Bristol: Man Buys Time Machine

20 April 2014, 12:07 | Updated: 20 April 2014, 12:16

A man from Bristol has invited Heart to check out his new time machine: a Back to the Future DeLorean.

It is not quite the original which was used in the smash-hit trilogy, but it is ''screen accurate'', explains owner Ollie Wilkie, who has been a lifelong fan of the car and the movies.

He tells Heart he bought the replica for an undisclosed sum from a man in Leeds.

From the thickness of the wires running over its wheel arches, to the iconic boosters at the back, the brushed stainless steel sports car has been lovingly and faithfully made to resemble its movie namesake.

It even contains replica props from the '80s franchise, such as the futuristic Nike hi-tops, the Gray's Sports Almanac, and Ollie's own custom-made Mattel hoverboard, which is as light as a feather as it is made out of foam.

Concealed within the vehicle's body are also speakers, which play movie quotes and sound effects, such as when the time circuits are turned on.

"It was a bit like Christmas morning'', Ollie tells Heart, when he first got his hands on it. ''You just want to go and play with it.

"This was number one on the bucket list. I'm very lucky to own it.''

He now plans to hire it out for car shows, corporate events, and even weddings:

"I've had at least four, if not five, wedding enquiries for October 21st 2015, which is the date in the future where they go in the second film. That certainly is a popular date for people planning Back to the Future themed weddings.''

He has even had a run-in with the police, but in a good way:

"I was going up to Castle Combe race circuit and pulled in to let the engine cool down for a bit.

"They'd overtaken me to take photos. We had a chat, they sat in the car. I think it made their day, so it was nice to get that reaction.''

Ollie admits that not everybody recognises the car, though, and it can be quite tricky to drive.

The chassis is low and long, the bonnet is barely visible, the body is wide for country lanes, and there is no rearview mirror.

But despite those challenges, Ollie says he still loves his ''ultimate boys' toy''.

He tells Heart: "I mean, who wouldn't want to be Marty McFly?"