Tulsa World: Buried Belvedere vault full of water

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Buried Belvedere vault full of water

The discovery of water in the vault was particularly difficult for the scores of volunteers who have worked for more than 18 months on the cars excavation. Mike Simons/Tulsa World

By World staff
Published: 6/13/2007 10:05 AM
Last Modified: 6/13/2007 2:50 PM

Video: Watch a video taken Wednesday showing the Belvedere submerged in water.

The vault in which Tulsa buried a Plymouth Belvedere 50 years ago was built to withstand a nuclear attack.

Water, apparently, not so much.

Workers lifted the vault's lid Wednesday morning to find about two feet of standing water and indications the vault may have been filled to the rim sometime during the past half-century.

The car itself remained encased in several layers of purportedly water-tight material, its precise condition a mystery. The outline of the Belvedere's trademark tailfins was clearly visible under the coverings, but hopes for recovering the car in something like pristine condition faded.

Rain at mid-morning brought work at the site to a halt. The vault was covered with a canopy and opaque plastic attached to the chain link fence surrounding to keep spectators from looking in. Workers hoped to assess the condition of the steel skid supporting the Belvedere.

The condition of the time capsule, which in appearance resembles a small propane tank, was not clear.

The discovery of water in the vault was particularly difficult for the scores of volunteers who have worked for more than 18 months on the car's excavation. Their chairwoman, Sharon King Davis, wiped away a tear as she surveyed the vault.

She

brightened a few minutes later, though, and said, "The party goes on!"

In addition to Friday's unearthing and unveiling activities, two Tulsarama car shows featuring 500 classic automobiles and a Saturday night sock hop are scheduled for the weekend.

Find complete coverage of Tulsa's famous buried car: An archive of every Tulsa World and Tulsa Tribune story about the 1957 Plymouth Belvedere; a slide show and video of the burial; and a schedule of events for the unearthing Friday. Readers also can submit their own stories and photos.

