The DeLorean DMC-12 as used in the Back to the Future film trilogy is one of the most iconic movie cars of all time. However, other than its distinctive styling and the stainless steel body that Doc Brown found useful in creating his time machine, the DeLorean was a fairly unspectacular car, both in performance and build quality.
On the other hand you have the other Back to the Future movie car: the 1976 BMW 633CSi that was heavily modified to become villain Griff Tannen’s hovering hot rod in Back to the Future Part II. Unlike the DMC-12, the 633CSi started as a very well built and very good-performing car that, with some attention from the right owner, could become that kind of a car again.
Sadly, right now, it is not in good shape, performance wise or condition wise. But if you want a genuine, movie-used E24 BMW you could buy it and fix it up. You’ll have to move fast, however. The car is for sale at auction at http://www.icollector.com/Back-To-The-Future-2-Griff-s-Future-BMW-18401_i23434740, and the current bid is only $10,000.
The car runs—sort of—and has most of its parts. It is definitely in better shape than when the Back to the Future production company bought it as salvage for $400. To prepare it for its cameo role, the car was painted, plastic injection-molded “futuristic” panels were glued to the body, and “Mag-Lev” hover conversion packs were strapped to the wheels.
In Back to the Future Part II, the car makes its appearance in the year 2015 coming in for a landing outside of the Hill Valley drug store where Marty McFly—impersonating his own son—will confront Griff Tannen and his crew. The 633CSi’s movement is all artificial. What you never saw on screen was the forklift that provided all the car’s motion; it never operated under its own power.
It does now, however—barely.
The car’s current owner is a bonafide movie geek who saw his opportunity to save the car and took it. Now that he has done some restoration work and collected or had built some of the movie car’s parts, he thinks it’s time for the next owner to take it to the next level.
The auction house provides a few more details: “The car was restored with new paint and interior in 2004. All fiberglass hover conversion bits were repainted with new Mag-Lev Hover Conversion Systems stickers placed where needed. Two tires have been replaced as the originals were dry-rotted (originals included if wanted). New back deck had to be created behind the seats as the original one was missing and the molds were not available (new deck is easily removed for servicing vehicle's suspension). The car had it's ignition system replaced to get it running again as it never ran during production. It now runs, though a bit rough.
“The broken taillight lens is assumed to be original as it was found in the trunk of the car. As seen in the movie, Griff breaks it with his baseball bat when swinging at Marty. The taillights are not wired as they are not original for the BMW 6-series, they are from a 1983 BMW 320i as they are much cheaper to replace during production for numerous takes.”
The current owner offers more information on the car’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GriffsBMW.
The following video provides a pretty good look at how well the car performs today.
For some, this car is nothing more than an eyesore; but for others, it’s a BMW that appeared in one of moviedom’s most memorable film series. What is certain is that someone out there has the funds, the passion, and the knowledge to acquire this BMW and restore the interior, drivetrain, and running gear of this classic E24 BMW to the same level—or better—than its renovated movie costume. Except for the Mag-Lev hover conversion, of course. Even in the real 2015, Mag-Lev hover conversion parts are hard to find.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of iCollector.com and Chris Rutkowski. Video courtesy of theAFICIONAUTO.]
