Doc's DeLorean

I shot a personal project last week. One I've waited 30 years for—sort of.

On Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015, I photographed Dr. Jeff Gladding—a local anesthesiologist—and his 1981 DeLorean DMC-12, the iconic gull-wing car better known as the time machine from Robert Zemeckis' Back to The Future (BTTF) trilogy. Movie nerds (and people with an internet connection) know Oct. 21, 2015 is the future date that Doc and Marty travel to in Part II. Gladding's DeLorean was refurbished by Bob's Prop Shop in Dallas, Texas and is a practically perfect, screen-accurate replica of Emmett Brown's plutonium time machine.

Gladding prepares for a procedure at Quail Surgical Center in Reno, Nev. He is wearing Nike's DMC-12 inspired DeLorean Dunk. 

Quail Surgical radiographer Julie Nosky, left, and registered nurse Jill Ripple look at the inside of the time machine between procedures. Wherever Gladding goes, the DeLorean draws a crowd.

The original DeLorean Motor Company (DMC) was an American automobile manufacturer founded John DeLorean in 1975. The DMC-12 was manufactured from 1981-1983. It featured a fiberglass chassis, gull-wing doors, a brushed stainless steel body, and rear engine. The “12” in DMC-12 refers to the intended original $12,000 price. During initial production the suggested retail price was raised to $25,000.

Gladding poses for a picture with Reno Gazette-Journal reporter Marcella Corona.

Dr. Mike Taylor steps outside to photograph the time machine in the Quail Surgical parking lot.

Courtesy of the Hill Valley Preservation Society.

"100 to 1 shot I tell ya. I wish I could back to the beginning of the season, and bet some money on the Cubbies."

A group of Meadowood Mall security guards check out the time machine.

In full McFly, Gladding arrives to the night's first BTTF themed party.

One of the many screen accurate details inside Gladding's DeLorean.

A couple poses for a photo with the time machine.

Some of Gladding's personal (although not screen accurate touches) include his Nevada "FLUX" license plate and an era-appropriate "Reagan-Bush '84" bumper sticker.

Gladding, dressed as Marty and Bill Steinman, dressed as Doc pose for pictures recreating the movie poster pose.

BTTF Part II plays on a movie screen during the party.

Gladding photographs a woman dress as a Libyan terrorist (complete with blue Volkswagen) at a second BTTF party.

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