What Happened To Bonnie And Clyde's Famous Car?
In 1934, authorities were preparing to capture outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. The young couple was responsible for a series of crimes including robberies and murders, and there was a warrant out for their arrest. The police had a plan, which included Ivan Methvin, the father of one of the couple's accomplices. The authorities knew that Parker and Barrow would, at one point, make their way to the Methvin residence and Methvin was told to wait for the couple on the side of the road on the guise that he needed their assistance, per ATI.
On the early morning hours of May 23, Texas and Louisiana police officers hid in bushes along the Sailes highway in Louisiana and assumed their positions while waiting for the Parker and Barrow to pass by (via FBI). A few hours later, the Ford vehicle the couple was known to be using drove down the highway. The couple saw Methvin's father and pulled over to talk to him. However, even before they exited their vehicle, they were ambushed in a hail of bullets that immediately killed them. Parker and Barrow died at just 23 and 24 years old, respectively.
Clyde Barrow loved Ford vehicles
In their crime spree, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were known to use Ford vehicles. In fact, Barrow even penned a letter to Henry Ford about his love for Ford cars. In the note, he said, "I will tell you what a dandy car you make. I have drove Fords exclusively when I could get away with one. For sustained speed and freedom from trouble the Ford has got ever other car skinned and even if my business hasen't been strickly legal it don't hurt anything to tell you what a fine car you got in the V8" (via Thought Co). At the time of their deaths, Parker and Barrow were in a stolen 1934 Ford Model 730 Deluxe Sedan.
After Parker and Clyde's ambush, there was great interest in the vehicle where they died. Ruth Warren, the original owner of the vehicle, wanted it back in her possession but was told that she had to pay $15,000 to get it. Warren took the matter to court, and she won the case. As reported by Motorious, through the years, the Bonnie and Clyde death car changed ownership and was transported to different locations, such as museums and carnivals. At one point, it was even a feature at a race track where visitors could sit inside for $1. Today, visitors who want to see the Ford vehicle can do so in Nevada.
The infamous bullet-ridden car is on display
Whiskey Pete's Resort and Casino located at Primm Boulevard in Nevada houses Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow's death car (via Nevada). Throughout the years, there have been fake death cars that emerged due to the popularity of Parker and Barrow, but visitors at the casino can view letters of authenticity displayed with the vehicle. The car is a bit rusted, and according to Hot Cars, its interior boasts of a leather finish. Other features of the vehicle include a hot water heater and a custom gray color.
Two dummies that represent Parker and Barrow are posed next to the bullet-ridden, bloodstained Ford. In total, the Ford has 112 bullet holes that were sustained from the day of the ambush where it was reported that approximately 130 shots were fired. Apart from the car, the shirt that Barrow wore when he was killed is also on display, and it's evident how he couldn't have survived the ambush.