Back to the Future Turns 40: The Real Story Behind the DeLorean Time Machine

Great Scott! It’s been 40 years since Back to the Future first hit the big screen—and fans are celebrating the movie’s legendary time machine: the DeLorean DMC-12.

While the gull-winged vehicle is famous for its Hollywood role, its real-world origins began in Chicagoland in the 1970s. That’s when Allstate Insurance partnered with car designer John Z. DeLorean to help build a small, safe, fuel-efficient prototype car for U.S. lawmakers.

“It was really exciting that we developed that prototype,” said Sandee Lindorfer, VP of Auto Claims at Allstate. “We had no idea it would go on to become a movie icon.”

The car eventually caught the eye of filmmakers—and the rest is movie magic.

Tom Sedor of Orland Park owns one of these DeLoreans today, and he’s transformed it into an almost exact replica of Doc Brown’s time machine—complete with a flux capacitor and plutonium gauge.

“This is the element here that determines how fast we go,” Sedor explained. “Your time circuit tells you where you are, where you want to be, and where you were. On the far right side is the plutonium gauge—so you want to make sure you have enough to travel back to the future.”

Despite its futuristic look, yes—it’s street legal. “I drove it here!” Sedor said with a smile.

While the original design focused on safety and efficiency, the DeLorean went on to inspire generations of fans with its fictional time-traveling capabilities and unforgettable movie moments.

To this day, it still turns heads—and still brings joy wherever it goes.

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