So, fifty years ago, the city of Tulsa, OK, decided to time-capsule a Plymouth Belvedere. I suppose because of the shark-like profile and the tail fins on the ’57 model. Lord knows it couldn’t have been the engineering. They recently popped the capsule, for a little event called Tulsarama, only to discover a slight problem. The capsule had leaked and the car was up to its floor boards in brown water. Hopefully only the tires will be ruined. Could be tough finding four new ones with those wide white sidewalls of yesteryear. Good recent piece in Slate, about a (shudder) Studebaker, shows why these old cars were so much worse than the ones today. Nostalgia only goes so far. And fifty years is too far.
Via Autoblog.
UPDATE Oops. This report says the water was up to the windows. Lots more than tires to fix.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 
By World staff
6/14/2007 2:58 PM
Workers conducted a successful test lift of the buried 1957 Plymouth Belvedere on Thursday afternoon.
Tulsarama Chairwoman Sharon King Davis said she feels “much better” about the condition of car, which was found in standing water Wednesday when the lid was removed from the vault where it has been buried for the last 50 years in the Tulsa County Courthouse lawn.
The Belvedere’s distinctive tailfins have poked through its protective wrapping and appeared to be in good condition Thursday.
A 120-ton crane has been moved into place to lift the Belvedere from its vault at noon Friday. It will then be taken to the Convention Center Arena, where its vacuum-sealed cover will be removed at 7 p.m.
By World staff
It will all come clear at 7 p.m. CDT on the morrow.
I think it is up and hubby says it may look like one of Saddam’s rusty tanks as there sure was a hole in the wrapping…how do we say ‘whoops’ ?