Metal Earth: DeLorean
A commercial disaster of a car that became immortal by being cast in a film.
The DMC-12 was underpowered, badly built and made in Northern Ireland by a company that collapsed within two years. About nine thousand were produced. Then a film crew needed something that could plausibly be mistaken for a spacecraft by a 1955 farmer, and the brushed stainless steel body and gullwing doors did the rest. It is now one of the most recognisable cars ever made, on the strength of about two hours of screen time.
The one Metal Earth subject where the bare steel finish is not a compromise but the correct colour, because the real car was unpainted stainless. Laser-cut sheets, tab-and-slot assembly, no glue or paint. The doors, the louvred rear deck and the wheels are where the time goes. Tweezers recommended.
Perfect for: Anyone who has worked out how fast 88 miles an hour is in kilometres and been slightly disappointed.
Laser-cut steel | No glue required | Age 14+