We’re approaching the storied Back to the Future date of October 21, 2015 — and the end of 30 years of speculation. What future products and innovations from the BTTF films have come to fruition?
We have already seen Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd discussing it in a diner, and now we get to cars. Toyota has teamed up with the franchise to introduce its own new vehicles, including the hydrogen-fueled Mirai FCV and a mystery truck, both of which will debut on October 21.
In the first film, Marty McFly dreams of owning a new black Toyota Hilux pickup truck. These were sold in the U.S. for the 1972-95 model years, before being replaced by the Tacoma. In the film, we see the truck being delivered to Statler Toyota on a flatbed. When Marty returns from 1955 to the present, he finds the truck in his garage — a gift from his parents.
Toyota’s new clip faithfully recreates the delivery of that same truck from Back to the Future. We are introduced to Jimmy Joe Statler, who addresses us in the standard dealership-issue mustard shirt and loud tie. And since this is 2015, he has two ties.
After giving us the requisite sales pitch, Statler drops the curtain on two covered vehicles. The lumpy one on the left is clearly the Mirai, but the one on the right carries some more mystery. The sheet barely hides the raised wheel arches, brush guard, short bed, and light bar.
This is a pickup, but what of it? Ahh yes, now we remember Marty’s dream truck. Will Toyota reveal the original one from the film? Nope. It’s making a new one. And since the Hilux has not shown its face on our shores in 20 years, this is going to be a Tacoma, Back to the Future style.
In a press release from Toyota, Back 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?”
Call the number on the screen to talk to Jimmy Joe Statler himself. He offers you three choices. Be sure to press 2 for a free license plate frame. He mentions that three customized BTTF Tacomas will be revealed at Hollywood & Highland in Los Angeles and Times Square in NYC. They are also doing a tour of Dallas, so keep your eyes peeled if you live nearby. No word on whether Toyota will release the flying cars seen in the window’s reflection at 00:19 in the video.
We don’t know if the custom Tacoma will be produced for sale, but it should be easy enough for you to make one yourself. Just make sure you include those sweet KC lights.
