THE BALLAD OF BONNIE AND CLYDE'S DEATH CAR
Primm Valley NV
After notorious outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were ambushed in Gibsland, LA, in 1934, the Ford sedan they were driving was sent around the country under the sponsorship of the National Anti-Crime Association to show what might happen if you choose to lead a life of crime. After that tour was over, the car was then given back to owner Ruth Warren, who sold it for 3,500. The bullet-ridden vehicle was then sent to a carnival in Cincinnati, where it stood until the early ’40’s where public interest started to wane about the famous gun-touting duo.

In 1952, the car was sold to Ted Toddy, this time to promote his movie called “Killers All.” The 1934 Ford was hauled around the country to show off at each premiere. The car eventually went into storage in Atlanta until 1967, when Warner Bros. released “Bonnie And Clyde,” starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. With the popularity of the movie and interest once again in the Depression-Era story of Bonnie and Clyde, the car was back on the road, now criss-crossing various casinos and resorts across Nevada.

Currently it is on display at Primm Valley Casino with other various Bonnie and Clyde memorabilia. The sedan is encased in glass with two rather stiff looking dummies propped up against it. There have been some minor changes to the car (new tires, plastic seat covers, etc) but you can see various photos taken of the car the day of the ambush. Yes, all the bullet holes do match up. This car is the real deal.

Also on display in the casino is a 1932 Lincoln 4-door sedan owned by Al Capone and Dutch Schultz. A security guard pointed out to us that the bullet holes in Capone’s car were less dense than the shredded and twisted metal of the Bonnie and Clyde car.

“Do you know why?” the security guard asked us. “Because Al was smart. This car was bullet proof.”