35 Facts About Bonnie And Clyde Car

Bonnie and Clyde's Infamous Getaway Car

Bonnie and Clyde, the notorious outlaws of the Great Depression era, are forever linked to their iconic getaway car. This 1934 Ford Model 40B Fordor Deluxe sedan played a pivotal role in their crime spree and ultimate demise. Here are 35 fascinating facts about this legendary vehicle.

1. The Car's Model and Features
   Bonnie and Clyde's car was a 1934 Ford Model 40B Fordor Deluxe sedan. This model was known for its sleek design and advanced features, including a 3.6-liter Flathead V8 engine, the first V8 engine used in a Ford car.

2. Speed and Performance
   The 1934 Ford V8 was celebrated for its speed and reliability. It was faster than many police cars of the time, making it an ideal getaway vehicle for the duo.

3. Clyde's Affection for Ford
   Clyde Barrow had a deep affection for Ford vehicles. He even wrote a letter to Henry Ford, praising the reliability and performance of the V8 cars. The letter, dated April 10, 1934, expressed his gratitude for the "dandy car."

The Car's Role in Their Crimes

Bonnie and Clyde's car was more than just transportation; it was a crucial tool in their criminal activities. Here's how they used it during their crime spree.

4. The Car's Role in Crimes
   Bonnie and Clyde used their Fordor Deluxe extensively during their crime spree. The car was their primary means of escape, often leaving them just a few steps ahead of the law.

5. The Final Ride
   On May 23, 1934, Bonnie and Clyde stole their final car from the driveway of Jesse and Ruth Warren in Topeka, Kansas. This car, a 1934 Ford Model 40B DeLuxe Fordor sedan, would be their last ride.

6. The Ambush
   Bonnie and Clyde were ambushed by a group of lawmen led by retired Texas Ranger Frank Hamer along Louisiana State Highway 154. The officers had been tracking the duo and believed they would be traveling on this road to visit the family of one of their gang members, Henry Methvin.

The End of the Road

The ambush that ended Bonnie and Clyde's lives also left their car in a gruesome state. Here are the details of that fateful day.

7. The Shooting
   When the officers saw Bonnie and Clyde's car, they opened fire. One of the first shots hit Clyde in the head, likely killing him instantly. The men continued to shoot, firing about 130 rounds in total and leaving Bonnie dead as well. By the end of the ambush, the Bonnie and Clyde Death Car was riddled with nearly 120 bullet holes.

8. The Car's Condition After the Ambush
   The car was in a gruesome state after the ambush. It was covered in blood and tissue, making it difficult for the undertaker to embalm the bodies of Bonnie and Clyde. The fluids from their perforated bodies kept exiting, making the task even more challenging.

The Car's Journey After the Ambush

After the ambush, the car's journey was far from over. It went through several hands and became a sideshow attraction.

9. The Car's Aftermath
   After the ambush, the car was confiscated by the police. It was initially kept at a local funeral parlor before being put in the possession of Bienville Parish Sheriff Henderson Jordan, who had been part of the ambush party. However, the rightful owner, Ruth Warren, sued him for its return. She eventually got the vehicle back in August 1934, but it was still covered in blood and tissue.

10. Touring the Car
    The Bonnie and Clyde Death Car went on tour after their deaths, making appearances at carnivals, amusement parks, and state fairs. It was exhibited as a sideshow attraction, drawing large crowds fascinated by the infamous duo.

11. Ownership Changes
    The car changed hands several times. In 1973, a Nevada casino operator named Peter Simon bought it at auction for $175,000, which is equivalent to a quarter of a million dollars today. In 1988, Primm Valley Resorts purchased the V8 Ford, and it has been on display at associated casinos ever since.

Current Display and Legacy

Today, the Bonnie and Clyde Death Car is a popular attraction, drawing visitors who are intrigued by its history and the legacy of the infamous couple.

12. Current Display
    Today, the Bonnie and Clyde Death Car is located at Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino in Primm, Nevada. The display includes letters proving the car's legitimacy and some bullet-riddled clothing. Visitors can see both Clyde’s torn shirt and the car where America’s most infamous criminal couple met their end.

13. Fake Death Cars
    There have been several fake death cars built over the years. One such fake was so convincing that it was fraudulently toured in the United States. The scam was eventually discovered, and the owner was prosecuted. The car was confiscated and later used by Warner Bros. to build replica Death Cars for the 1967 Bonnie and Clyde movie.

