Back to the Future DeLorean Diecast: Every Version Explained

2026-10-17

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Few movie cars are as instantly recognizable as the DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future. The brushed stainless steel body, the gull-wing doors and the tangle of cables and vents on the back make it one of the most collected screen cars in the hobby. The tricky part is that there is not just one DeLorean. Each film changed the car, and model makers have produced a version of almost every look.

This guide walks through each version, the scales and brands to choose from, and how to build a small set that tells the whole story. We currently have 18 Back to the Future models and sets in stock, from Jada, Corgi and Metal Earth, priced from about $16 to about $54. You can see the DeLorean models together in our DeLorean Models section.

A quick history of the real car

The real DeLorean DMC-12 was built in Northern Ireland in the early 1980s, and only a few years of production followed before the company closed. Its unpainted stainless steel panels and gull-wing doors made it look futuristic even when it was new, which is a big reason the filmmakers picked it as Doc Brown's time machine.

In the movies, the car travels through time when it hits 88 miles per hour, powered by the flux capacitor. That screen story is why the models look so different from a plain DMC-12: each one carries the extra hardware the film added.

The versions, film by film

When you shop for a DeLorean model, the film name on the box tells you which look you are getting.

• Part I (1985). The original time machine, with the large reactor on the back and the rear vents and coils. This is the version most people picture first, and it is the best place to start a collection.
• Frost version (Part I). This shows the car just after a time jump, covered in a frosty, icy finish. It is a fun alternative to the clean brushed-metal look and stands out on a shelf next to the regular car.
• Part II (1989). The car has been upgraded for the future, with the "Mr. Fusion" unit on the back in place of the reactor. Some models show the wheels folded down for flight, which is the famous "flying" or hover look.
• Part III (1990). The car is in the Old West of 1885. Models come in two styles: the regular Part III car, and the train wheel version fitted with railroad wheels for the movie's finale on the tracks.

A complete trilogy shelf usually means Part I, Part II and Part III side by side, with the frost and train wheel versions as bonus pieces.

Choosing a scale

Scale changes how much detail you see, how much shelf space you need and how much you spend. Our Back to the Future range comes in three sizes.

• 1/24. The largest size we carry for this car. Jada's 1/24 Hollywood Rides DeLoreans in our stock include working lights, and the bigger body shows off the rear hardware and the stainless finish. Most are about $44. See all 1/24 scale models or read our 1/24 scale guide.
• 1/32. A smaller, more affordable size. Jada's 1/32 DeLoreans are about $16 each, which makes it easy to collect every film version without a big budget or a big shelf. See all 1/32 scale models.
• Nano. Jada's tiny Nano Hollywood Rides cars are small enough to sit on a desk, and they come in sets.

If you want one great display piece, choose 1/24. If you want every version, 1/32 is the friendly way to do it.

Brands and what we stock

• Jada makes almost all of our Back to the Future range through its Hollywood Rides series. In 1/24 we have the Part I car with lights, the frost version with lights, the Part II flying version, the Part III car and the Part III train wheel version. In 1/32 we have Part I, the frost version, Part II, Part III and the Part III train wheel version. You can also browse Jada 1/24 models.
• Corgi offers the DeLorean time machine together with a Doc Brown figure, a nice choice if you like a model with a character beside it.
• Metal Earth makes a DeLorean as a steel model kit that you build yourself. It is rated moderate difficulty and is a good pick for someone who enjoys building as much as displaying.

Sets, anniversary editions and extras

The first film came out in 1985, so 2025 marked its 40th anniversary. Jada released 40th Anniversary editions in special packaging, and we stock the Part I DeLorean in both 1/24 and 1/32 anniversary boxes, plus a 1/32 frost version in the anniversary packaging. If you collect boxed models, these are a nice way to mark the milestone.

For a whole trilogy in one purchase, look at the sets:

• A 1/32 set of 3 Hollywood Rides DeLoreans.
• A Nano 3-piece set of the time machines.

There are also pieces that go beyond the car itself:

• A 1985 Toyota SR5 pickup in black with Marty's skateboard, in 1/24 from Jada. It is the truck Marty dreams about in the first film and pairs well with a 1/24 DeLorean.
• A Hill Valley Courthouse Nano Scene diorama from Jada, with the clock tower, a black pickup and a DeLorean. It is a small scene that captures the movie's best-known location.

Displaying your time machines

The DeLorean's stainless finish shows dust and fingerprints easily, so a clear case is worth it, especially for the 1/24 models with lights. Our display case guide explains which case fits which scale. Some easy display ideas:

• Line up Part I, II and III in film order, left to right.
• Put the frost version next to the regular Part I car to show "before and after" a time jump.
• Pair the 1/24 DeLorean with the 1/24 Toyota pickup for a Hill Valley street scene.
• Keep anniversary editions in their boxes if you think you may want to keep them sealed.

Questions collectors ask

Which Back to the Future DeLorean model should I buy first?

Start with the Part I time machine. It is the version most fans know, and we stock it in 1/24, 1/32 and as part of sets, so you can pick the size that suits you.

What is the difference between the 1/24 and 1/32 DeLoreans?

The 1/24 models are larger and the ones we stock have working lights, at about $44 each. The 1/32 models are smaller and cost about $16 each, which makes collecting all the versions easier.

What does "frost version" mean?

It shows the DeLorean covered in a frosty finish, as it looks in the film right after a trip through time. It is otherwise the Part I car.

Are these models toys?

They are collector models with small, delicate parts like mirrors and rear hardware, so they are best for display. Check the age label on each model before buying it for a child.

Start your trilogy

Browse all DeLorean models or the wider Movie/TV Series Models section. Shop by brand with Jada, Corgi and Metal Earth, or by size with 1/24 and 1/32. Looking for a version we don't have? Contact us and we will check with our suppliers.