Bonnie and Clyde: 20 Things Most People Don't Know About Their Ford V8

The legend of Bonnie and Clyde lives on in our literature and films, inspiring many to uncover the true story behind the legend and find as much information as possible. There are many variations of stories, each adding to the charm of the legend. From the first bank robbery in Lancaster, Texas to the end of their run on Highway 1930, the actions that took place in the early 125s are almost forgotten.

The allure of America's most infamous duo often overshadows the other players in the game, such as Clyde's brother Buck and his "wife" Blanche, and friend Henry Methvin, whose actions set the events that lead to Bonnie and Clyde's death in motion. .

The most overlooked character in this opera is not a man, but a 1934 Deluxe 730 Ford Model bought and owned by newlyweds Ruth and Jesse Warren. Through everything they went through because of the car, Ruth was the only one willing to fight to keep her, as Jesse hated the car, which may have contributed to their divorce.

The Ford may have been built along with the rest of the Model A's that were assembled at the River Rouge plant in Michigan, but it was destined to take part in an amazing tale of forbidden love, police chases, and brutal betrayal that left scars in the south. and left his unique footprints on the car.

I have scoured the Internet to provide you with an accurate account of Ford's events and facts to the best of my ability. With that said, I hope you enjoy Bonnie and Clyde's 20 Ford V8 Facts!

20 Assembled at the plant in River Rouge, Michigan.

Known as "The Rouge," the 2,000-acre land that would become the plant was purchased in 1915. First, boats for the military were produced in the area, then in 1921, Fordson tractors. This was followed by production of the Model A in 1927, but it was not until 1932 that the "new" Ford V8 was fitted to the frame of the Model A. Our Model 730 Deluxe was produced in February 1934, the same year that Bonnie Parker was arrested for failed robbery in Kaufman, Texas. In April of that year, Clyde was directly implicated in his first known murder, when a shopkeeper named J. N. Bucher was shot and killed. JN's wife pointed to Clyde as one of the shooters.

19 Powered by "Flathead" V8

While not the first V8 used in a car, the flathead used in the model was the first "one-piece" V8 cast from the crankcase and cylinder block as a single unit. In a simplified engine, pushers and rocker arms were abandoned to improve efficiency.

The first V8s were 221 cubic inches, rated at 65 horsepower, and had 21 studs on the cylinder head—these engines were nicknamed "Stud 21s."

While not considered very fast or efficient these days, in 1932 it was a technical revolution, a V8 for the masses at a low price. In fact, it was cheap enough that any working man could buy one, and Clyde, who, according to TheCarConnection.com, already loved Fords, thought that, naturally, he would steal a Ford V8 at first sight.

18 Many additional factory options

georgeshinnclassiccars.com

The car featured a bumper guard, an Arvin water heater, and a metal cover over the spare tire. But perhaps the most distinctive feature of our 730 Deluxe model was the Greyhound chrome grille used as a radiator cap.

In addition, the Model A on which it was based already had windows that rolled down and could also move back slightly to ventilate the cabin.

The doors were also a sight to behold as they both opened into the rear of the car. The car had no shortage of options as it sold for more than its advertised price (which was around $535–$610 according to ThePeopleHistory.com). The V8 offered in 1934 had 85 horsepower, more than the previous year, making it one of the fastest cars on the road.

17 Originally purchased for $785.92 ($14,677.89 today)

As I mentioned, a new 1934 Ford V8 cost about $610. Since it was sold to the Warrens for $785, I can only guess that some options were added by the dealer.

However, buying any new V8-powered car for the same price is next to impossible considering it would only cost around $14,000 today.

Almost the only new car in this price range that I know of today is the Mitsubishi Mirage, and it only has half a V8. The cheapest four-door V8 car on the market is the Dodge Charger, which costs more than twice as much. If you want the equivalent of a modern Model A, you're out of luck as Ford no longer makes a four-door V8 engine.

16 Purchased from dealer in Topeka, Kansas.

Via Kansas Historical Society

Built in 1928, the original building where the car was sold still survives largely intact (except for a few aprons) at SW Van Buren Street and SW 7th Street. In the meantime, it housed several dealerships, including Jack Frost Motors, Vic Yarrington Oldsmobile, and Mosby-Mack Motors. Mosby-Mack Motors dealerships are long gone, as the downtown dealership was purchased by Willard Noller, who then founded Laird Noller Motors, which is still in existence today. The car dealership that sold a brand new Ford Tudor Deluxe on Van Buren Street to a roofing contractor and his wife has been bought out, and as for the building, it's now a law office.

