Continuing our story from this summer, we're in California and my whole family came out to surprise me as an early birthday celebration. Theresa's already organized a trip to the Hollywood Bowl, The Broad, the Comedy and Magic club, and more. But there's one surprise that she's kept under wraps. The family knew about it, but I was going to be surprised.
So, on a Saturday in June, we piled into the car, and with Patrick driving, started heading north up the freeway. We exited towards Burbank and I was thinking maybe we'd be doing something with Ruston at the Disney studios. Or maybe some other special Hollywood event. We parked in a random neighborhood and I had zero clue why.
Theresa has organized something with someone named Adam Kontras, and he met us outside of his house, confirming that I still had no idea what was going on.
I was led to the side of the house and told I had to close my eyes. I'd have to change shirts for this event, and put on a new hat. Ah... as soon as I felt the material of the hat, I had an idea of what this was. I collect many many hats, and there's one hat I have that has that exact feel.
IT'S A DELOREAN! The car from one of my favorite movies ever, Back to the Future!
Housed in the backyard, in its own version of the clock tower is a special Delorean that was The Fastest Delorean in the World! Seriously! Owner Adam Kontras made a documentary about it and his journey, swapping out the stock engine with a Corvette V8 and hitting a top speed of 179.5mph with a 12.29s quarter mile.
And we get to hang out in it for the next hour. Along with making the fastest Delorean, Adam has also started RentTheDelorean.com, a site where people all over the world can find someone with a Delorean in their area who is willing to rent it out for experiences.
Like a childhood dream. As a big fan of the films, of course I've imagined being behind the wheel. I've even thought about having a Delorean of my own! Adam said that everything they say about maintenance of them is true though. Super difficult to find parts, and things are constantly breaking. And he said that instead of attracting the attention of all the ladies, he gets all the attention from middle-aged men... Yeah, I can totally see that.
Adam has also been working on another project. Years and years ago, Universal Studios had a Back to the Future ride, where you visit Doc Brown and take a trip in a new 6 passenger Delorean and travel through time chasing Biff Tannen. That ride has since gone into Yesterland, replaced by The Simpsons and Despicable Me. But, with the advent of VR, he has worked to recreate all the screens and deliver that same 3D experience at home.
It was super cool to be experiencing the ride again, this time sitting inside an actual Delorean with my hands on the steering wheel.
Super fun Theresa!
Everyone took their turn in the drivers seat, getting a chance to watch the VR experience.
He was very gracious, taking lots of pictures with us.
He even gave out memorabilia. Vote for Mayor Goldie Wilson buttons.
And photos that he signed for us.
Awesome!
Gotta get a picture of Donald and Adam together. Both were a part of The Fastest Delorean documentary.
It was super cool to see Mayor Goldie Wilson here, adding an extra special bonus to an already amazing day.
Along with the Delorean, Adam has a bunch of props based on the movie. Definitely have to play dress-up since we're here.
My favorite movie was always Number 2 where they travel to the future in 2015! The self-adjusting jacket, self-lacing Nikes, and of course a hoverboard.
Pulling out my pants pockets because all kids in the future wear their pants inside out.
Looking the part. Pretty awesome. 
It's hovering, for real! Honest!
Along with the props, Patrick brought a Sports Almanac, the driving plot device from the second movie.
Complete with the holographic bag and receipt.
Adam said he's had a few of these with the Delorean, but they keep "walking off" somehow.
What a feeling.
Happy my brothers could be here for this too. We would all watch Back to the Future together growing up, and it was a favorite of everyone.
Hoping in the car. It's not street legal at the moment, so we can't drive it around.
Roads? Where we're going, we don't need... roads.
We all wanted to dress up and get behind the wheel.
And Donald left them some autographed pictures too.
Avery hasn't seen Back to the Future yet, but Patrick and Megan told her she'd appreciate the pictures later.
Even the parents hopped in.
Adam has this one looking just like the movie. Finding all those components can be difficult! He said that when they made the movie, they just grabbed random things because they could combine it with something and it would look cool. Now, an original vacuum cleaner from that time period might go for hundreds of dollars, just because a part on it was used as a prop for the Delorean!
There was one other special thing that Adam had planned that he didn't even tell Theresa about. See, he's been running RentTheDelorean for years now, but just recently sold it to another dedicated owner. After years of parading his Delorean around car shows, driving celebrities, attending weddings with it, and keeping the car in display shape, he's moving on to new projects. We are his very last group ever to come see it.
And so, unknown to us, another special guest who has been a part of many of the other Delorean experiences is coming here to surprise us.
Oh my! It's Mayor Goldie Wilson from Back to the Future, Donald Fullilove!
He came around the corner and said "Hello Citizens! This is Mayor Goldie Wilson!"
A pretty cool jacket he's got on too.
Donald has to take off, and Ian, Alli, Avery, and the parents are still in traffic trying to get up here. He recorded them a video though, which was really nice of him.
Shocked that these are big enough for my feet.
The kids and parents arrived a little later. We're getting to about the end of our hour, but we've got enough time for the kids to jump behind the wheel and get pictures.
The electronics all worked. Twist the handle and the time circuits turn on.
Shield your eyes from the light. Couldn't just put a cover over it, could you Doc Brown?
The speedometer on the original Delorean couldn't even display 88mph, the required speed to reach time travel. They had to update the dashboard for the movie.
Enter the dates you like to go on the keypad.
This Delorean has seen some celebrities. Adam said he drove Lea Thompson (Lorraine Baines McFly) into Dodger Stadium in it. He's also had the visors autographed by Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown).
And Michael J Fox (Marty McFly)!
And there's not a whole lot of room inside either. My head is making use of the extra space in the door paneling. It's not super easy to see out of the front windshield, and my legs are scrunched up too. Definitely a cool car, but not a particularly practical car.
Love all the stainless steel.
The back is outfitted with all the proper circuits.
Of course there's a Mr Fusion.
Currently rocking the futuristic license plate.
A look at that Fastest Delorean in the World engine.
We even have some futuristic bottles of Pepsi Perfect.
Thanks Theresa! This was a really cool experience!
Thank you Adam! It was really cool to see the car! Thanks for organizing everything and surprising us with a visit from Mayor Goldie Wilson too!
And thanks to all the family for coming out to California and surprising me for my birthday! It was really awesome to have everyone here for this.
Waiting for me on my nightstand at the hotel, I found this model Delorean signed by everyone and with one of my favorite quotes.
A couple things I noticed sitting in it. First, it's really really low to the ground. Even on a pedestal, it's a very low car.
"Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one!"
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