Matt Riese’s DeLorean Hovercraft, a unique homage to the iconic vehicle from “Back to the Future,” has garnered significant attention since its inception. Riese, a San Francisco artist and engineer, spent over a decade perfecting this custom-designed craft, which is not made from an actual DeLorean car but instead features a hull constructed from sculpted Styrofoam, fiberglass, and metallic paint. The hovercraft is powered by two fans: a 24-inch lift fan driven by a 6-horsepower engine and a 36-inch thrust fan powered by a 23-horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine, allowing it to reach a top speed of 31 mph[1][2][4].
Riese initially funded the project through a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising approximately $6,000. His goal was to create a functional work of art that could hover about 6-8 inches above various surfaces, including water, land, and ice[3][6]. Over the years, he took the hovercraft to numerous locations around the Bay Area, including McCovey Cove during San Francisco Giants games, where it became a local spectacle[2][4].
As of late 2019, Riese decided to sell the hovercraft to pursue other projects and alleviate financial burdens, including student loans. The hovercraft was listed for auction, and despite generating considerable media interest, it struggled to find a buyer initially. It was featured on platforms like eBay and even appeared on “Jay Leno’s Garage”[2][4]. The hovercraft was eventually sold for $44,088, and Riese expressed a desire to move on to new creative endeavors, including plans for a “flying Batmobile” inspired by the 1989 film design[2][5].
Riese’s journey with the DeLorean Hovercraft has not only been a personal passion project but also a significant part of his identity, allowing him to connect with others and share his creativity. He continues to explore new ideas and projects, reflecting on the importance of pursuing one’s passions and the joy of creating something unique[6][7].
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[1] https://www.deloreanhovercraft.com
[2] https://www.hagerty.com/media/archived/delorean-hovercraft-bat-sale/
[3] https://www.designboom.com/technology/hand-built-delorean-hovercraft-back-to-the-future-11-16-2018/
[4] https://www.sfchronicle.com/travel/article/The-last-ride-of-San-Francisco-s-DeLorean-14432884.php
[5] https://www.mattriese.com
[6] https://www.deloreanhovercraft.com/about-matt-riese
[7] https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/361244777/delorean-hovercraft