15 Originally owned by Ruth and Jesse Warren.

Ruth married Jessie in the early 1930s. He was a roofing contractor and owned his own home at 2107 Gabler Street in Topeka, Kansas. When March came it was time to buy a new car, so they drove about two miles down the street to Mosby McMotors. The dealership sold them a brand new Ford Model 730 Deluxe Sedan that they drove away for just $200, with $582.92 due by April 15th. They only drove it a few hundred miles to break it in before all the debt was paid.

14 Stolen around 3:30 am, April 29th.^th, 1934

I came across a couple of stories about exactly how Bonnie and Clyde stole a car. A newspaper clipping was posted on the Ancestory.com forum in which Ruth recounted the story, as well as how Ken Cowan, who was seven years old and playing across the street with his friends at the time, remembers her.

Apparently, Ruth returned home and left the keys in her car, after which she sat on the porch with her sister and another woman.

The sister's baby started crying and all the women rushed inside to take care of the baby. It was at this time that Cowan witnessed a woman (presumably Bonnie) rush to the running boards of the Ford and look inside. It wasn't until Jesse called Ruth to pick him up that they realized the car was gone.

13 Traveled approximately 7,000 miles

through graffiti images

The fact that Bonnie and Clyde traveled 7,000 miles is a lot considering they only had 3 weeks left in the queue. Also, of course, it wasn't a direct shot from Topeka Kansas on Louisiana Highway 154, where they ended up cornered. It was three weeks of constant driving, running around and stealing. The V8 engine was definitely put to the test as the pair overcame any speed limits or the speed the car needed to support. Most of the run was probably in Texas where they shot a cop outside of Dallas. They then hid in West Louisiana using the Alabama Plates to try and hide from the cops chasing them.

12 Henry's letter (about his Dandy car)

True or not, the story goes that Henry Ford received a handwritten letter from Clyde. For those who have trouble reading cursive, she reads. “Dear sir, while I still have my breath, I will tell you what a great car you are making. I drove exclusively Fords when I got away with it. For the sake of steady speed and getting out of trouble, Ford ripped off every other car, and even if my business wasn't strictly legal, it wouldn't hurt anything if I told you what a great V8 car you have. Sincerely, Clyde Champion Barrow." There are several questions regarding the letter's authenticity (for example, the handwriting looks more like Bonnie's than Clyde's). Also, Clyde's middle name is Chestnut, and he only started using the fictitious middle name, Champion, when he was sent to the Texas State Penitentiary.

11 Was driving 85 miles an hour before being pulled over

The end was near when Bonnie and Clyde climbed into the Ford, taking some breakfast with them. After throwing a party with the Methvin family a couple of days before, they stopped when they spotted Ivy Methvin's Model A pickup truck. Ivy was stopped early and handcuffed.

One of the truck's wheels was removed to give the impression that it was broken.

When the infamous Ford came into view, the cops prepared for a secret signal. As soon as the Ford slowed down, Bob Alcorn yelled for him to stop the car. Before Bonnie or Clyde could react, the car was fired upon from all sides as the cops stepped out from behind the bushes they were hiding behind.

10 body damage

This number is somewhat speculative, as I've seen several numbers ranging from "over 100" to "about 160". 167 is the most accurate number I've come across several times, and without seeing the car or knowing how to count, I'll have to follow what I'm told. Of course, more shots were fired at the criminals and their car, but, remarkably, the protective glass did not break, despite the steel-tipped bullets that also hit the side door and the driver's hood. Some bullets traveled further than others, entering the rear window and upper body. The car was riddled with holes, as were the bodies of Bonnie and Clyde.

9 Car towed to Arcadia with bodies inside!

After the smoke cleared and the officers recovered from their temporary deafness, they began to unload various weapons from the Ford, as well as ammunition, a blanket, 15 license plates stolen from the Midwest, and Clyde's saxophone.

The two men went into town to fetch the coroner, and soon a mob formed trying to steal the body parts and the Ford.

Glasses were broken from the bodies and pieces of clothing were torn off. The coroner decided that he was unable to view the bodies and they needed to be moved to his office in Arcadia, Louisiana.

8 Transferred to a Ford dealer for safekeeping (then to a local jail!)

With the souvenir-hungry crowd behind, the car was towed eight miles to a nearby town. The bodies were removed and sent to the morgue, which was located behind the Conger furniture store.

According to William Dees, whose story is told in AP News and whose father owned a nearby bank at the time, the store's furniture was trampled on and destroyed by people wanting to get a better look at the bodies.

