Mike Lane is a name best known for creating high-quality upgrades and modifications to a selection of iconic partwork scale models. These include the 1:8 Back to the Future DeLorean Time Machine, Ghostbusters Ecto-1, Knight Rider’s KITT and lots more – and the list is growing. You can see the current range here.
Most days, Mike can be found working alongside his trusty team in the workshop, nestled away in the South West of England, testing contraptions and fine-tuning gadgets – a bit like a modern-day Doc Brown, some might say! It’s the models and the mods themselves that are the most interesting things here, of course. But in case you’re curious, here’s a little background about how Mike Lane came to be.
About Mike Lane
Mike Lane is a name best known for creating high-quality upgrades and modifications to a selection of iconic partwork scale models. These include the 1:8 Back to the Future DeLorean Time Machine, Ghostbusters Ecto-1, Knight Rider’s KITT and lots more – and the list is growing. You can see the current range here.
Most days, Mike can be found working alongside his trusty team in the workshop, nestled away in the South West of England, testing contraptions and fine-tuning gadgets – a bit like a modern-day Doc Brown, some might say! It’s the models and the mods themselves that are the most interesting things here, of course. But in case you’re curious, here’s a little background about how Mike Lane came to be.
Mike’s story
Living in the UK, Mike spent most of his working life in the creative industry as a graphic designer, immersed in a fast-paced digital world. But in his spare time, Mike yearned for something more hands-on, and had a passion for model-building, particularly partworks. It’s this side interest, combined with his design background, which led him into the world of creating mods for models.
Mike’s first build-up project was the Eaglemoss Build the DeLorean model. As a child of the 1980s, the Back to the Future films captured his imagination in a big way – so, like many others, he subscribed to the model and began building it up month by month.
Mike’s story
Living in the UK, Mike spent most of his working life in the creative industry as a graphic designer, immersed in a fast-paced digital world. But in his spare time, Mike yearned for something more hands-on, and had a passion for model-building, particularly partworks. It’s this side interest, combined with his design background, which led him into the world of creating mods for models.
Mike’s first build-up project was the Eaglemoss Build the DeLorean model. As a child of the 1980s, the Back to the Future films captured his imagination in a big way – so, like many others, he subscribed to the model and began building it up month by month.
How time flies
Here is the advert for the Build the DeLorean Time Machine, first aired back in December 2016. This now has a special place in history for Mike, as although he didn’t know it at the time, this advert was to become the start of his adventure.
Making models supermodels
The model was certainly impressive and remains one of the best replica scale DeLorean Time Machine models on the market.
However, it wasn’t without its flaws and there were details Mike knew he could improve on. So he began modifying his own DeLorean model, fixing inaccuracies and making general improvements. The aim was to resemble the real thing as closely as possible.
Mike shared the results of these personal mods with fellow enthusiasts and began receiving requests to recreate them. Flattered by the response, demand grew and soon he found himself making more mods, more advanced upgrades, plus enhancements for other models. After doing this for a year in his spare time whilst juggling a full-time job, Mike decided to take the plunge and focus on mod-making full-time, with the business being officially formed in 2018.
Making models supermodels
The model was certainly impressive and remains one of the best replica scale DeLorean Time Machine models on the market.
However, it wasn’t without its flaws and there were details Mike knew he could improve on. So he began modifying his own DeLorean model, fixing inaccuracies and making general improvements. The aim was to resemble the real thing as closely as possible.
Mike shared the results of these personal mods with fellow enthusiasts and began receiving requests to recreate them. Flattered by the response, demand grew and soon he found himself making more mods, more advanced upgrades, plus enhancements for other models. After doing this for a year in his spare time whilst juggling a full-time job, Mike decided to take the plunge and focus on mod-making full-time, with the business being officially formed in 2018.
The workshop, nestled away in the South West of England
The workshop, nestled away in the South West of England
Scaling up
As the business naturally evolved, Mike created more products for more models, both partworks and pre-built replicas such as those created by Hot Toys. By early 2022, he had outgrown his home workshop.
It was time for Mike to set up a new space where he could design and develop new mods, accommodate equipment and stock, and assemble a close-knit team. Moving workshops and bringing in new people to help was a big undertaking, but it transformed the scope of the products and service that were possible. In short, things could be made bigger, better and faster.
As well as allowing orders to be processed more quickly and efficiently than before, even more excitingly, the extra space has meant being able to tackle more of the models Mike was eager to get his hands on. With every partwork project he creates mods for, Mike immerses himself in the process of building the model himself, his detail-obsessed brain suggesting countless features to tweak and improve on along the way.
