Miss Belvedere - 50 Year Time Capsule Plymouth

[The Saint]

Miss Belvedere is a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere that was sealed in an underground vault on the grounds of the Tulsa city courthouse on June 15, 1957, as a 50-year time capsule.

The time capsule was opened in 2007.

The Saint

[Cartman]

Yes I remember that, it was put in a concrete vault, which was, apparently, bomb proof, but wasn't waterproof and it filled up with water. The car was a complete rotten mess when it was craned out. It's been cleaned up a bit since and there is a debate about what to do with it. It has been suggested about getting another late 50s Plymouth and making one good one out of two

[D.C. Burtonshaw]

Oh yes, this tale is legendary. Sadly they didn't have the technology then to correctly preserve the Belvedere for 50 years, but a very interesting story nonetheless.

[Sam Tyler]

I remember watching a news article about this event some years ago and wondering why the organisers of it had messed up so badly. The vault had been dug under the courthouse for the occasion but one of the walls cracked which allowed water to leach in. I wonder if the building contractor is still trading 50 years later too?

It is certainly a far cry from the way some cars are treated these days in temperature and humidity controlled garages and "Carcoons" (a play on the word "cocoon") to keep the dreaded rust and mold at bay.

Sam.

[Albert Riddle]

Great story indeed. 

[Del Boy]

Oh dear that didn't end well did it.  It was a good initial idea poorly executed. Typical councils