During Oklahoma's 50th Anniversary on June 15, 1957, a new gold and white 1957 Plymouth Belvedere Sport Coupe was buried in a time capsule in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. The car is buried under the sidewalk in front of the Tulsa County Courthouse, just waiting to be unearthed on June 15, 2007 -- the state's centennial anniversary.
The citizens of Tulsa are no doubt excited over seeing the classic car come back to life again, taking them back to a time when their grandparents were youngsters in the midst of such things as the beginning of the "Space Race", to a time when Elvis was gaining notoriety, to a time when a Cold War on the rise, among others.
According to event chairman Lewis Roberts Jr., the Plymouth was chosen because it was "an advanced product of American industrial ingenuity with the kind of lasting appeal that will still be in style 50 years from now."
As to what was buried with the car - according to the event's own website, www.buriedcar.com, the contents of a women's purse, including bobby pins, a bottle of tranquilizers, cigarettes and an unpaid parking ticket, were added to the glove compartment of the car shortly before it was sealed under the concrete sidewalk.
Other items included in the time capsule were:
&bull10 gallons of gasoline and 5 quarts of oil
&bullA Douglas Aircraft Co. aerial map of airport facilities and legend
&bullStatement from Tulsa council of Churches and prayer for greatest good next 50 years a recently completed history of churches in Tulsa and a directory of the present churches
&bullStatement from board of education - historical data related to 50 years of education in Tulsa and copies of "School Life" all-high school publication issued by Tulsa high schools each month
&bullStatements from Mayor and Chamber of Commerce officials
&bullFlags which have been flown over the national capitol, state capitol and in the county and city
&bullOther aerial photos of the area
&bullStatement from Tulsa Trades and Labor Council
&bullStatements from all former mayors of the city - their record of service and civic accomplishments in the city, state and nationally.
Will the Plymouth, after 50 years underground, still start when its key is turned come June this year? Well hopefully its will still be in excellent condition enough to put up a great show for all Tulsa citizens.
Plymouth was a marque of automobile based in the United States, marketed by the Chrysler Corporation and DaimlerChrysler from 1928 to 2001.
