A Back to the Future DeLorean, virtually untouched, was unearthed in a dusty Wisconsin barn, boasting a mere 977 miles on its odometer. Earlier this year, Michael McElhattan acquired a 1981 DeLorean DMC-12, renowned for its appearance in the iconic film series featuring Michael J. Fox.

McElhattan, from Crystal Lake, Illinois, owns DeLorean Midwest. This shop specializes in services, upgrades, sales, and restorations for the impressive stainless steel car. He recounted how the family of the car’s original owner had reached out to him about a potential purchase. Little did he know the true rarity of the vehicle until he set foot in that barn.

“This thing literally is a time capsule,” McElhattan told The Washington Post. He noted the tires were deflated and the vehicle was covered in mouse droppings. According to McElhattan, the car remains authentic, retaining many original components from the time of sale. He estimated that it has not been driven for at least 15 years. Being left in the barn for nearly two decades benefitted the car. It was protected from the elements, making McElhattan’s planned restoration easier.

According to McElhattan, the previous owner bought the car solely for its looks. Surprisingly, it was rarely driven and instead, the owner would visit the barn just to admire it. Remarkably, the car only had 977 miles on it.

The ‘Back to the Future’ DeLorean Holds a Special Place in Pop Culture

Despite its sleek appearance, the DeLorean had a short stint in the market from 1981 to 1983 due to subpar craftsmanship and an underwhelming driving experience. However, despite its limited production, the vehicle gained widespread recognition when it was featured as the iconic time machine in the beloved Back to the Future films.

Undoubtedly the coolest car in geek culture is Doc Brown’s time machine, the DeLorean from Back to the Future. The car became so iconic, that it’s featured alongside the series hero, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) in all of the posters. Made of stainless steel and equipped with a luminous flux capacitor, this 20-inch metal body is embellished with an assortment of cables and lights. The vehicle has been made into countless toys and collectibles over the decades. It even received the Lego treatment!

Of course, the actual DeLorean was considered something of a disaster when it debuted. However, the Back to the Future films made it a favorite of movie lovers and nerds everywhere. Collectors have actively sought out the vehicle, mainly due to the ongoing popularity of the film series. According to The Post, as of 2015, there were approximately 6,500 DeLoreans still actively cruising the roads, defying the test of time.