News

TULSARAMA

On June 15, 1957, a new gold and white 1957 Plymouth Belvedere Sport Coupe was buried in a time capsule in downtown Tulsa, OK. The time capsule was part of Golden Jubilee Week: Tulsa's celebration of Oklahoma's semi-centennial. The car is buried under the sidewalk in front of the Tulsa County Courthouse, approximately 100 feet north of the intersection of Sixth Street and Denver Avenue.
The car was seen as a method of acquainting twenty-first century citizens with a suitable representation of 1957 civilization. According to event chairman Lewis Roberts Sr., the Plymouth was chosen because it was "an advanced product of American industrial ingenuity with the kind of lasting appeal that will still be in style 50 years from now."
The contents of a women's purse, including bobby pins, a bottle of tranquilizers, cigarettes and an unpaid parking ticket, were added to the glove compartment of the car shortly before burial.
Other items included in the time capsule were:
10 gallons of gasoline and 5 quarts of oil
A Douglas Aircraft Co. aerial map of airport facilities and legend
Statement from Tulsa Council of Churches and prayer for greatest good next 50 years and recently completed history of churches in Tulsa and a directory of the present churches
Statement from board of education - historical data related to 50 years of education in Tulsa and copies of "School Life" all-high school publication issued by Tulsa high schools each month
Statements from Mayor and Chamber of Commerce officials
Flags which have been flown over the national capitol, state capitol and in the county and city
Other aerial photos of the area
Statement from Tulsa Trades and Labor Council
Statements from all former mayors of the city - their record of service and civic accomplishments in the city, state and nationally.
As part of the "Tulsarama!" festivities, citizens of Tulsa were asked to guess what the population of Tulsa would be in the year 2007. The guesses were then recorded on microfilm and sealed in a steel container buried with the car. When the car and artifacts are excavated, the person whose guess is closest to Tulsa's 2007 population is to be awarded the Belvedere.
Friday - June 15, 2007 @ noon
UNEARTHING limited VIP and special seating on Denver Street. LIVE SIMULCAST of the unearthing in the Convention Center, Exhibit Hall A
Friday - June 15, 2007 @ 6:30pm
UNVEILING in the Arena in the Convention Center. $5 AND $10 tickets available through Carson Attractions.
The l957 Plymouth will be pulled on a trailer into the Arena where we will open the automobile, simulcast on screens above the arena of the interior of the car.
Time Capsule will be opened, contents pulled out. OU Engineering Research will take a very small sample of the gasoline put into the l957 Time Capsule for research on fuels. $10 tickets will be good for one time admission into the Car Show on Sat. and Sun. Boyd Coddington of American Hot Rod on TLC and his crew will be on hand with the ultimate goal of starting the engine!
Saturday - June 16, 2007 10am to 8pm
TULSARAMA INVITATIONAL CAR SHOW in Exhibit Halls B&C in the Convention Center Starring "THE BURIED BELVEDERE" Very special classic and collected automobiles will be on exhibit, displays of Tulsa History and culture and of course....the Unearthed Buried Belvedere and its contents will be on display for everyone to view. Admission Charge: $5 with children under l0 free
TULSARAMA OPEN CAR SHOW 9am to 3pm
View fabulous classic cars, National Auto Clubs, listen to that great music of the 50's, refreshments and enjoy strolling the streets around the Convention Center.
BELVEDERE SOCK HOP 8pm to 11 pm
in Exhibit Hall A in the Convention Center. Rock around the Clock to fabulous sounds of Fabian, Bobby Vee and the Chiffon's.
Dont forget Contests for Best 50's Costumes and don't forget the dance and hula hoop contests.
Sunday - June 17, 2007
TULSARAMA INVITATIONAL CAR SHOW
Continues in Convention Center l0am to 3pm+
TULSARAMA OPEN CAR SHOW
Continues on Downtown Streets 9am to 3pm 

® Plymouth is a registered trademark of Chrysler Motors and is used with special permission