By World staff

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	Report Comment Kevin, Tulsa (6/13/2007 10:31:03 AM) HAHAHAHAHAHA That is gonna be funny! Shoulda burried a boat!
	Report Comment Jeff, (6/13/2007 10:34:46 AM) This sucks! Hope the vacuum sealing will save it from being a rust bucket.
	Report Comment Bob Stafford, Montgomery, TX (6/13/2007 10:37:13 AM) That is so sad, I was in high school in Tulsa when it was buried and wondered if I would still be around when it was uncovered. Well I am and was hoping all would be well. A lot of memories associated with those days.
	Report Comment KAYE, (6/13/2007 10:53:03 AM) I WAS THERE WITH MY DAD I WAS 6 YEARS OLD MY DAD SAID ( I WILL NOT BE HERE ) WHEN THEY UNEARTH THIS CAR BUT YOU WILL AND IM SO GLAD I SHARED THIS WITH HIM. I HAVE NEVER FORGOT THOSE WORDS
	Report Comment not all caps, tulsa (6/13/2007 11:19:54 AM) umm Kaye...try not typing everything in all caps...no need to yell
	Report Comment Tosha, Utica,MS (6/13/2007 11:20:09 AM) OH NO! This is so sad. I pray everything will work out for the best!
	Report Comment steve, okc (6/13/2007 11:22:46 AM) Shades of Geraldo and Al Capone's vault I suppose. As a native Tulsan, I hope all turns out well in the end - the international attention gained from the lead in has been tremendous. It would be a shame if the climax is disappointing.
	Report Comment Corey M., Tulsa (6/13/2007 11:40:25 AM) How appropriate: the effort speaks volumes about Tulsa 50 years ago and still today. Poor planning, poor execution and drowned-out dreams. The more things change, the more they stay the same. I sure am glad they didn't bury anything of real value.
	Report Comment Beth, Tulsa (6/13/2007 11:55:55 AM) Maybe the planning & execution weren't perfect, but that wasn't the point. Anytime you bury a car, you're wondering what will happen. Just a curiosity, that's all. No dreams involved here!
	Report Comment Bob Stafford, Montgomery, TX (6/13/2007 12:03:47 PM) That is so sad, I was in high school in Tulsa when it was buried and wondered if I would still be around when it was uncovered. Well I am and was hoping all would be well. A lot of memories associated with those days.
	Report Comment Damon, (6/13/2007 12:06:07 PM) That really sucks and is very sad to hear.
	Report Comment Verna, Tulsa (6/13/2007 12:10:30 PM) Quick! Somebody better get in there before Friday. Just put a big tent around it and replace it with the back-up Belvedere. Nobody'll know the dif.
	Report Comment John, Dallas TX (6/13/2007 12:11:10 PM) Look at the bright side, we now know the interior vinyl and plastics,will be supple and crack-free! There is still time to sneak in the matching Belvedere from the Kansas museum in it's place. Perhaps, somehow mysteriously, the trip from the vault to the exhibit hall will result in an extensive detour!!
	Report Comment Janice , Pryor (6/13/2007 12:11:23 PM) I am curious to see the oucome of the Belvedere. We lived in Tulsa during this time, I don't remember anything about the time capsule but my brother does. I'm anxious to see if everything survived!
	Report Comment Tulsan, (6/13/2007 12:11:26 PM) Why am I not a bit surprised? I'm glad I wasn't interested in this in the first place. As a previous poster said, this is how things tend to pan out for Tulsa. Next time bury a time capsule let's think more realistically. Keeping a car untouched by the elements underground for 50 years is a bit of a pipe dream. Nobody is going to enjoy the rusty old mess when they get it out of the ground. Everyone will leave the ceremony wanting their money back.
	Report Comment Tulsan, (6/13/2007 12:14:42 PM) Now half the country (and some people in other countries, apparently) will all be watching Tulsa remove a heap of rust and rot from the ground. Great publicity. For once, can't we do something good to attract attention?
	Report Comment Theata Thomas , Claremore, Ok. (6/13/2007 12:15:08 PM) Makes a person wonder if these vaults that is recured to buired people is realy water tight.
	Report Comment Josh, Tulsa (6/13/2007 12:19:50 PM) The city should have saved the money on this wet car project and spent it on something worth while, like more police officers, I would rather see more officers than an old rusted car be unearthed
	Report Comment Jane, Bartlesville (6/13/2007 12:23:16 PM) There are too many depressive postings here! It's only a buried car, done for amusement. Who knew in 1957 that it would become a national event, and how is it that this lucky publicity is cause now for all this naysaying? If anything, it's interesting that the car might be a rustbucket. To answer the last, those vaults are not waterproof, sorry.
	Report Comment AES, (6/13/2007 12:24:09 PM) I was in high school living in a smaller town close by when the car was burried. Although it is disappointing that it was not kept dry, just think of all the memories that it has created. As a classic car buff, even though it has some water damage does not mean that this car cannot be restored to its origional look! To me, it is still a miracle to have burried a car and have it gooed enough shape for it to be lifted "whole" from the vault. This is most incouraging and the car will be worth a fortune in the near future!
	Report Comment Carol, Tulsa (6/13/2007 12:31:19 PM) And potentially toxic to boot.....perfect.
	Report Comment Jeff, (6/13/2007 12:42:12 PM) Come on people be real. In the fifties do you actually think the technology back then would have allowed that car to make it 50 years? I think the way they wrapped it and what not was brilliant for that time period. I think the water in it and the years of being in the ground make it all that more interesting to see just what this will look like. I am excited to see this car regardless of the condition it might be in. This is history.
	Report Comment Sue, Tulsa (6/13/2007 12:47:00 PM) I'm still hoping for the best. It's still vacuum sealed in canvas and plastic. And we really weren't given a whole lot of information regarding the water situation. I checked KOTV website and there is nothing on there about this. Hopefully it isn't near as bad as we think. I'm still excited to see the outcome!
	Report Comment Carol, tulsa (6/13/2007 12:47:49 PM) Actually Mel, my computer has the problem...not me...never me me me me me.
	Report Comment Mike, Tulsa (6/13/2007 12:54:20 PM) Oh well, at least they didn't waste a '57 Chevy on the rust-urrection!

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