Since science has been around, the idea of time travel has been too. We are constantly perplexed, yet infatuated with the idea of being able to move through time—a feeling that has been brought to life through the magic of film.
While we may not be able to time-travel ourselves, we can watch our favorite characters get into some pretty wacky situations as they yo-yo through the decades. To champion them through this marvel of science fiction? Well, their trusty companion and vehicle, of course!
The DeLorean
Let’s get this one out of the way. The DeLorean is the time-traveling vehicle from the Back to the Future series. Its requirements for time travel included a flux capacitor, 1.21 gigawatts, and a top speed of 88 miles per hour.
The real-life car used to create this iconic character was a 1980s DMC-12, also known as the DeLorean Motor Company. The car had gull-wing doors, a rear-engine design, and a futuristic feel that made it the perfect counterpart for this loveable sci-fi movie.
A Phone Booth
This could mean one of two things. We’re, of course, referring to the Time And Relative Dimension In Space, also known as the TARDIS, from Doctor Who. However, we’re also happy to announce that another phone booth has entered the time travel zeitgeist: a clear glass booth from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
Now we know what you’re saying: Technically, the TARDIS isn’t a phone booth, it’s really a spaceship—Yes, thank you. You’re right. It still looks like a phone booth, though.
Funnily enough, the original script for Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure actually had them using a van, but they decided an actual vehicle would be too close to the DeLorean. Surprisingly, it's not a reference to Doctor Who either, as mentioned in an interview by writer Chris Matheson.
Pimp-Mobile
Yes, Austin Powers was bound to make this list as well. Featured in the movie Goldmember, this 1976 Cadillac Eldorado would travel through time with the press of a button, which also conveniently made it bounce like a standard lowrider car.
This car was the pinnacle of 70s flamboyance and excessiveness, with shiny burgundy paint, a gold grill, white wheels, and six exhaust tubes.
The best part of the pimp-mobile? It was issued by the Ministry of Defense.
Toyota Prius
Okay, okay— a Toyota Prius isn’t the prettiest or classiest vehicle available to us, but for Bart Simpson, it did just fine.
The Simpsons’ Back To The Future parody has Bart getting into a red Prius and traveling back in time to see his parents when they were younger. In typical cartoon fashion, Bart severely messes up the timeline and has to spend the rest of the episode trying to fix his mistake.
It’s certainly not a DeLorean, but this reliable hybrid hatchback still has its time to shine.
Forwards Time Machine
Again, we’d love to discuss another popular Matt Groening cartoon with you. Professor Farnsworth’s Forwards Time Machine causes a bit of a disturbance in this Season 6 episode of Futurama.
Aside from the episode just being really very good, the Forwards Time Machine has a unique look to it. It almost looks like a submarine, with bright green and purple detailing and a bright red interior.
This episode isn’t the last we see of the Forwards Time Machine either, as it makes an appearance in season 8’s holiday special.
