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Tulsa Plymouth Sunk?

Flybrian

By Flybrian
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Flybrian Newbie

Flybrian

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Water Seeps Into Vault Holding Buried Car
KOTV - 6/13/2007 11:13 AM - Updated 6/13/2007 3:46 PM
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TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Workers unearthing the 1957 Plymouth Belvedere buried under the city's courthouse lawn were dealt an early setback Wednesday, as several feet of water were found in the concrete vault supposedly strong enough to withstand a nuclear attack.

The two-door hardtop, buried in 1957 to celebrate Oklahoma's 50 years of statehood, is set to be lifted out of the 12-foot-by-20-foot time capsule Friday morning to commemorate the state's centennial year. As many as 50,000 people from all over the world are expected at the event, and more than 260 media credentials have been handed out to reporters from New York to New Zealand.

But news of the standing water was crushing to event organizers. As heavy rain fell at the site, the Belvedere's fate remained unknown.

The vault was briefly opened Wednesday so hazardous materials crews could inspect the 10 gallons of gasoline and motor oil cans that had been placed in the time capsule in case internal combustion engines became obsolete by 2007.

Excavators found water halfway up on the car's fenders and more evidence water could have been to the top of the vault at one point, said Art Couch, who is heading up the unearthing project.

''I don't know how bad it is, but it's not good,'' Couch said. ``We were hoping it would be dry in there.''

Some water was pumped out, and the city was to bring in a truck to remove the last foot or so.

''The concrete must not have been as good as we hoped it was,'' Couch said. ``It had some failures over the years; the concrete didn't hold.''

The Belvedere was wrapped in a protective plastic material before it was buried, but it was unknown how it held up against the elements.

''Plymouths were very prone to rust to begin with,'' said Jim Benjaminson, a car collector from North Dakota who has written several books on Plymouths. ''Depending on this bag, if that car has sat in water for 50 years, I don't hold much hope for it.''

Benjaminson, who plans to be at Friday's unearthing, said he read a recent article that the plastic used to cover the Belvedere was supposed to protect materials ''for 1,200 years'' from rust.

''I guess we're going to see if that claim is true,'' he said.

Organizers say this just creates that much more mystery around the car's unveiling. News On 6 anchor Terry Hood hosts our live special Friday evening at 7 o’clock. The unveiling can also be seen live, streaming on the internet at kotv.com.
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knightfan26917

knightfan26917

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While this IS kinda neat ... I'm a bit disappointed that this much has been revealed before Friday. Kinda takes the "edge" off the mystery and excitement ... at least a little bit, I'd think....

*shrugs*

Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker

PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Things get complicated when you get past 18" ... Statler Brothers ... 'Class of '57'

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toesuf94 Newbie

toesuf94

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If you watch the interview she does say that the car was wrapped in three plastic bags, cosmolene, rust preventatives, and other materials to keep it safe. I guess they had enough forsight to think that it might have water in the hole...we shall see Friday Night. My fingers are crossed. Would love to see her in perfect shape!

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balthazar

balthazar

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Even triple-wrapped in plastic isn't likely to keep water out- it's not the plastic itself but the what-has-to-be numerous seams and the manner of sealant on those seams...

Water manages to get in against the stoutest of defenses. A sump pump system would've been very smart.

I am extremely hopefull, nonetheless.

2 questions: I wonder if the water table level was acertained in 1957, and could there be any other reason as to why the crane operator needed another P-57... besides event hype?

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knightfan26917

knightfan26917

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Incidentally, is this why Silvester and Dodgefan are headed to Tulsa?

*nods*

Indeed, that IS the plan.

I admit ... even though some of the footage we've seen tempers some of the excitement ... I sure wish I had been able to go after all. Sure would be neat to be there for the live unveiling.... Ah, well ... I'll have to wait until tomorrow night to see the videos and pics of the event....

Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker

WRMNshowcase.lego.HO.model.MCs.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Come pick me up" ... Ben Folds ... 'Landed'

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BigPontiac Newbie

BigPontiac

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Where is it going? (I'm a bit out of the loop on this one...)

Appears they're trying to clean it up and get it running for the larger ceremony later on tonight. It's unfortunate they gave that task to Boyd Coddington...the time crunch aspect would have played better to the crew on Overhaulin' with Chip Foose.

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A Horse With No Name Experienced

A Horse With No Name

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Doubt that there is any way to get it running. That much time under water and the rings, mains, transmission seals, etc. would be shot.

Wonder if they will be able to read the microfilm to see who wins the "new" 1957 automobile.

Chris

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Delta Force79 Newbie

Delta Force79

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They aren't cleanig it off, they are just bringing it to the convention center for the big reveal tonight. Boyd is going to try to get her running if possible, but the event host said they aren't going to clean her or try to restore her in any way. How she is, is how we'll see her.

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vonVeezelsnider Newbie

vonVeezelsnider

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OMG! 68 Made the KOTV article:

http://www.kotv.com/news/local/story/?id=129540

Simple curiosity drew visitors from all over the world. Silvester Humaj’s ‘59 Buick broke down on the way from Massachusetts. He didn't let car trouble keep him away from seeing the buried treasure.

"I cannot imagine being anywhere else that's cooler than this. This is one of the coolest moments for me,” Humaj said. “I was born in 1979. I didn't have a chance to see a ‘58, ‘57, ‘56 something, you know? ‘57 Plymouth, I wish I could see a new one. This is about as close as we can get."

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ocnblu Newbie

ocnblu

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Does anyone know if this will be broadcast live on television anywhere nationwide? I'd love to watch, and I can't get any of these vids to load, something about an incompatability with the video player...
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Delta Force79 Newbie

Delta Force79

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ocn....I think it'll only be broadcast in Tulsa...everyone else has to watch it online...I'm sure it'll pop up on youtube at some point. Perhaps you need to update your quicktime or whichever media player your using?

Edit: I'm on KOTV.com and the stream is working for me, the program should be starting in about 5 minutes....oh wait a minute the feed just cut out <_<

Here's a link anyway click

Edited by Delta Force79
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