14. Historical Significance
    Bonnie and Clyde's car is more than just a relic of their crimes; it symbolizes the era of the Great Depression and the lawlessness that characterized it. The car's speed and reliability made it an essential tool for their escapades, and its current display serves as a reminder of their infamous legacy.

Public Fascination and Media Representation

Bonnie and Clyde's story, along with their car, has captivated the public for decades. Their tale has been retold in various forms of media.

15. Public Reaction
    When Bonnie and Clyde died, people thronged the area to collect souvenirs. Records show that a woman cut off Bonnie’s bloody locks and pieces of her dress while another man tried to cut off Clyde’s trigger finger. This public fascination with the duo and their car underscores the significant impact they had on popular culture.

16. Media Representation
    Bonnie and Clyde have inspired numerous films and documentaries. The 1967 film "Bonnie and Clyde" directed by Arthur Penn is one such example. The 2019 Netflix series "The Highwaymen" also tells the story of the law enforcement officers who ended the journey of Bonnie and Clyde.

Background of Bonnie and Clyde

Understanding the backgrounds of Bonnie and Clyde provides insight into their lives and how they became infamous criminals.

17. Bonnie’s Background
    Bonnie Parker was born on October 1, 1910, in Rowena, Texas. She was a bright student who enjoyed reading and writing poetry. However, she dropped out of high school to marry Roy Thornton, with whom she had a tumultuous relationship. She later joined Clyde Barrow in his crime spree, becoming an integral part of the Barrow Gang.

18. Clyde’s Background
    Clyde Barrow was born on March 24, 1909, in Telico, Texas. He was known for his charisma and leadership skills, which made him the leader of the Barrow Gang. Clyde orchestrated several daring escapes, including the infamous "Eastham Breakout," where he and his gang members escaped from prison.

The Barrow Gang and Their Activities

Bonnie and Clyde were not alone in their criminal activities. They were part of the Barrow Gang, which included several other members.

19. The Barrow Gang
    While Bonnie and Clyde got most of the limelight, they did not commit most of their criminal activities alone. They had a gang—the Barrow Gang—which included Clyde’s older brother Marvin “Buck” Barrow, Joe Palmer, Ralph Fults, Henry Methvin, W.D. Jones, Raymond Hamilton, and Blanche Barrow (Marvin Barrow’s wife).

20. Insurance Policies
    Even though Bonnie and Clyde were hardened criminals, their deaths prompted a change in insurance policies. The American National Insurance Company of Galveston, Texas, had to pay their insurance policies, leading to a rule amendment excluding payout for deaths caused by any criminal acts by the insured.

21. Killing a Police Officer
    Bonnie and Clyde had stolen and killed both civilians and police officers during their past raids. However, when a member of the Clyde Barrow gang shot Major Joe Crowson during the “Eastham Breakout” raid, the police declared an all-out attack on the couple. True to their word, the police ambushed and killed Bonnie and Clyde shortly after.

The Aftermath and Public Reaction

The deaths of Bonnie and Clyde had a significant impact on the public and law enforcement. Their story continues to be a subject of fascination.

22. Public Reaction to Their Death
    The news of Bonnie and Clyde’s deaths spread like wildfire, and soon crowds of people surrounded the car to take souvenirs. Records show that over 500,000 newspapers were sold in Dallas alone when the couple died. This widespread interest underscores the significant impact they had on popular culture.

23. Burial
    Bonnie and Clyde were buried separately. Their bodies were initially taken to a local funeral home, where they were embalmed despite the extensive damage from the bullet wounds. The funeral home had a hard time embalming their bodies due to the numerous perforations.

The Car's Display History

The car's journey didn't end with Bonnie and Clyde's deaths. It continued to be a subject of fascination and was displayed in various places.

24. The Car’s Display History
    After being returned to its rightful owner, Ruth Warren, the car went through several hands before becoming a showpiece. It was exhibited at an amusement park in Cincinnati from 1940 to 1952 and later sold to Ted Toddy for $14,500. In 1988, it was sold to Primmadonna Resorts Inc. for $250,000 and has been on display at Primm Valley Resort & Casino ever since.

25. Exhibitions and Tours
    The Bonnie and Clyde Death Car has been on tour for decades, making appearances at various events and exhibitions. It has been displayed at carnivals, amusement parks, and state fairs, drawing large crowds fascinated by the infamous duo.

