A time-capsule car hidden away for 38 years has been discovered - Here’s the story behind it

An aeronautical engineer with the Royal Air Force bought a brand-new car in the 1980s, drove it for just five years, then parked it in a barn, where it sat untouched for nearly four decades.

The engineer died in 2024. Now his daughter wants to see the car brought back to life and returned to the road.

What makes the story even more remarkable is the man’s résumé. He was part of the team that developed and built Thrust 2, the jet-powered machine that set the world land speed record in 1983. Despite working on the fastest car on the planet, the vehicle he ultimately mothballed was far more modest: a 1983 Citroën BX 16RS.

A gift that never happened

The engineer had planned to give the car to one of his daughters once she passed her driving test. That day never came.

His daughter still remembers riding in the back seat before seat belt use was common for kids. She also recalls feeling carsick, thanks to the BX’s unusual hydropneumatic suspension system, which gave the car its famously floaty ride. Some drivers loved it. Others, especially younger passengers, were less enthusiastic.

A car ahead of its time

Automotive presenter Jonny Smith of The Late Brake Show traveled to Lincolnshire, England, to see the long-forgotten car and attempt to get it running again.

The BX was one of the first major models launched by Citroën under the PSA Group banner and went on to become one of the brand’s best-selling cars of its era. With its angular design and advanced suspension, it felt futuristic compared to many early 1980s hatchbacks on American roads at the time.

Decades in a barn, however, have taken their toll.

The car shows visible rust, moisture damage and clear signs that mice once used it for shelter. One wheel is missing. Despite repeated attempts, the engine refused to turn over.

Still, the engineer’s daughter remains hopeful. She believes there is an enthusiast out there willing to buy the car, restore it to its original condition and finally give it the second life her father once imagined.

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