Clyde Barrow and his lover and partner-in-crime, Bonnie Parker, are infamous for their two-year spree which ran across the central United States and started in 1932. That ‘spree’ included at least a dozen bank robberies and numerous raids on small stores and rural gas stations. Bonnie, Clyde and their gang are believed to have killed at least nine police officers and several civilians during this period.

During 1932, 1933 and the early part of 1934, they evaded capture and many people believe that two of the reasons for their continued ‘freedom’ were Clyde’s skill as a driver and the cars he drove. 

Clyde’s car of choice was the Ford V-8. 

It offered both the speed and comfort they wanted. The V-8’s over-head valve engine helped Clyde out-manoeuvre and out-run many of the less powerful police cars that attempted to follow him. Additionally, living a life on the run meant that Clyde and Bonnie spent days and even weeks at a time in their car, often sleeping in them at night so the extra comfort was equally appreciated.  

Clyde was certainly a fan and on April 10th he put pen to paper and wrote a letter to Henry Ford. It read:

Tulsa Okla 

10th April

 Mr. Henry Ford

 Detroit Mich

 Dear Sir: – 

While I still have got breath in my lungs I will tell you what a dandy car you make. I have drove Fords exclusively when I could get away with one. For sustained speed and freedom from trouble the Ford has got ever other car skinned and even if my business hasn’t been strictly legal it don’t hurt anything to tell you what a fine car you got in the V8 – 

 Yours truly,

 Clyde Champion Barrow

The letter arrived Henry Ford’s office on April 13th where it was stamped “RECEIVED” by his Secretary’s Office

Just over a month later, on May 23th, the notorious couple were ambushed by State troopers and local police at Bienville Parish, Louisiana and died in a hail of over 100 bullets.

The car they were driving was a stolen Ford V8.

The letter is on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.