1981 DeLorean discovered in Wisconsin.Photo:DeLorean Nation
DeLorean Nation
A recent discovery has movie fans exclaiming “Great Scott!”
When Mike McElhattan, owner of the restoration shopDeLorean Midwest, which specializes in repairs and sales of the classic car, received a call earlier this month about a DeLorean for sale, he wasn’t interested, that is until he found out the car only had 977 miles on it.
1981 DeLorean discovered in Wisconsin.DeLorean Nation
“It’s an absolute time capsule,” McElhattan said toUSA Today. “To me, what’s cool about it, is it’s completely original down to the original tires that rolled out of the factory in Belfast, Ireland.”
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The car, which had roughly two decades of dust and dirt coating it (along with live mice running around inside), required some love and care. “It’s very rewarding to take a filthy car like this and really transform it,” McElhattan said. “People just want to see it brought back to its full glory.”
New models of DeLoreans were made between 1981 and 1983, when the company went into bankruptcy afterJohn DeLorean, the founder, was arrested on drug trafficking charges. The company also struggled with manufacturing issues, and only about 9000 DeLoreans were built before the Belfast, North Ireland factory closed, perCNN.
McElhattan added that he is confident that he can bring the car “back to life.” He also told the outlet he will try to keep the DeLorean as “original as possible." But mostly he just enjoys what this car represents.
“That’s what old cars are about for everyone, they bring you back to a certain time,” McElhattansaid to NBC Chicago. “It’s so much about connecting with your past."
source: people.com
