Friday, June 15, 2007

Suddenly it is 2007


To celebrate Oklahoma's 50 years of statehood in 1957, the city of Tulsa buried a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere 2 door hardtop, the epitome of then current auto style, in a sealed time capsule. Today, after 50 years under the sidewalk in front of the Court House and in celebration of 100 years of statehood, the car will see the light of day again.

But workers found the car sitting in water,looking much like chocolate milk, filling the concrete vault that was billed strong enough to withstand a nuclear attack. The car was wrapped in bags and rust protectors but as I write it was not clear in what shape the car is in. Buried with the car was 10 gallons of gas and some oil, in case there was none left in 2007. Also symbolizing 1957: a case of beer, and the contents of a woman's handbag: 14 bobby pins, a bottle of tranquilizers, a lipstick, a pack of gum, tissues, a pack of cigarettes, matches and $2.43.

People back then could enter the contest to guess the actual population of Tulsa in 2007, the winner gets the car...if they want it.

The 1957 Plymouth was a styling sensation, the sleek lines, the slim top, the soaring fins were not seen before on a "low priced three" car. The ads read "Suddenly it is 1960" that was how long the Ford and GM would have to take to catch up. Plymouth was the talk of Detroit, an inspiration to stylists for years. Who would have thought that in 50 years, Plymouth would be gone from the ranks of automakers?

But suddenly it is 2007... want to guess if it is a rusted hulk or in decent shape??? Stay tuned.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Funniest story I've read in a long time! Holy crap, of all things, cars age slowly, and very slowly if taken care of. But of all things, why would you bury a CAR?!