The car itself then had to be stored at a local Ford dealership. The crowd also followed the car as it drove into the garage, so the doors were closed and locked. The crowd got angry and tried to open the doors. The dealership owner decided to get into the Ford and attempt to drive up to the jail, following instructions given by Sheriff Henderson Jordan over the phone.

7 Ford was still running

Dealership owner Marshall Woodward sat on the stained seats and the car miraculously started despite several bullet holes piercing the hood. It seemed like they missed the motor altogether.

He drove his car out of the garage, across a crowded alley and up the hill to the prison.

The prison had a 10 foot high barbed wire fence, so they parked the car behind the fence and the mob came back but now couldn't get in. The sheriff wouldn't let anyone inside to have a good look around. After a while, people became disillusioned and returned to the city. A few days later the car returned to the dealership.

6  The Warrens finally got their car back

Back in Kansas, Ruth received a call saying her car had been found. The Warrens were soon approached by Duke Mills, who planned to show the car at the Chicago World's Fair. When he and his lawyer went to Louisiana to get the car, he was turned down by Sheriff Jordan, who demanded to pay $15,000 to have it returned. Ruth traveled to Louisiana to get her car and ended up hiring a lawyer to sue Sheriff Jordan, who wanted to keep the location of the car a secret from the public. In addition, according to Sheriff Jordan, many people tried to claim ownership. It wasn't until August that Ruth won her case, and the car was loaded and driven to her house.

5 First rented to United Shows (who didn't pay for it later)

Leaving the car in the parking lot for a few days, Ruth rented it to John Castle of United Shows, who then exhibited it at the Topeka Fairgrounds. By the next month, Castle was in breach of contract by not paying the rent, and the Warrens went to court again to try to get their car back.

Of course, they returned the car because it was theirs by right, although its condition contributed to Jesse Warren's gloomy attitude.

He really thought the car had turned into a bloody mess and an eyesore sitting in his driveway. I'm sure this led to a lot of strife for the couple, as they divorced shortly thereafter in 1940.

4 Country travel

The car was then rented by Charles Stanley for $200.00 a month. He toured dealerships and fairs around the country, introducing the car as the "Barrow-Parker Show Car". Ruth eventually sold Stanley's Ford for only $3,500 as public interest waned over time.

Also, another showman shot a pair of Tudor Ford V8s and falsely presented them as real.

The public denounced Stanley's genuine Ford as just another fake, and he then exhibited it in Cincinnati. In the late 40s, the car was put in a warehouse, as the Crime Doctor was tired of explaining to everyone who Bonnie and Clyde were. It seemed like no one cared anymore.

3 Great Race (For Sale!)

I know this thread sounds like a crappy advertisement for a desperate dealer, but as a publicity stunt to try and sell the car, Clyde Wade of the Harr Automotive Museum in Reno entered the 1987 Interstate Batteries Great Race car race. According to TexasHideout.com, he proceeded to restore the engine to working order, covering the side windows with plexiglass and temporarily replacing the windshield to pass an inspection. Although the car was full of holes, it was ready for the race. The old Model A was piloted by two friends of Clyde Wade, Bruce Gezon and Virginia Withers, across the country from California to Disney World in Florida.

2 Purchased in 1988 for $250,000 (over $500,000 today).

mimissitcase.blogspot.com

The car was sold to Ted Toddy Stanley, who was retiring over the affair. A few years later, in 1967, the famous Bonnie and Clyde A film was made starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty. This caused an increase in hype around the car as it became popular again.

The car was sold in 1975 to Peter Simon, who owned the Pops Oasis racing car park in Jean, Nevada, about 30 miles south of Las Vegas.

Ten years later, the casino closed and the car was sold for $250,000 to Primm Resorts, who exhibit it from time to time in other casinos and museums around the country. He is often found next to gangster Dutch Schultz's car, which has lead-coated body panels so it only has dents instead of holes.

1 Currently resides at Whiskey Pete's Casino in Primm, Nevada.

bonnieandclydehistory.blogspot.com

The car was purchased in 1988 for $250,000 (currently over $500,000) by Gary Primm, who later also bought Clyde's blue shirt and a sample of his navy blue trousers for $85,000 at auction. The car is now inside the plexiglass walls along with two mannequins dressed as Bonnie and Clyde, one of which is wearing Clyde's real shirt. The exhibit is decorated with several letters that protect the authenticity of the car. The car doors were locked so that no one brave enough to climb the glass cage could get inside the car. From time to time the car will travel across southern Nevada to different casinos, but Whiskey Pete's is its mainstay.

Sources: The Car Connection. History of the People, Ancestry.com, AP News, texashideout.com