​Meeting Christopher Lloyd: A Moment Frozen in Time

There are moments in life that feel as though time itself pauses — moments so full of meaning that they stay with you forever. For me, one of those moments happened at Fan Expo New Orleans, when I had the immense honour of meeting Christopher Lloyd. It is difficult to put into words just how much that meeting meant to me, but if you are reading this, then you already understand what the Back to the Future films represent to so many of us.

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Like millions around the world, I grew up with those films. They weren’t just movies; they were experiences. They were events. They were something you shared with friends, with family, with people you loved. They sparked imaginations, inspired creativity, and created memories that lasted decades. Christopher Lloyd’s portrayal of Doc Brown wasn’t just a performance — it was a gift. A character so alive, so eccentric, so heartfelt, that he became timeless.

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From the moment Doc Brown appeared on screen, wild-eyed and brimming with energy, he captured something rare: joy without cynicism, genius without arrogance, and madness without menace. Those films brought laughter, excitement, and wonder into my life, and into the lives of my friends and family. They gave us something we could all share, quote, laugh about, and revisit time and time again. In many ways, they shaped my love for the DeLorean Time Machine itself.

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So to finally meet the man behind that character — the man who helped create so much joy — was overwhelming. Nothing a 36 hour round trip flight wouldn't stop me from doing. 

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I brought something incredibly special with me to Fan Expo New Orleans: the passenger knee pad from my DeLorean Time Machine. Not just any part, but a piece that sits right there inside the car, part of the space where Doc Brown and Marty McFly once imagined the impossible. This wasn’t a novelty item or a poster — this was part of the Time Machine itself.

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When Christopher Lloyd signed it, something changed forever.

That knee pad is now a piece of history.

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What struck me immediately was how genuinely warm and kind he was. There was no rush, no disinterest, no sense of obligation. He was a true gentleman — smiling, welcoming, and visibly happy to see me. His smile was infectious, and in that moment, the nerves and emotion I had been carrying simply spilled over. Meeting him was deeply emotional. This was someone who had unknowingly been part of my life for decades, someone whose work had brought happiness to so many people I care about.

And there he was — real, present, and gracious.

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We spoke, we smiled, and he signed the knee pad with care. It wasn’t just an autograph; it felt like a blessing. A quiet acknowledgement of what the Time Machine means to fans, and what it continues to represent all these years later. I walked away feeling lighter, grateful, and genuinely moved.

Now, back here in the UK, I can say something that still feels surreal:

There is a DeLorean Time Machine in the UK with Christopher Lloyd’s signature on it.

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Not many of those exist.

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This isn’t just a signed item kept away in a display case. It’s part of a living, breathing Time Machine — a car that travels the country, appears at events, weddings, birthdays, and celebrations. A car that makes people smile, laugh, and feel like kids again. And now, it carries with it the mark of the man who helped make it legendary.

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Every time someone sits in that passenger seat, they are sitting beside a piece of cinematic history. Every photo taken, every reaction, every moment of excitement is now connected — however subtly — to that meeting in New Orleans. To that smile. To that signature.

For me, this signature represents far more than rarity or value. It represents gratitude. Gratitude for stories that endure. For characters that matter. For joy that spans generations. It represents the power of imagination, and the way a film — and a performance — can echo through a lifetime.

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It also represents something very personal. This Time Machine has always been a labour of love. Built with care, attention, and respect for the original films, it exists because of passion, not convenience. Having Christopher Lloyd’s signature on it feels like a full circle moment — a quiet nod from the source itself.

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To Christopher Lloyd: thank you. Thank you for your kindness, your warmth, and your generosity. Thank you for Doc Brown. Thank you for the laughter, the excitement, and the memories. You brought joy not only to my life, but to my friends, my family, and countless others around the world.

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Some moments are worth travelling through time for.

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This was one of them.

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The next names on my list include:

 

• Michael J. Fox – the legend himself

• Lea Thompson – the heart of the McFly story

• Thomas F. Wilson – the brilliant actor behind Biff, Griff, and Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen

• James Tolkan – Principal Strickland, the man who doesn’t tolerate slackers

• Claudia Wells – the original Jennifer Parker

 

Each signature will become part of the story that travels with my DeLorean. When people hire the time machine for their special event, wedding, comic con, festival, or corporate activation, they won’t just be stepping into a replica—they’ll be stepping into a vehicle filled with film history.

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What This Means for TimeMachineHire.com

 

My business has always been about fun, nostalgia, theatre, and creating moments people never forget. Adding signed memorabilia from the cast only enhances that experience. It gives fans an even more genuine connection to the films they cherish.

 

I like to think of it as creating a travelling museum—a rolling tribute to one of the greatest movies ever made. As I meet more cast members, collect more stories, and gather additional memorabilia, the experience will only grow more immersive. Please check out the video below of home signing it!