Well I just got back from Tulsa, and had a blast. First of all, more
Forward Look Chrysler products than you're ever likely to see on the road
in a lifetime, at least a lifetime these days.
As for the buried Belvedere, I took lots of pictures, and thanks to some
really cool Tulsa PD and Sheriff's Deputies, was able to get up close and
personal with her last night (no, I did not touch the car, but I could
have).
Anyway, to sum up the condition:
Leaf springs fell apart (some pieces still left in the vault)
One gas tank strap broke at the bolt
Front tires still hold air (but I think they were flat when it came out)
The hood and trunk had to be pried open (the gaps on the trunk lid are
worse for it)
The hood will not hold itself open, save for a foot or two
The trunk lid is weak, it can be seen to flex during the unveiling
There is a hole in the taillight panel left of the right hand tail light,
possibly put there when they were working on the trunk lid.
They never got the doors open, mostly because Boyd Coddington's crew don't
know squat about mopars, but they did try to force it open with a wedge.
There's a dime sized hole in the driver's door skin.
The "Y", "M", and "O" letters fell off the hood.
The condition of the remaining pot metal is hard to tell, but its there.
All the stainless trim is perfect (duh)
All the anodized aluminum trim is fine (grille, headlight bezels, hood
lip)
The front bumper has been cleaned in one spot, where the chrome is
PERFECT. The rest of the bumpers are still covered with the protective
paper (now goop), so there's hope for more beautiful chrome there.
Engine was found to be full of water.
Battery was still connected.
Interior is trashed, some seat foat remains up front.
A LOT of rust bubbling up in the sheet metal. The body is swiss cheese.
The car still needs to be cleaned so we can tell what's rust and what was
mud.
I'd say its restorable but shouldn't be restored.
All glass is good, except for the vent windows (which they broke in order
to roll down the door windows and get inside the car). I was lucky enough
to get a piece of the shattered glass from Dave Stragand.
Ball point pen signatures on the white walls survived.
All contents of the time capsule (sealed cannister in vault with car)
survived perfectly intact, including the contest entries.
Best quote of the night:
Announcer: "So Boyd, have you ever restored a car like this before?"
Boyd Coddington: "Nope."
Audience (we were thinking it) "Then why are you here?"
Dave Casey
----- Original Message -----
From: "jim" <jimfmd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 12:00 AM
Subject: Re: Buried Plymouth
Above ground would have been the way to go, but having said that, I am
sure the Tulsa people would have done the best they could back in those
days.
Jim
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Futrell" <gary.futrell@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 12:49 PM
Subject: Re: Buried Plymouth
It was great seeing those fins cars drive around. I'm sure it was a
boost to Tulsa and can't imagine what everyone would be feeling , if
the Buried Belvedere had been in excellent condition. I would have
loved to convince those guys in 57 to put it in an enclosed above
ground vault. Regardless it was a great show and I enjoyed it all.
Gary F.
On 6/16/07, jim <jimfmd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Thanks Gary for the great pictures.
This would have to have given the economy of Tulsa a boost.
What was the feeling in Tulsa?
I would think it was alive with all those great cars and car clubs
there.
Pity it was at the expence of that fantastic Buried car.
Thanks
Jim
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Futrell" <gary.futrell@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 12:24 PM
Subject: Re: Buried Plymouth
> Although being disappointed in how the Buried
> Belvedere turned out, it was a great show today with a
> lot of beautiful Mopars out there at the Tulsarama
> show. Anybody that didn't get to go, missed a great show and
> an excellent opportunity to see a fine collection of
> classic cars. Here's my pics from the show.
>
>
>
> http://new.photos.yahoo.com/gary-futrell@xxxxxxxxxxxxx/album/576460762404523617
>
>
>
> Gary F.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 6/15/07, Robert <r.lane@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>> Just been watching some of it here http://www.kotv.com/ though I
>> missed
>> the unveiling.
>>
>> It would have survived better if it had gone down with the Titanic
>> :(
>>
>> Robert
>> 63 Polara 500
>> England
>>
>
>
> --
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> Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database:
> 269.9.0/851 - Release Date: 16/06/2007 12:50 PM
>
>
----
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'62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines:
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----
Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person --
directly to that person. I.e., send parts/car transactions and
negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended
recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will
protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the
content signal to Mopar topic. Thanks!
'62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines:
----
Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person --
directly to that person. I.e., send parts/car transactions and
negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended
recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect
your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content
signal to Mopar topic. Thanks!
'62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines:
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