A DeLorean DMC-12 was recently unearthed in a barn located in Southern Wisconsin. Now in new hands, the iconic vehicle is poised for a revival.
The car was located by Michael McElhattan, owner of the restoration company DeLorean Midwest. Hidden at the rear of the barn and blanketed in a substantial layer of dust, the vehicle had been stationary for more than 20 years. The odometer displayed a scant 977 miles (1,572 km), an astoundingly low figure given that the car was manufactured in 1981.
Time had taken its toll on the car: It had begun to sink into the barn's earthen floor. Yet, despite its long period of neglect, the gullwing door struts were still in working condition. However, a colony of mice had taken up residence, filling the interior with a strong odor and droppings. This was further confirmed by a YouTube video showcasing several mice scampering inside the vehicle.
Upon inspection, a slight layer of surface rust was evident on the control arms and some of the bolts near the oil sump showed signs of rust. On the upside, the vehicle's frame was in solid shape, with no evidence of exposure to salted roads. The Vehicle Identification Number indicated that this DeLorean is build number #1072, making it an early production model.
The recovery team successfully extracted the car using a pickup truck, exposing it to the outside world for the first time in over two decades. Remarkably, considering its long period of inactivity, the car is in relatively good shape—so much so that even the headliner hasn't sagged.
Source: Carscoops