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In crime movies and lore, the getaway cars are almost as famous as the law-breaking, anti-heroes who drive them. Now you can see a few of these famous cars at the Alcatraz East Crime Museum, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where six cars once owned by high-profile, historic criminals of the last century are on display.
"So many people love cars of all types, and when they are featured in an historical event it makes them even more interesting to our visitors," explains Rachael Penman, director of artifacts and exhibits at Alcatraz East Crime Museum. "Guests immediately start sharing their own connections to the cars' stories and it's special to be able to make these artifacts available to the public.
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Of the six cars, two are parked outside for free viewing and the other four are located in the museum's Getaway Cars Gallery. The vehicles include:
1933 Essex Terraplane
This was the car owned by the infamous bank-robber John Dillinger. The car was used to escape the FBI agent pursuing him and girlfriend Evelyn Frechette. The car was signed to his brother after it was crashed in a field. A bullet from the shootout is still in the car today.
1934 Ford V8
The cult-classic film Bonnie and Clyde starring Warren Beatty and Fay Dunaway also starred a 1934 Ford, which the two characters end up dying in at the end of the movie (spoiler alert). The car is riddled with bullet holes made by local police prior to filming.
1968 Volkswagen Beetle
This Bug is ignominious because it belonged to serial killer Ted Bundy and became pivotal in his conviction after key DNA samples were found within it.
1993 Ford Bronco
There's really only one famous Ford Bronco, made as so because OJ Simpson was carted around Los Angeles in the back seat in the most talked about and slowest pursuit of all time.
Government Surveillance Van
If you've ever wondered what it's like to sit in "the van" of your favorite action movie or cop drama, now you can. This surveillance van served both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as a Georgia police department in several drug related investigations and burglary stakeouts.
Sevier County Sheriff's Car
Though not unique among its other company, this retired 2007 Dodge Charger sits parked in front of the museum to serve as an education prop for educational purposes.
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For $25.00 for adults and $15.00 for kids, this detour would make both an entertaining and educational stop for any family vacation. For more information about Alcatraz East's other exhibits and the museum itself head over to AlcatrazEast.com.
