Miss Belvedere Time Capsule

09-05-2025

A fascination with time capsules.

Stories of time capsules always capture attention, especially when they are unearthed after decades. For me, digging one up feels like shaking hands with the past. Yet, not all stories end in triumph. The tale of the Miss Belvedere time capsule stands as both fascinating and tragic, offering lessons in what not to do.

A grand celebration in 1957.

Oklahoma chose to commemorate its 50th anniversary of statehood in 1957 with a bold statement. The organizers selected a brand-new Plymouth Belvedere sport coupe as the centerpiece. Dubbed Miss Belvedere, the car was sealed underground to show future generations the forward-thinking style of 1957 America.

A flawed vault design.

The vault was advertised as strong enough to withstand a nuclear attack. However, it was not airtight. Water slowly seeped in over the decades, destroying much of the car. When Miss Belvedere was unearthed in 2007 during Oklahoma’s centennial, the damage shocked spectators who expected pristine preservation.

Items buried with the car.

Some artifacts survived thanks to protective cases. A case of Schlitz beer, official documents, and even gasoline intended for future use emerged intact. Ironically, the car itself—meant to be the prize—suffered the most damage. This contrast highlights the importance of planning in time capsule design.

Attempts at preservation.

Famed vehicle customizer Boyd Coddington tried to revive Miss Belvedere, but the effort proved impossible. Later, Ultra One, a restoration company, began stabilizing the car using specialized solutions. Their work focused not on a complete restoration but on preserving the vehicle as a historical artifact.

Ownership and future hopes.

The prize was meant for whoever guessed Tulsa’s 2007 population most accurately. The winner, Raymond Humbertson, had passed away by then. His distant relatives inherited the rights but instead allowed preservation experts to continue the work. Discussions even surfaced about placing the vehicle in the Smithsonian. But the Smithsonian didn’t want it and neither did the city of Tulsa. By 2015, after the car had been stabilized, it was accepted by the Historic Auto Attractions Museum in Roscoe, Illinois.  The museum owner, Wayne Lensing, agreed to create a special exhibition for the car, which was shipped to the museum in 2017. It was prepared for its opening on June 9, 2020, and remains there today.

A lasting lesson in preservation.

Today, Miss Belvedere remains a symbol of ambition, hope, and miscalculation. This time capsule reminds us that grand visions require careful planning, and this serves as a reminder to all that any future projects you undertake must be meticulously planned, considering all possible outcomes in advance. For those fascinated by history, the Miss Belvedere time capsule stands as both an inspiration and a warning.

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