Buried car makes CNN

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

One hundred dollars compounded once annually at five percent for five years is $1,146.74

What cost $100 in 1957 would cost $711.23 in 2007.

I am sure the money was placed in a standard bank or thrift institution "passbook" account, and rates on this type of basic savings have varied from less that 1% to 5% over the past 50 years.  If the fund was worth more than $500 today, I would be very, very surprised.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

edit: just saw the World article. It appears to be a Belvedere which is the lower trim level. The "V" mark on the fender indicates the 318v-8 which was pretty standard. They also indicated it was wrapped in plastic. That could be good news. I've seen a lot of cars exposed to the elements for this long that were still yielding parts. My bet is this one is a keeper.

Yes it is a Belvedere, gold & white, probably with few options since it was donated by Chrysler.  Chrysler should be involved in the big dig, perhaps defraying some of the cost.  Would be great publicity if the car is still in decent shape.

From what I know, the Plymouth Belvedere was wrapped in Cosmoline.  My dictionary says Cosmoline was a trademarked name for a heavy petroleum based plastic, used as a protective coating for firearms, metals, etc.  I don't know how or how well it was applied, but we can only hope.  The car was also raised on metal jacks so the tires were off the floor of the vault.  Cross your fingers!

[RecycleMichael]

quote:
I am sure the money was placed in a standard bank or thrift institution "passbook" account, and rates on this type of basic savings have varied from less that 1% to 5% over the past 50 years.  If the fund was worth more than $500 today, I would be very, very surprised.

I agree. But still $500 is more than I have in my wallet right now.

Whatever name they call out as the winner, I am going to yell, "Hey!, That's my uncle!"

[CoffeeBean]

does this . . . event? have a web site?  it should.

[AngieB]

quote:Originally posted by CoffeeBean

does this . . . event? have a web site?  it should.

http://www.buriedcar.com/

[NCTulsan]

quote:Originally posted by Steve

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

Probably ok shape if tha vault was built right.

The comment that keeps getting replayed about the car "being forgotten until Sharon King Davis came along" erks me though. I remembered and I wasn't around in 1957.

That erks me too.  I was born in 1957, always lived in Tulsa, known about the car all my life, and have always anticipated the day when it would be unearthed.  I wouldn't be suprised if Ms. King-Davis knew nothing about it until the centennial planning commenced.

I hope it is in pristine condition, but logic tells me otherwise, with all the traffic on Denver over the years, possible ground shifting, etc.  We shall see; I am sure the Tulsarama planners in 1957 did the best they could.  I read that it was buried with a full tank of gas and supplemental gas/lube products.  That was probably a bad idea, should the gas tank corrode etc.  I am really excited about the exhumation, and whatever the car's condition, Tulsa will surely get mucho national publicity over the event.

1957 Chrysler autos (as well as many other cars of the era) were particularly prone to rust.  If the vault has kept out moisture and the gas tank did not corrode, we may have a real jewel here.  If so, I hope the powers that be make a sincere effort to find the rightful winner of the 1957 contest and award the car to same if at all possible, rather than keep it for the historical society.

I've always known about the car too, and I didn't come along until 1969.  However, if Ms. King-Davis says it was forgotten, then it must be gospel.  What a b*tch ..... I mean, what a civic leader.

[Breadburner]

It's not a 318...The 318 was not designed until the late 60's.....More than likely it's  a 301...But wishful thinking would hope for a 392 Hemi...heh...

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by Breadburner

It's not a 318...The 318 was not designed until the late 60's.....More than likely it's  a 301...But wishful thinking would hope for a 392 Hemi...heh...

I would have bet the farm on the 318 but you're right. According to "Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975" the v-8 for the 1957 Belvedere was the 299.6 ci engine called the "301". However, they did offer the 318 starting in that year as an option on Fury. It became standard powerplant through the 60's-70's.  Couldn't find reference for a Hemi 392 unless that was the awesome 383/330hp offered in 1960. Maybe the hemi at that time was reserved for Chrysler 300's.

Check this out. It weighed in at 3415 lbs and cost $2424. They made 67,268 of them.

[Leah]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

quote:Originally posted by Breadburner

It's not a 318...The 318 was not designed until the late 60's.....More than likely it's  a 301...But wishful thinking would hope for a 392 Hemi...heh...

I would have bet the farm on the 318 but you're right. According to "Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975" the v-8 for the 1957 Belvedere was the 299.6 ci engine called the "301". However, they did offer the 318 starting in that year as an option on Fury. It became standard powerplant through the 60's-70's.  Couldn't find reference for a Hemi 392 unless that was the awesome 383/330hp offered in 1960. Maybe the hemi at that time was reserved for Chrysler 300's.

Check this out. It weighed in at 3415 lbs and cost $2424. They made 67,268 of them.

Boy I wish I could buy a brand new car for $2424 now a days!  This makes me feel old!

[inteller]

Its pretty eerie that the car to be dug up looks just like the Crysilis Highwayman from Fallout 2.

[breitee]

Now that everyone has had a sneak peek and water was found to be inside the vault, any guesses on the overall condition of the car?

Lots of guesses.  You can find them on the following thread.

http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6652