Alien: the iconic spaceship from the sci-fi classic spent 20 years in a fan’s backyard!

The 1979 film Alien, directed by Ridley Scott, remains one of the defining moments in horror and science fiction cinema. While the film is iconic for its xenomorph, the terrifying extraterrestrial monster designed by H.R. Giger, it’s also remembered for its chilling, claustrophobic setting: the spaceship Nostromo. With its winding corridors and eerie atmosphere, the Nostromo itself became an iconic character of the film, as integral to the story as any of the human crew members.

But did you know that after the film wrapped, the actual model of the Nostromo—the one that had terrified audiences—spent two whole decades in a fan’s backyard? Here’s the fascinating tale of how this priceless piece of cinematic history was left to the elements before finding its way to preservation.

The Nostromo: An Icon of Sci-Fi Cinema

Before CGI dominated the film industry, large-scale models were the backbone of sci-fi movies. Alien was no exception. The Nostromo, created by designers Ron Cobb and Chris Foss, was a stunningly detailed model that stood out not only for its menacing design but also for the deep sense of foreboding it evoked. It became as much a part of the Alien universe as the xenomorph itself, cementing its place alongside other legendary spaceships like the Millennium Falcon and the USS Enterprise.

When it came time to wrap the film, the Nostromo’s model, which had been used for exterior shots, was left behind. What happened to it? Surprisingly, it ended up in the hands of one passionate fan, who didn’t just admire it—he gave it a home.

The Nostromo Finds a Home… in a Backyard

Enter Bob Burns, a Los Angeles resident, former film producer, and, above all, a huge sci-fi and horror fan. Burns was a collector, and he loved acquiring film memorabilia. In 1979, as Alien was taking the world by storm, Burns had an idea: what if he could create an Alien-themed Halloween show? He reached out to 20th Century Fox to get permission, and to his delight, they not only agreed but also sent him a treasure trove of authentic props and set pieces from the film.

The Alien exhibit became an annual tradition at Burns’ home, drawing crowds of excited fans and curious neighbors. But one key prop was too large for his basement: the Nostromo model. In a remarkable turn of events, 20th Century Fox decided to donate the ship to Burns, thinking it would find a good home in his private collection. The Nostromo was delivered to Burns’ property by a crane and was placed in his driveway, where it would remain for the next 20 years.

A Ship Left to the Elements

For all its grandeur, Burns’ driveway was hardly an ideal place for a cinematic treasure. While Burns did his best to protect the ship with tarps and other makeshift covers, the elements began to take their toll. Weathering, exposure to the sun, and time slowly began to erode the Nostromo’s once-pristine condition. Over the years, the model deteriorated further, but it still had an undeniable charm for passersby, who often stopped to marvel at the sight of the legendary spaceship.

Though the Nostromo was no longer the centerpiece of a major film production, it had become a beloved oddity in the neighborhood, a nod to cinema history that lived on, albeit in less-than-ideal circumstances. But eventually, Burns feared that the model might end up in ruins if no action was taken.

The Rescue Mission: A New Hope for the Nostromo

As the model deteriorated, Burns reached out to two prominent figures in the Hollywood special effects industry—Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger—for help. These experts were well-versed in restoring film props, and they were eager to rescue the ship from its fate in Burns’ driveway. In the late 1990s, they took the Nostromo and stored it in a proper storage container, where it could dry out and be shielded from further damage.

The ship remained in storage for nearly eight years, recovering its shape and structure, though still bearing the scars of its years outdoors. It wasn’t until 2007 that the Prop Store, a company specializing in rare film memorabilia, took possession of the ship. Under the careful hands of professionals, the Nostromo underwent a meticulous restoration that would bring it back to its former glory.

A New Lease on Life: The Nostromo Restored and Auctioned

After years of painstaking restoration, the Nostromo was ready to shine once more. The transformation was remarkable—gone were the signs of neglect, replaced by the gleaming model that had once captured the imagination of moviegoers. In July 2020, the Prop Store auctioned off the fully restored Nostromo, and it was sold for a staggering €430,000 (about $500,000) to an anonymous collector.

Now, the ship has found a new home—perhaps in a private collection, where it will be admired and preserved for generations to come. The model, which once sat in a suburban driveway, is now a priceless piece of film history, cherished for the iconic role it played in one of the most influential films in sci-fi and horror.

While we may never know if the new owner has taken the ship on any intergalactic voyages, one thing is certain: the Nostromo will continue to haunt the minds of fans, as its legacy endures, both in Alien and in the hearts of those who remember its time in the backyard.