Movie DeLorean to be auctioned in US

The DeLorean consigned for the 'Icons of Hollywood' auction is a genuine article from Back to the Future III, and was used in the 1955 drive-in movie scene where Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) drives the car into 1885 to find Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd). This unit was specially fitted out for the off-road use required for those scenes, so had body strengthening and beefed up suspension.

One of seven DeLoreans used in the back to the Future trilogy, the example for auction is one of three survivors and the only one in private hands, the other two belonging to Universal Studios. After filming wrapped for the 1990 movie, the car sat on the Universal backlot for more than a decade, with a short period on display at the Petersen Auto Museum in Los Angeles, before it was sold to the current owner in 2003.

The car is in good overall condition, and is still fitted with movie-related props. It comes with a Universal Studios certificate of authenticity and an original Bill of Sale with the vehicle's VIN. After being consigned with Profiles in History, the DeLorean was a big hit at San Diego's ComicCon event in July and is expected to attract even more interest this December. Given its rarity and verified provenance, Profiles in History estimate the Back to the Future III DeLorean will sell for US$400,000 - US$600,000.

The DeLorean is the "biggest" of more than 100 Back to the Future-related items from all three movies consigned for Icons of Hollywood. Other items include genuine props, costumes and memorabilia, crew jackets, hoverboards (cool!), original poster artwork and more. A percentage of the proceeds from the auction will go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

Another lot from the Profiles in History auction that should appeal to car fans is the 'Gulf' racesuit worn by Steve McQueen in the iconic 1970 racing movie, Le Mans. Won by a British teenager in 1971 as part of a Le Mans-themed newspaper competition, the suit is still in superb condition and carries a pre-auction estimate of US$200,000 - US$300,000.

For more details on this December's Icons of Hollywood auction, go to www.profilesinhistory.com


Image courtesy of Profiles in History and Nancy Seltzer & Associates.