DeLorean DMC-12 changed the landscape of science fiction movies to a level that has automotive fans still reeling over “Back to the Future”. We see the reason though – the iconic 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 “Time Machine” made it through to the elusive club of cars at the National Historic Vehicle Register and is only the 29th car to make it through. The cult status the DeLorean enjoys is justified!
A great example is this outlandish carbon widebody modification by Boca Raton-based customization shop Salvage2Salvage in close quarters with automotive designer Khyzyl Saleem. This baby stole eyeballs at the recently concluded SEMA 2021 show. The Back to The Future ride was nowhere near this cool when the S2S lead fabricator Tim Moceri picked up a wrecked DMC-12, stripped it down to the barebones, and got down to giving it this drool-worthy makeover. While it looks like a beast from the outside, it doesn’t have the stock V6 engine or the flux capacitor with 1.21 GW of power to make one go tumbling down into the past.
Instead, it gets the 5.3-liter LS3 V8 engine hooked to a pair of Garrett turbochargers – churning out an impressive 1,000bhp. The gearbox is salvaged from a 996 generation Porsche 911, making it a classic mix of retro goodness any automotive lover will be willing to shell out a hefty sum of dollars. Alright, coming back to the mechanical components, the drivetrain is snug in place on the back – the turbo literally hangs underneath the car, making it a sports car you won’t want to ride on the race track chicanes or speedbumps of-course.
The final build seen at the automotive show is based on Khyzyl’s concept renderings, and it pretty much managed to emulate in real life, the vision on paper. It gets right the rear engine louver, blade-style headlights, and the active grid taillights. Or, for that matter the lowered suspension for a low rider-like appeal and the bulbous wheel arches draping the deep dish Sköl alloy wheels. Modern inclusions come in the form of custom wiring harnesses, a soundproof cabin, bumped-up STATUS seating, and the bespoke aluminum trim.
According to Tim, the wide-body kit will be replaced by carbon fiber in the future. So, will the modified KW suspension that’ll give way to an Air Lift Performance air-ride set up to strike the right balance? Until then, this DeLorean classic’s remake will be etched long in our memories.
Designers: Salvage2Salvage and Khyzyl Saleem
DeLorean DMC-12 at SEMA 2021
