I’ve stumbled upon a fascinating piece of history that continues to draw crowds, even after 85 years. It’s none other than the infamous getaway car that Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were in during their last moments.
This car, riddled with bullets from the ambush by police that ended their spree of crime, holds a macabre allure that has not faded with time. The pair met their demise far from here, in Gibsland, Louisiana, making the car’s presence in Primm all the more intriguing.
You might wonder how this significant piece of criminal history has made its way across the country to end up here.
It’s as though the car itself has been on the run, showcasing the bullet holes and bloodstains that tell a grim story of its infamous passengers.
Visiting This Iconic Car
In recent years, the very essence of that piece of history I mentioned earlier, the 1934 Ford Fordor Deluxe – quite the powerhouse in its day with a V8 engine – has found a permanent parking spot inside Whiskey Pete’s Hotel & Casino here in Primm.
It’s quite a sight: the original, authentic death car of Bonnie and Clyde, preserved and on display for anyone to see, at any time, and without a charge..
At Whiskey Pete’s, they’ve added a bit of theatrics to the display – showroom dummies of Bonnie and Clyde, armed with faux machine guns, are posed near the car, allowing visitors to still capture a moment with the infamous duo in spirit, if not in flesh.
More than Just a Car
Alongside the car and the lifelike figures of Bonnie and Clyde, there’s even more to see. Imagine standing there, just inches away from Clyde’s actual shirt, the one he was wearing when he met his end. It’s chilling, really, with its front and back pierced by bullet holes.
There’s also an array of personal items the couple had on them, old photographs, handwritten notes, newspaper clippings, and a short video documentary that delves into their lives and infamous careers. It’s like stepping back in time and getting a glimpse into their world.
Visitors still enjoy seeing the car, and learning about the couple’s history, and how they were killed. It’s a piece of American history and the price is right. Just don’t hit the slot machines too hard.
But that’s not all Whiskey Pete’s has to offer. For those fascinated by tales of crime and notorious figures, there’s another legendary vehicle on display. Once owned by the infamous Chicago mobster Al Capone, this car is a relic from 1931, fortified with lead-filled doors and bullet-resistant glass an inch thick.
Brief History of Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow became infamous during the Great Depression, a time of significant economic hardship in the United States.
Their crime spree spanned several years in the early 1930s. Originally from Texas, they traveled across the central United States, robbing banks, small stores, and rural gas stations.
Their notoriety was bolstered by the media, which often glamorized their criminal activities and romanticized their relationship.
This media portrayal contributed to their folk hero status among some segments of the public, who saw them as rebels against the troubled economic system of the time.
Their lives of crime came to a violent end in 1934, when they were ambushed by police in Louisiana.
