It only got cooler when Doc Brown revealed the time machine could also fly.

Sadly, the cars in real life couldn't do this, but someone in the States has created the closet thing to a flying DeLorean in the shape of a hovercraft.

Built on top of a Universal Hovercraft UH-13PT, the body is made from plywood and fibreglass, so DeLorean fanboys can rest easy as the owner hasn’t gutted a genuine DMC-12 for the project.

Sharing the same dimensions as the actual coupe, the replica features a brushed stainless-steel exterior and those iconic gullwing doors.

There’s no 2.8-litre PRV V6 or Flux Capacitor here, instead the hovercraft uses a single-cylinder engine running a 24-inch lift fan, plus a 627cc two-cylinder at the rear providing thrust via a 36-inch fan.

Insert Flux Capacitor joke here.
Insert Flux Capacitor joke here.

In ideal conditions, the craft is able to reach speeds of 50km/h (31mph), so there’s no risk of accidentally traveling back in time.

After taking 11 years to complete, the DeLorean hovercraft was recently listed for sale on Bringatrailer, where it quickly sold for a tad over $US44,000 ($AUD64,000).

Mitchell Tulk
Contributor
Following a passion shared by his father and grandfather, Mitchell’s love of cars really kicked off with his Godfather’s purchase of a new Mazda RX-8. Exposure to that car changed his world forever, leading to an RX-7 obsession. To feed his automotive addiction, Mitchell decided to become a motoring journalist and made his mark at several high-profile motoring publications before landing at CarsGuide. While he is a rotary loyalist, Mitchell also has a massive love for Aussie muscle cars, and dreams of one day getting behind the wheel of a Charger R/T E49 (if anyone will let him). His other passions include Queensland, and spending Saturdays with the boys.
About Author

Comments