One of the most iconic movie vehicles of all time has to fall the DeLorean. This quintessential embodiment of 80s design is synonymous with travelling through time, be it to the wild west or a future version of Hill Valley. The Time Machine is the heart of the Back to the Future trilogy. Now it’s also the inspiration for a large-scale LEGO® version. It’s a set fans have been keen to see ever since we were treated to a much smaller version thanks to LEGO Ideas predecessor, LEGO CUUSOO. Now the famous time-travelling DeLorean is the latest addition to the LEGO for Adults Vehicle Collection. Depending on which era you travel to, the Time Machine can be converted to match its appearance in all three films. Ready those Time Circuits and get ready to take a closer look at the LEGO Back to the Future Time Machine.
Product Details
Back to the Future fans, we’ve got the ultimate project for you: the LEGO® Back to the Future Time Machine (10300) model building kit for adults. Indulge your passion for one of the world’s most loved movie trilogies, building 1 of 3 versions of the time-traveling car.
Take time over the details
Doc and Marty travelled at 88 miles per hour, but you can take as long as you like building all the impressive details of this set. Authentic features include opening gull-wing doors, tires that fold for flight mode, the light-up flux capacitor, printed dashboard dates and opening bonnet, plus a hoverboard and swappable licence plates. With Doc and Marty minifigures, this model creates a perfect display piece to pay tribute to your favourite movie.
- Set Name: Back to the Future Time Machine
- Set Number: 10300
- Pieces: 1872
- RRP: £149.99/$169.99/169.99€
- Number of Bags: Bags x 11 + additional elements
- Stickers: Sheet x 2
- Instructions: Booklet x 1 + LEGO Building Instructions App
- Availability: LEGO Stores & LEGO Online
Building the Time Machine is split across 11 bags, with some steps having a couple of bags per numbered step. There’s also a bag of additional pieces, which includes tyres and wire elements. There are also two small sheets of stickers. These are used to add detail, mainly to the interior of the car such as the Flux Comparator and Time Circuits display. As part of the alternative styles, there are also stickers to represent the different number plates. The instructions have a little background to the set and the movie prop that has inspired it, this includes an introduction from Bob Gale.
The Time Machine is an interesting looking vehicle even before being converted by Doc Brown. Based on the DMC DeLorean sports car, which was briefly produced in the early 80s. Its iconic appearance is perfectly suited to the era Back to the Future was released as well as the time periods it’s used to visit, well the future at least. Both it’s off the production line’ features along with those added for the movies also translate into an interesting LEGO build. Neatly combining form and function. Much of the working components of the set are found in the base of the car. This includes a handle in the chassis which is used to move the wheels into hover mode. This is sort of ‘held’ in place by a couple of yellow bricks, which are removed later on during the build. Guide bricks are also used to slightly raise the set during construction. The four clear 2×1 bricks can be removed once the wheels are added; they also come in handy when the car is kitted out in its Back to the Future Part III guise.
Once the chassis is complete, you add the rest of the car around it. This includes the iconic interior, with its Flux Capacitor, Time Circuit readout and all the various junk added by Doc Brown. This can vary depending on which version of the Time Machine you create, but more on that later. Obviously, the DeLorean is a very unique looking vehicle and its sharp angles are well suited to LEGO elements. But to perfectly capture its sloping bonnet, a new element has been introduced. It’s a little difficult to describe but it has the same footprint as a 2×4 brick, but the base is stepped and the top half of the element is sloped. The set features a strip of three of these new pieces that frame the bonnet and help to achieve its long front. I’m glad the piece has been created as it really helps to give the set a perfect recreation of the real car. Another key part of the Time Machine is the Flux Capacitor, in the set this employs the use of a light brick, which illuminates the case of it, found inside the car.
Whilst we are around the front section of the car, the bonnet isn’t fully complete until the end of the build, due to the different accessories which can be outfitted to the set. But the bonnet cover is on a sort of floating hinge. Underneath it, you’ll find a box of plutonium and Marty’s hoverboard. The front is also home to a newly introduced angular window, but it is not the part that is the impressive thing here. The clear element is now wrapped in a small sheet of film. This protects it from getting marked up by other elements in the box. It’s a small step but one which greatly impacts the set as you won’t be faced with glaring marks or scratches on the piece out of the box.
As much as the outer shell and interior of the car are important, it’s the bits added by Doc Brown, which offer the most detailed part of the build. The Flux Capacitor and the various gadgets needed to power it are all located in the rear of the car. There’s a whole host of parts used here to recreate the pipes, wires and whatnot to help the car travel through time. I often find these sorts of elements annoying to add, they often look good but are a pain to connect. That’s not the case here, I greatly enjoyed connecting the various tubes, flexible pipes and wires. Especially as it was obvious many were meant to sit. Unfortunately, not all the finishes are 100%. The drum-lacquered silver elements used on the trim of the car suffer a little in the quality front. Many of them have scuffs or little production marks on them and they are rather noticeable.
As fans of the film will know, the DeLorean’s appearance is tweaked across all three films. In the first film, the Time Machine is powered by a large conductive rod fitted to the back of the car. In Part II the DeLorean features a repulsorlift flying unit. This feature allowed the wheels of the car to swivel 90 degrees and then deploy flight thrusters to take the vehicle into the air. This is a feature built into the functions of the set. In Part III, the tires are switched out for white and red-trimmed ones and the bonnet gains a wooden box, filled with extra gadgets. All three versions can be built, using the base of the DeLorean and adding different combinations of additional elements. This is a great aspect of the set as it allows fans to create the version they love the most. However, I’m not a fan of having to take sections apart to use the parts to create another section. For the small number of pieces needed to be able to all build the various add-on parts at the same time, it seems odd they were included. It would be so much easier and user friendly as well as offer a swifter way to transform the car into its variants.
Back to the Future
Back to the Future Part II
Back to the Future Part III
Once the car is complete, the last part of the build is a UCS-style display panel. This features a stickered plate detailing information about the Time Machine as well as being the perch for two new Minifigures. Obviously, these are Marty McFly and Doc Brown, who are each kitted out in their 2015 outfits. Emmet Brown is wearing his futuristic mirror shades and yellow trench coat. Marty is a lot more similar to his previous Minifigures versions but is wearing his 2015 red jacket and now has print detail on the legs to represent his auto-lacing Nike trainers. Although there is an odd gap with no print on which could be considered the ankle area. In fact, it’s a trend with quite a few recent minifigures with leg print.
It’s nice to have new versions of these characters, especially since their previous two appearances have been identical, except for a hairpiece. My only gripe with this is the plate upon which the two minifigures stand needed to be a stud or two longer as the two characters cannot stand next to each other without their arms being stretched out in front of them. I know it’s nothing major but it is slightly annoying.
Review Round-up
Vehicles featured in movies and TV shows often become cult icons. They provide a focal point for fans and the wider audience alike. The DeLorean Time Machine is a much-loved part of the Back to the Future films and it’s no surprise it’s a vehicle LEGO fans have long wanted to see transformed into a brick-built recreation. After building it I can safely say it’s a great set, with fantastic working elements.
For
+ Fun build with great details
+ Option to build three versions
+ Nice working features
Against
– Extra pieces for alternate builds should have been included
– ‘Missing’ print on minifigure legs
– Display stand too short to neatly hold both minifigures
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This set was provided by the LEGO Group for purposes of review. The thoughts within this review are that of BricksFanz and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group or Universal Pictures. Providing a set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
