If you ask car buyers at Tustin Toyota service what car was featured in Back to the Future, nine times out of ten they will tell you a Delorean. Yes, it is a fair answer since it was after all the iconic time-traveling vehicle in the movie. However, you do get those occasional movie buffs and car enthusiasts who not only remember the time machine car but also the distinctive 1985 Toyota SR5 pickup truck that Marty McFly drove.
Dealers near Tustin auto center tell us that the vehicle was in storage for decades until a fan in California decided to take the four-wheel-drive extended cab and refurbish it to mirror the version in the motion picture. The vehicle was customized with a sleek black exterior, lift kit, roll bar, and KC HiLites auxiliary lights.
Also, Tustin Toyota service tells us that the pickup truck sits on aftermarket 15” wheels, the interior features striped gray cloth on the seats, carpet, and trim with a bonus flux capacitor. When you take a look at the 1985 Toyota SR5’s insides you will find a revamped exhaust and braking system, a 2.4-liter 22RE fuel-injected, four-cylinder engine, and five-speed manual transmission.
This Back to the Future-inspired 1985 Toyota SR5 is now up for sale and includes memorabilia from the film such as a JVC camcorder, Nike MAG-inspired sneakers, and a skateboard.
What Happened To The Toyota Pickup After The Film?
The dealer at Tustin Toyota service is sad to hear that the Toyota pickup trucks that were used on-screen were not treated with the same love and respect as the DeLorean after filming completed. The truck that you see in the first movie was a prize in a giveaway, which was later destroyed in a car wreck. Then the truck used in the second and third movies was stolen and used as a drug-runner across the U.S. and Mexican border. They were shocked and deeply saddened by this news, however, the stolen truck was miraculously recovered by its owner, who later posted it for sale on Craiglist.
Patrick Shea saw the pickup truck for sale, bought it, and began the restoration process. Shea is a big Back to the Future fan, who also owns the only privately owned DeLorean used on screen. He and his father started the lengthy process of restoring the truck to its original on-set appearance. Both decided to restore the four-cylinder engine their way and gave it more vigor than the stock 2.4-liter. Nevertheless, the truck is still in great shape because of its full body-off restoration.
A Closer Look At The Toyota SR-5
Surprisingly, the Toyota SR-5 is really the Hilux. It is one in a series of many pickup trucks by the Japanese carmaker. Also, the Hilux is available in a pickup as well as a cab variant.
Similar to many other Toyotas pickup trucks, the SR-5 is designed for very rugged and rough terrains. However, the SR-5 is a heavy-duty vehicle compared to the Tacoma which is more of a family pickup.
Toyota retired the name in 1976 to just call the vehicle Truck, Pickup Truck, or Compact Truck. One of its options packages got so popular that it also made the movies.
The SR5 or Sport Runabout 5-Speed was what the truck was called. Other models used the option package, too but were still primarily the Hilux until the Toyota Tacoma replaced it in 1995. In 1995, Toyota launched a new pickup model, called the Tacoma, in North America. Ultimately, this resulted in the discontinuation of the Hilux/Pickup. Nowadays, the 4Runner is a full SUV, and the more recent Hilux models are separate in appearance compared to the Tacoma.
The Toyota Pickup In Back To The Future
Marty McFly loved his Toyota SR-5 in the film. He first laid eyes on the Toyota pickup truck at the fictional Statler Toyota.
This specific Toyota Hilux model was an all-black, custom-built 4X4 pickup which was shown as an ad in the film. The Statler Toyota dealership in Hill Valley was selling this pickup, which McFly wanted to have someday.
Ultimately, he did own an SR5, and he was about to set off with Jennifer to take her to the park when Needles and his gang of bullies challenge McFly to a race. McFly made a smart move not to go ahead with the race because if he did his SR5 would have slammed into a Rolls Royce.
Reincarnations Of The Back To The Future Truck
As mentioned above, the Toyota Tacoma eventually replaced the Hilux in the 90s. Also, it went on to be used to remake the iconic pickup in the film in 2016.
This remake version was a modern design with all the retro-inspired accessories of the film version of the truck. Additionally, it was reinforced with an off0road suspension, mud flaps, and a light bar. Additionally, there was the same signature KC HiLites in the front and on the light bar.
It closely resembled the Toyota pickup truck that McFly would have driven if Back To The Future was made at this time. This aggressive-looking Tacoma is definitely a vehicle that fans would want as a daily commuter.
2021 Toyota Tacoma
If you aren’t as lucky as Patrick Shea, who managed to get one of the original trucks from the film; you can still grab the Toyota Tacoma. The Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup truck offered in six trim levels which are SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro. The SR and SR5 come standard with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine producing 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. Optional for those trims, and which is standard on all others, is a 3.5-liter V6 with 278 horsepower and 265-pound feet of torque. A six-speed automatic is common across the lineup, though some trims offer a six-speed manual transmission in combination with the V6.
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma may not take you to the future, but it will take you where you have to go in style, comfort, and while using excellent fuel efficiency.