26. Legal Battles
    The car's ownership was subject to several legal battles. Ruth Warren, the rightful owner, sued the authorities for its return after it was confiscated. She eventually got the vehicle back but sold it later. The car's ownership changed hands several times before it ended up at Primm Valley Resort & Casino.

The Car's Current Display

Today, the Bonnie and Clyde Death Car is a popular attraction, drawing visitors who are intrigued by its history and the legacy of the infamous couple.

27. Current Display at Primm Valley Resort & Casino
    Today, the Bonnie and Clyde Death Car is located at Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino in Primm, Nevada. The display includes letters proving the car's legitimacy and some bullet-riddled clothing. Visitors can see both Clyde’s torn shirt and the car where America’s most infamous criminal couple met their end.

28. Historical Significance in Popular Culture
    Bonnie and Clyde's car has become an iconic symbol of their legend. It represents the era of the Great Depression and the lawlessness that characterized it. The car's speed and reliability made it an essential tool for their escapades, and its current display serves as a reminder of their infamous legacy.

Media Representation and Legacy

Bonnie and Clyde's story, along with their car, has captivated the public for decades. Their tale has been retold in various forms of media.

29. Media Representation in Films and Documentaries
    Bonnie and Clyde have inspired numerous films and documentaries. The 1967 film "Bonnie and Clyde" directed by Arthur Penn is one such example. The 2019 Netflix series "The Highwaymen" also tells the story of the law enforcement officers who ended the journey of Bonnie and Clyde.

Bonnie's Poetry and Clyde's Leadership

Bonnie and Clyde were not just criminals; they had personal interests and skills that added depth to their characters.

30. Bonnie’s Poetry
    Bonnie Parker was a poet who wrote several poems during her time with Clyde Barrow. Her poetry often reflected the tumultuous life she led and the emotions she experienced during their crime spree.

31. Clyde’s Leadership Skills
    Clyde Barrow was known for his charisma and leadership skills, which made him the leader of the Barrow Gang. He orchestrated several daring escapes, including the infamous "Eastham Breakout," where he and his gang members escaped from prison.

The Barrow Gang's Activities

The Barrow Gang was involved in numerous crimes, including bank robberies, store robberies, and rural gas station robberies. They also murdered several police officers and civilians during their crime spree.

32. The Barrow Gang’s Activities
    The Barrow Gang was involved in numerous crimes, including bank robberies, store robberies, and rural gas station robberies. They also murdered several police officers and civilians during their crime spree.

Public Reaction to Their Crimes

Despite being hardened criminals, Bonnie and Clyde gained a certain level of fame and admiration from the public. Their exploits were widely covered in the press, and people marveled at their daring crimes.

33. Public Reaction to Their Crimes
    Despite being hardened criminals, Bonnie and Clyde gained a certain level of fame and admiration from the public. Their exploits were widely covered in the press, and people marveled at their daring crimes.

The Car's Bullet Holes

The Bonnie and Clyde Death Car had nearly 120 bullet holes after the ambush. The car was riddled with bullets, making it a gruesome sight for those who saw it.

34. The Car’s Bullet Holes
    The Bonnie and Clyde Death Car had nearly 120 bullet holes after the ambush. The car was riddled with bullets, making it a gruesome sight for those who saw it.

Legacy and Impact

Bonnie and Clyde’s car has left a lasting legacy in popular culture. It symbolizes the era of the Great Depression and the lawlessness that characterized it. The car's speed and reliability made it an essential tool for their escapades, and its current display serves as a reminder of their infamous legacy.

35. Legacy and Impact
    Bonnie and Clyde’s car has left a lasting legacy in popular culture. It symbolizes the era of the Great Depression and the lawlessness that characterized it. The car's speed and reliability made it an essential tool for their escapades, and its current display serves as a reminder of their infamous legacy.

The End of the Road

Bonnie and Clyde's car isn't just a vehicle; it's a piece of American history. This 1934 Ford Model 40B Fordor Deluxe sedan, with its sleek design and powerful V8 engine, played a crucial role in their infamous crime spree. Clyde's love for Ford cars, the car's speed, and its reliability made it the perfect getaway vehicle. The ambush that ended their lives left the car riddled with bullet holes, turning it into a macabre symbol of their legacy. Today, the car sits at Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino in Primm, Nevada, drawing curious visitors who want a glimpse into the past. The fascination with Bonnie and Clyde, their daring escapades, and their tragic end continues to captivate people. Their car remains a tangible link to a bygone era of lawlessness and adventure.