Great Scott. It’s heavy.
If you grew up in the 80s or 90s, the DMC-12 isn’t just a car; it’s a time machine. Period. And honestly, LEGO knew exactly what they were doing when they released the LEGO Back to the Future DeLorean (set number 10300) back in 2022. They weren't just selling plastic bricks. They were selling a ticket back to 1985, 1955, and 2015 all at once.
Most people see a LEGO box and think "toy." But this thing? It’s a 1,872-piece engineering marvel that captures the frantic, cluttered, and iconic aesthetic of Doc Brown’s greatest invention. You've got the gull-wing doors. You've got the flux capacitor that actually lights up. You've even got the tiny printed dates on the dashboard that show November 12, 1955. It’s that level of obsessive detail that makes this specific set stand out in a sea of licensed products.
The Three-In-One Problem (And Why It's Brilliant)
Here is the thing about this set that confuses some builders at first: you can't build all three versions at once.
LEGO basically gives you the base chassis and then asks you to choose your destiny. Do you want the original 1985 version with the lightning rod? Maybe you prefer the Part II version with the fold-down hover wheels and the Mr. Fusion reactor? Or perhaps the 1955 "Old West" version from Part III with the hood-mounted circuit board and the white-wall tires?
It’s a bit of a dilemma. You’re sitting there with nearly two thousand pieces, and you realize if you want the hover conversion, you’re leaving the hood-circuits in the bag. Most collectors I know—myself included—eventually feel the itch to buy three separate sets just to display the full timeline. It’s a genius, albeit expensive, move by the LEGO Group.
The build itself isn't just a repetitive slog of grey bricks. It’s surprisingly complex. The mechanism that allows the wheels to fold down into "hover mode" is tucked away in the undercarriage, using a series of rubber bands and Technic arms. It’s satisfying. You flip a switch on the bottom, and cluck-shick, the wheels snap into place. It feels sturdy. It feels like it could actually survive a trip to 88 miles per hour, though I wouldn't recommend dropping it from that height.
Realism vs. Playability: Where the Bricks Meet the Road
Let's talk about the flux capacitor. It uses a specialized light brick. When you push the button, it glows. It’s a small touch, but in a dark room, seeing that "Y" shape illuminate behind the seats brings a genuine sense of nostalgia.
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The scale is also worth noting. This isn't the tiny, blocky Cuusoo version from 2013 that looked like it was made of Minecraft blocks. This is part of the "Icons" line (formerly Creator Expert). It’s big. It’s roughly 14 inches long. That size allows for things like the opening gull-wing doors, which stay up thanks to a clever friction-pin system.
But it’s not perfect. No LEGO set is.
Some builders have complained about the "Brilliant Blue" tint on some of the grey pieces, a common manufacturing quirk in recent years. And then there's the windshield. It’s a large, custom-molded piece that, if you aren't careful, can get scratched right out of the box.
Still, the inclusion of the new-style Marty McFly and Doc Brown minifigures—complete with the hoverboard and a crate of plutonium—makes up for any minor gripes. The printing on Marty’s "Life Preserver" vest is crisp. Doc’s yellow suit from the end of the first film is spot on. They even included the "OUTATIME" license plate and the 2015 barcode plate.
Why the LEGO Back to the Future DeLorean Dominates the Aftermarket
If you look at the history of LEGO movie cars, like the Ghostbusters Ecto-1 or the 1989 Batmobile, the DeLorean occupies a special niche. It’s one of the few sets that has maintained its "cool factor" across generations.
Why?
Because Back to the Future is a perfect movie. And this set is a physical manifestation of that perfection.
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There's a specific psychology at play here. When you're building the LEGO Back to the Future DeLorean, you’re reliving the scenes. You’re thinking about the clock tower. You’re thinking about "Earth Angel." You’re thinking about Biff’s car full of manure. The manual even includes interviews with the set designers and movie trivia, making the building process feel like a documentary experience.
For the serious investor, this set is a goldmine. While I'm not a financial advisor, looking at the price trajectory of retired "Icons" vehicles shows a clear pattern. Once this set leaves shelves—and it will—the price on the secondary market usually skyrockets. People who missed out on the initial run will pay a premium for that "Mr. Fusion" piece alone.
