Just in time for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a man unveils his brother’s work-in-progress time machine tribute to the franchise, complete with working R2 unit.
It’s only fitting that, with the Star Wars: The Force Awakens debut this week, we get word of a Star Wars tribute in the form of a DeLorean. A bit ironic that Back to the Future meets “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away,” but let’s go with it and take a closer look at EOD-88.
Author and screenwriter Ernest Cline has owned two DeLoreans, and he relates the tale of needing to get rid of one. The extra was originally a prize, then he bought it back, loaned it to Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin, and then decided to give it to his brother. His brother Eric then decided to turn it into a Star Wars machine, given how important the franchise had been to the brothers when they were younger.
The rest is essentially a labor of love.
“The DeLorean’s design is strangely perfect for this, because the engine is in the back of the car, and the flat engine cover over it is the perfect size for an astromech droid’s dome,” Cline said. “And the DeLorean’s gull-wing doors distinctly resemble an X-Wing fighter. The car’s whole retro-futuristic design and stainless steel finish make it look like a spaceship right out of the original Star Wars trilogy.”
His brother tore the car apart and cleaned all the parts then rebuilt it. They solicited parts for the R2 unit from fans and through his connections in the community, Cline said he was eventually able to get enough for a working R2 all-metal unit.
He said his brother “tore out the interior and installed all new R2-blue carpeting, then painted all of the car’s black trim the same color. He also replaced all of the engine’s hoses and tubing with blue replacements, so that the engine itself would match R2. He also has plans to modify his steering wheel and cockpit to resemble that of a TIE-Fighter. EOD-88 also has a Flux Capacitor, Time Circuits, etc. – which he’s planning to reinstall once he’s finished with the rest of the interior mods.”
Check out the videos and the gallery to get a look at the almost finished product. It may not be done in time for the broad release of the film, but it’s a pretty nice tribute nonetheless. Would love to have the money for that type of project.
Source: Ernest Cline blog
