Skip to main content

Toyota reincarnates Marty McFly’s dream truck for Back to the Future Day

Doc Brown’s DeLorean time machine may have stolen the show, but there was another automotive star in Back to the Future. That would be the 1985 Toyota pickup truck that Marty McFly lusts after, and then ends up driving at the end of the movie. With Back to the Future Day celebrations in full swing (the storied Back to the Future date is October 21, 2015) — and the end of 30 years of speculation., Toyota couldn’t resist reminding everyone of its role in the franchise.

Toyota is doing a lot to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Back to the Future (and mark the “future” day Marty McFly and Doc Brown traveled to in Back to the Future Part II), and that includes recreating Marty’s dream truck. Only this time, the truck being unveiled at Statler Toyota is a 2016 Tacoma.

The recently revamped midsize truck goes retro to represent the state of automotive fashion in 1985. It wears a similar 1985 Toyota Truck paint color to the movie vehicle, has the same mud flaps, and even has backdated headlights and taillights. The word “Toyota” is also spelled out on the tailgate, and there are “D-4S” (fuel injection) badges, just like in the ’80s.

Of course, the Back to the Future Toyota wasn’t stock, so neither is this one. It sports off-road suspension and Toyota Racing Development wheels, plus some delightfully retro off-road accessories. Those include tubular front and rear bumpers, a light bar, and plenty of KC HiLites lighting. Thin LED light bars may be all the rage today, but nothing beats the look of those KCs.

Copies of the Back to the Future Tacoma will be displayed at “major tourist destinations” in Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas today. Along with the customized truck, Toyota also unveiled a Back to the Future-themed 2016 Mirai at a party for the 1,900 people who signed up to hydrogen fuel-cell car in their garages. Inspired by the DeLorean time machine, it comes complete with gull-wing doors and a head-up display of time-travel destinations.

In a press release from ToyotaBack to the Future co-creator and producer Bob Gale offers some background on the manufacturer’s partnership with the franchise. “Toyota stands apart for their nod to the future and the past with the auto technology depicted in the movies. When Toyota approached us about helping tell a bigger story about the future and innovation with the Mirai, we loved the direction — and who can resist Marty’s retro Toyota truck?”

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Alpine sale: Up to $160 off speakers and subs for your car
alpine speaker sale crutchfield march 2024 car and amp setup on table

If you’re looking to kit your car out with some superior speakers or a subwoofer, Crutchfield is the place to go today. Right now, there’s a huge sale on Alpine subwoofers and speakers with nearly 50 different items forming the sale. As there are so many options, the best idea is to hit the button below to see what’s around. If you don’t know where to start though, read on while we take you through some great items in the sale.

What to shop for in the Alpine sale
Buying the best aftermarket car speakers are important for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road and is currently dealing with a mediocre sound system. One good starting point in the Alpine sale is the 2-way speakers for $104 instead of $130. You get two 2-way speakers with a polypropylene/glass fiber/mica woofer with a specialized rubber surround. There’s a one-inch silk dome tweeter with speakers able to handle up to 80 watts RMS with 240 watts peak power. The grilles aren’t included but the factor ones should be fine for most purposes.

Read more
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more
Hyundai Ioniq 9: price, release date, range, and more
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Front

Hyundai has been at the forefront of EV development for a while now, largely thanks to the success of the crossover-sized Hyundai Ioniq 5. But the company is readying another new EV that could be even more popular than the Ioniq 5 -- or at least more desirable in the U.S., the land of big cars.

The upcoming Ioniq 9, previously set to be called the Ioniq 7, will be Hyundai's take on an electric SUV. It will be to Hyundai what the Kia EV9 is to Kia. It will have three rows and carry over design elements from the Ioniq 5.

Read more