Breaking Down the Build: A Step-by-Step Reality Check
The first few bags are all about the frame. It’s heavy on Technic. If you hate Technic, you might struggle for the first hour. But hang in there.
Once you get to the interior, the fun starts. You’re placing the time circuits. You’re installing the seats. The dashboard is a mix of stickers and printed elements. Yes, there are stickers. I know, some people hate them. But in this case, they add the "junkyard" aesthetic that Doc Brown’s workshop was known for.
The exterior involves a lot of SNOT (Studs Not On Top) building techniques. This is how LEGO achieves those smooth, metallic angles of the DMC-12 without having bumpy studs everywhere. The way the hood slopes down is particularly clever, using hinges and plates to create a seamless look.
One thing to watch out for is the alignment of the doors. If you don't click the Technic pins in just right, the doors might sag. Take your time. Double-check the orientation of the grey connectors.
Comparing the Versions: Which One Should You Build?
If you're torn on which of the three versions to display, here’s a quick breakdown of the vibes:
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- The 1985 Original: This is the purist’s choice. It’s clean. It has the lightning rod attachment (which is quite tall, so check your shelf height). It feels like the beginning of the journey.
- The 2015 Hover Version: This is the most "high-tech" look. You get the Mr. Fusion (which looks adorable in LEGO form) and the wheels tucked under. It’s great if you want to mount it on a clear stand to make it look like it's flying.
- The 1955 Railroad/Desert Version: This is for the hardcore fans. The hood-mounted circuitry is a pop of color (reds and yellows) against the grey. It feels more "steampunk."
Honestly, the "Part II" hover version is the most popular for a reason. It’s the version that showed us the future we’re still waiting for.
Technical Specs and Display Tips
- Piece Count: 1,872 pieces.
- Dimensions: Over 4.5 in. (12 cm) high, 14 in. (35 cm) long, and 7.5 in. (19 cm) wide.
- Lighting: The flux capacitor light brick is included (batteries are usually already inside).
- Minifigures: Doc and Marty in their Part II outfits.
To really make the LEGO Back to the Future DeLorean pop, I recommend getting an aftermarket light kit. Brands like Light My Bricks or BriksMax make kits specifically for this set. They add LEDs to the headlights, the taillights, and even the "blue" glowing tubes on the side of the car. It turns a great model into a museum-quality display piece.
Also, keep it out of direct sunlight. The light grey bricks are notorious for yellowing over time if they’re exposed to UV rays. A glass display case is your best friend here. It keeps the dust out of the intricate engine details and protects those gull-wing hinges.
Practical Steps for the Aspiring Time Traveler
If you’re looking to grab this set, don't wait. We’re currently in that window where the set is still available but nearing its end-of-life cycle.
- Check official LEGO stores first. You’ll get Insiders points which you can use for discounts later.
- Verify the piece count. If you're buying "used" or "open box" on eBay, make sure the light brick still works and the specific 1955/2015 accessory pieces are included. Many sellers lose the small "Mr. Fusion" bits.
- Prepare your space. This isn't a shelf-sitter you can just cram anywhere. It needs breathing room.
- Download the LEGO Builder App. If you want to see the 3D 360-degree view of how the wheel mechanism goes together, the digital instructions are much clearer than the paper book for that specific step.
This set isn't just about the bricks. It’s about the feeling you get when you finish that last bag, step back, and realize you’ve built a piece of cinema history. It’s a reminder that "the future is whatever you make it," so you might as well make it out of LEGO.
The LEGO Back to the Future DeLorean is a rare example of a licensed product that respects the source material while pushing the boundaries of what a plastic brick can do. Whether you're a "Part I" enthusiast or a "Part III" defender, this build is a mandatory addition to any collection that values 1.21 gigawatts of pure creativity.
Next Steps for Your Build:
- Clear a 15-inch display space away from direct sunlight to prevent brick discoloration.
- Decide which movie version you want to build before you reach Bag 10 to save time on disassembly.
- Consider purchasing a vertical display stand to showcase the hover-mode wheels without stressing the bottom plates.