The Infamous Car of Bonnie and Clyde: A Study of Bullet Holes
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, the notorious American outlaws, met their demise on May 23, 1934, in a hail of bullets from a posse of law enforcement officers. Their getaway car, a 1934 Ford V8, was riddled with bullet holes, leaving behind a gruesome and fascinating piece of American history. In this article, we’ll delve into the fascinating story of Bonnie and Clyde’s car and attempt to answer the question: How many bullet holes were in Bonnie and Clyde’s car?
The Car’s History
Before we dive into the number of bullet holes, let’s take a brief look at the car’s history. The 1934 Ford V8 was stolen in Dallas, Texas, and Bonnie and Clyde, who were already notorious for their bank robberies and murders, used it as their getaway car. The car was equipped with a V8 engine, which gave it a top speed of around 80 miles per hour. The car was also modified with a reinforced chassis and a metal plate covering the backseat, where Bonnie and Clyde would often hide during robberies.
The Final Shootout
On May 23, 1934, Bonnie and Clyde were ambushed by a posse of law enforcement officers, led by Frank Hamer, in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. The ambush was set up after a tip-off from a local resident, who had seen the outlaws’ car parked near a rural road. As the officers approached the car, Bonnie and Clyde opened fire, but they were vastly outnumbered and outgunned.
The Aftermath
After the shootout, the officers approached the car and found Bonnie and Clyde dead, with over 130 bullet holes in the vehicle. The car was later sent to the Texas Ranger Service, where it was extensively examined and documented. The bullet holes were counted and recorded, providing a detailed account of the final shootout.
The Bullet Hole Count
According to the official records, the 1934 Ford V8 had a total of 143 bullet holes. The bullets were fired from a variety of weapons, including.30-06 Springfield rifles,.38 caliber pistols, and a.45 caliber Thompson submachine gun. The bullets were fired from a range of 10 to 50 feet, and some of the holes were quite large, indicating that the bullets had penetrated the metal body of the car.
Types of Bullet Holes
The bullet holes in Bonnie and Clyde’s car were categorized into three types:
- Entrance holes: These were the holes where the bullets entered the car. There were 93 entrance holes, including 34 from rifles, 24 from pistols, and 35 from the Thompson submachine gun.
- Exit holes: These were the holes where the bullets exited the car. There were 31 exit holes, including 12 from rifles, 10 from pistols, and 9 from the Thompson submachine gun.
- Through-and-through holes: These were the holes where the bullets passed through the car without exiting. There were 19 through-and-through holes, including 8 from rifles, 6 from pistols, and 5 from the Thompson submachine gun.
Table: Bullet Hole Count
| Type of Bullet Hole | Number of Holes |
|---|---|
| Entrance Holes | 93 |
| Exit Holes | 31 |
| Through-and-Through Holes | 19 |
| Total Bullet Holes | 143 |
Conclusion
Bonnie and Clyde’s car, a 1934 Ford V8, was riddled with 143 bullet holes after the final shootout on May 23, 1934. The car’s history, combined with the extensive documentation of the bullet holes, provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of these notorious outlaws. The bullet holes serve as a reminder of the violence and tragedy that surrounded Bonnie and Clyde’s lives, and the infamous car remains a symbol of their legendary status in American folklore.
Additional Resources
- "Bonnie and Clyde" by Jeff Guinn (book)
- "The Bonnie and Clyde Collection" at the Texas Ranger Service (archive)
- "The FBI’s Bonnie and Clyde Files" (online archive)