The new workshop also meant being able to take on some of the larger scale models and mods that previously hadn’t previously been possible.
Whilst having more space and more room to breathe very much helps to balance the ‘Mike-feng-shui’, moving has primarily been about allowing Mike and his team to provide the very best service they can.
Scaling up
As the business naturally evolved, Mike created more products for more models, both partworks and pre-built replicas such as those created by Hot Toys. By early 2022, he had outgrown his home workshop. It was time for Mike to set up a new space where he could design and develop new mods, accommodate equipment and stock, and assemble a close-knit team. Moving workshops and bringing in new people to help was a big undertaking, but it transformed the scope of the products and service that were possible. In short, things could be made bigger, better and faster.
As well as allowing orders to be processed more quickly and efficiently than before, even more excitingly, the extra space has meant being able to tackle more of the models Mike was eager to get his hands on. With every partwork project he creates mods for, Mike immerses himself in the process of building the model himself, his detail-obsessed brain suggesting countless features to tweak and improve on along the way.
The new workshop also meant being able to take on some of the larger scale models and mods that previously hadn’t previously been possible.
Whilst having more space and more room to breathe very much helps to balance the ‘Mike-feng-shui’, moving has primarily been about allowing Mike and his team to provide the very best service they can.
And the rest is history
Today, the mods and other products made by Mike Lane and his team are shipped all over the world and they are always looking forward to what’s next. While the product range has grown and continues to grow, the team are proud that it’s still very much a personal service. And Mike continues to personally design and handcraft every piece – he’s as enthusiastic about model building as when he first began.
This is just a snippet of the Mike Lane journey. There’s also the tonne of support the business receives from the modelling community. And of course, the personal support Mike himself got from the start of the venture from his friends, family and children. It was a difficult decision for Mike to leave his career to focus on model modding full-time (and included many nights fuelled by Red Bull) but one he’s never regretted. It has been, and continues to be, an incredible adventure for Mike and his team.
And the rest is history
Today, the mods and other products made by Mike Lane and his team are shipped all over the world and they are always looking forward to what’s next. While the product range has grown and continues to grow, the team are proud that it’s still very much a personal service. And Mike continues to personally design and handcraft every piece – he’s as enthusiastic about model building as when he first began.
This is just a snippet of the Mike Lane journey. There’s also the tonne of support the business receives from the modelling community. And of course, the personal support Mike himself got from the start of the venture from his friends, family and children. It was a difficult decision for Mike to leave his career to focus on model modding full-time (and included many nights fuelled by Red Bull) but one he’s never regretted. It has been, and continues to be, an incredible adventure for Mike and his team.
A big thank you
We love seeing our customers share their excitement in installing mods and accessories from Mike Lane – and the satisfaction they get from the results. Occasionally we’re treated to a video review from the YouTube modelling community, which we always appreciate and love watching. It’s great to see what fellow enthusiasts make of a new addition to their model and to share the experience with them.
We’re so grateful to everyone who has taken the time and energy to leave us a review and even demonstrate our mods with the wider world. If you’re interested in watching or reading some of these reviews, you can find them on our reviews page here.
You can also find our TrustPilot page here. We’re very proud to have earned ‘Best in Category‘ and the much acclaimed TrustPilot ‘Excellent‘ rating.
A big thank you
We love seeing our customers share their excitement in installing mods and accessories from Mike Lane – and the satisfaction they get from the results. Occasionally we’re treated to a video review from the YouTube modelling community, which we always appreciate and love watching. It’s great to see what fellow enthusiasts make of a new addition to their model and to share the experience with them.
We’re so grateful to everyone who has taken the time and energy to leave us a review and even demonstrate our mods with the wider world. If you’re interested in watching or reading some of these reviews, you can find them on our reviews page here.
You can also find our TrustPilot page here. We’re very proud to have earned ‘Best in Category‘ and the much acclaimed TrustPilot ‘Excellent‘ rating.
For now, happy modding!
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who continues to support us through this exciting venture. It’s truly a privilege to share the love with other enthusiasts all over the world. Your feedback and support keep these mods coming, so thank you for making it possible.
For now, happy modding!
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who continues to support us through this exciting venture. It’s truly a privilege to share the love with other enthusiasts all over the world. Your feedback and support keep these mods coming, so thank you for making it possible.
