From 1932 until its bloody conclusion in May of 1934, Bonnie Parker, Clyde Barrow and an ever-changing gang of accomplices became a nationwide talking point as a result of a murderous crime spree which spanned the Central United States. Naturally, such a high-profile criminal gang depended on high-powered transport to evade the authorities and judging by the number he stole over the years, Barrow seemingly had a soft spot for Ford’s V8-powered Model B. In fact, both Bonnie and Clyde died in the car they had grown to depend on, showered with bullets as they attempted to drive away from police in ’34. A month before that happened, Henry Ford received the following admiring letter, purportedly from Barrow himself.
The letter is currently on display at the Ford Museum; its authenticity has been debated for many years.
Transcript follows.
(Source: Tyler Davies; Image: Bonnie & Clyde, via.)
Transcript
Tulsa Okla
10th April
Mr. Henry Ford
Detroit Mich.Dear Sir: –
While I still have got breath in my lungs I will tell you what a dandy car you make. I have drove Fords exclusivly when I could get away with one. For sustained speed and freedom from trouble the Ford has got ever other car skinned and even if my business hasen’t been strickly legal it don’t hurt enything to tell you what a fine car you got in the V8 –
Yours truly
Clyde Champion Barrow