Tom and Corrinna “Cory” Sedor’s story could have come straight out of a movie, one that starts at a roller rink and somehow winds up with a time machine.
The couple first met as teenagers in 1985 at a suburban rink, long before they built a life together in Orland Park. Early in their relationship, they went to see “Back to the Future,” not knowing the film would leave a lasting mark on both of them.
“One of the first movies we saw as a couple was ‘Back to the Future,’” Tom Sedor said. “That’s really where all of this started.”
That experience sparked more than a shared love of the film. It also inspired Sedor’s fascination with the DeLorean DMC-12, a car he said he “had to have” after seeing it on screen.
“My wife Cory and I first saw ‘Back to the Future’ as teenagers,” he said. “I had to have the beautiful gullwing DeLorean.”
He eventually got his chance. In 1992, Sedor purchased a DeLorean from a private owner in Rockford, beginning what would become a decades-long passion.
What stayed with him was not just the story, but the car itself, with its brushed stainless-steel body and doors that swung open like wings. It looked futuristic, bold and unlike anything else on the road.
In reality, the car’s story was far less glamorous. When it debuted in 1981, it generated plenty of buzz for its design, but the excitement faded quickly. Drivers found it underpowered and awkward to handle, and sales never caught on. Within two years, production ended.
Then came Hollywood.
On screen, the DeLorean became something else entirely, a time machine dreamed up by the eccentric Doc Brown and brought to life alongside Marty McFly. With flashing lights, tangled wires and the now-famous “flux capacitor,” the car became one of the most recognizable movie props of all time.
Decades later, that moment still resonates, especially with the Sedors.
They bought their first DeLorean in 1992, drawn by the same fascination they felt years earlier in a movie theater. What began as a hobby slowly grew into something bigger. In 2015, Tom Sedor decided to take it a step further, transforming the car into a detailed Time Machine replica and offering it for rent at events.
“My whole reason was tied to that moment in ‘Back to the Future Part II,’ where the Cubs were supposed to win the World Series in 2015,” he said. “The movie was only one year off, since the Cubs won in 2016.”
The replica closely mirrors the film version, complete with signature features that fans instantly recognize. The vehicle includes a flux capacitor, Mr. Fusion, flux bands and plutonium gauges, many of them signed by Michael J. Fox, Bob Gale and Christopher Lloyd.
The idea took off.
Today, the Sedors operate Delorean USA Rental, LLC, offering both a standard DeLorean DMC-12 and the Time Machine replica for a wide range of events, including weddings, corporate gatherings, photo and video shoots, birthday parties and fundraisers.
“It’s fun to see people’s reactions,” Sedor said. “A lot of them grew up with the movie, just like we did. It brings them right back.”
The business has expanded over the years, with additional vehicles inspired by film and television and connections to other DeLorean owners across the country. No matter the event or location, the goal remains the same, delivering a memorable experience built around a car that never really faded away.
Rental rates vary depending on the details, though the Time Machine replica typically starts at $275 per hour. Even shorter appearances often turn into larger bookings once travel and setup are factored in.
Maintaining the cars is no small commitment. DeLoreans have become valuable collector’s items, with some worth well into six figures depending on their condition. Their ties to “Back to the Future” have only strengthened that appeal over time.
Even Michael J. Fox, who helped cement the car’s place in pop culture, has acknowledged its complicated legacy. In his memoir “Future Boy,” he described the film as magical while also joking about the car’s quirks and the physical toll of driving it on set.
Sedor sees it differently.
“The DMC-12 gets a bad rap,” he said. “It’s actually really comfortable. The driver’s seat is wide. It almost feels like you’re sitting in a recliner.”
He said the features that make the car stand out visually remain his favorite part.
“The gullwing doors and how they open add a futuristic element to a stainless steel body with bold edges that are timeless,” he said.
He believes the movie version of the car may have shaped some of those negative impressions, noting that the added props and tight spaces made it harder to handle.
Those interested in booking the vehicle can contact the Sedors through their business, Delorean USA Rental, LLC, by visiting www.deloreanusarental.com or www.deloreanride.com.
Regardless of where opinions land on its performance, the DeLorean’s place in history is secure. It is a thread that runs through decades of their lives, from a teenage date to a shared passion that still draws crowds today.
“It’s kind of amazing when you think about it,” Sedor said. “All of this started with a movie.”