The Original 1998 Time Machine Conversion by Doug Vaters

Rear shot of the car with a nifty OUTATIME plate that was built from a Universal Studios Florida consumer license plate.

If you’re going to build a time machine out of a DeLorean, you’ve got to first acquire one. Here in some rare shots from the original build in Florida which happened in 1998. Many of these parts were constructed of wood and paper and have since been replaced with more accurate materials. We will be doing complete refurbishment of our DeLorean Time Machine in 2013 for the car’s 15th anniversary of becoming a permanent Back to the Future temporal displacement vehicle.

Our time machine was first converted in Florida by a builder who intended to show the car at a parade.
Our time machine was first converted in Florida by a builder who intended to show the car at a parade.
When the DeLorean was first acquired by the initial builder in 1998 there were some missing elements.
When the DeLorean was first acquired by the initial builder in 1998 there were some missing elements.
In lieu of red capacitors, the car has featured three red stand-in elements on the driver's side pontoon.
In lieu of red capacitors, the car has featured three red stand-in elements on the driver’s side pontoon.
Cardboard dipped in fiberglass hardened the vents and Mr. Fusion base. This was eventually replaced by the subsequent owner Mark Shields with real fabricated aluminum vents.
Cardboard dipped in fiberglass hardened the vents and Mr. Fusion base. This was eventually replaced by the subsequent owner Mark Shields with real fabricated aluminum vents.
Initial cabling and flux on the front fender was next up for the conversion.
Initial cabling and flux on the front fender was next up for the conversion.
Mr. Fusion was built from a wooden cylinder and mounted atop another wooden base. Not accurate but not bad for 1998.
Mr. Fusion was built from a wooden cylinder and mounted atop another wooden base. Not accurate but not bad for 1998.
More detail added to the front flux band. These are made of accurate piping but used Gutter Guard material in lieu of the correct flux material. Also, the black clamps are made of wood and were eventually replaced in 2012.
More detail added to the front flux band. These are made of accurate piping but used Gutter Guard material in lieu of the correct flux material. Also, the black clamps are made of wood and were eventually replaced in 2012.
A side view from the driver's side pontoon to show off the Mr. Fusion facade piece.
A side view from the driver’s side pontoon to show off the Mr. Fusion facade piece.
More details being added to the time machine in this later shot.
More details being added to the time machine in this later shot.

Iconic front-shot of the time back in 1998.

Another front shot of the DeLorean time machine rental.
Another front shot of the DeLorean time machine replica.
Cabling is key in replicating a time machine. Here the dorsal cabling is added.
Cabling is key in replicating a time machine. Here the dorsal cabling is added.
Original builder Doug Vaters hops into the DeLorean and waves hello.
Original builder Doug Vaters hops into the DeLorean and waves hello.
Finally a passenger side shot of the car.
Finally a passenger side shot of the car.
This was actually on of the photos used in the raffle that was intended to sell the car. This did not go as planned and the raffle idea was scratched when an offer was made.
This was actually on of the photos used in the raffle that was intended to sell the car. This did not go as planned and the raffle idea was scratched when an offer was made.
Rear shot of the car with a nifty OUTATIME plate that was built from a Universal Studios Florida consumer license plate.
Rear shot of the car with a nifty OUTATIME plate that was built from a Universal Studios Florida consumer license plate.
Passenger side pontoons featured green tubes made out of wood from a lathing process.
Passenger side pontoons featured green tubes made out of wood from a lathing process.
An overhead lighting system used simple Christmas lights and colored gels adorned the roof. Mr. Fusion was by far the most complex system in the car and featured LED fluxing that could be controlled in speed.
An overhead lighting system used simple Christmas lights and colored gels adorned the roof. Mr. Fusion was by far the most complex system in the car and featured LED fluxing that could be controlled in speed.
Components built by Vaters and Bruce Coulombe in the cabin of the car. A grep dash carpet hid the damaged binacle and dashboard that had languished in the Arizona sun years before.
Components built by Vaters and Bruce Coulombe in the cabin of the car. A grep dash carpet hid the damaged binacle and dashboard that had languished in the Arizona sun years before.