But, alas, despite dozens one-of-a-kind vehicles of every size, shape and year, none of the 4,000 or so Amphicars are on hand to make “Miss Belvedere” feel even more at home.
The "Sanford and Son" half-ton
As for “Miss Belvedere’s” new digs, a lit exit door and a brick wall behind her offer little means of egress. But, if somehow she developed a mind of her own à la “Christine,” the 1958 Plymouth Fury starring in Stephen King’s thriller of the same name (Lensing’s working on nabbing her one day), and “Miss Belvedere” decided to blow this joint and get her kicks on Route 66, she’d first crash through a cabinet filled with the signatures of former presidential first ladies, then plow smack-dab into the back of the Donald Trump’s 2008 Lincoln presidential campaign limo. Then, having rejuvenated herself, sail past the half-ton pickup truck from “Sanford and Son” and on her merry way to the “Mother Road,” which wends through Illinois.
And, if any unfortunate museum goers happened to be in Miss Belvedere’s path in the midst of her apoplectic fit, the 4077 M*A*S*H unit is right around the corner to treat them, and the 1962 Ford ambulance that transported Lee Harvey Oswald to the hospital after he was shot by Jack Ruby could give them a lift to the nearest medical center.

The Plans of Mice and Men

“For the two years I had ‘Miss Belvedere’ in storage, I can’t tell you how many people contacted me, not only from the local area and this country, but all over the world,” Lensing said. “They’d call or e-mail me all the time, asking about her. ‘We’d love to see her; how’s she doing?’ they’d say. ‘We’ve been waiting all these years, do you think she’ll be on display soon?’ They wanted to know. ‘Do you think I could borrow her for my son’s Bar Mitzvah? He’s really into cars....’
“People from as far away as Australia and New Zealand wanted to know what the story was,” Lensing said, his exasperation still evident. “And the truth is, I didn’t want to put her on display until I could do her justice... and I just didn’t have a place to put her.”
Last year, Lensing finally caved.
“I just had to get her out of storage and into the museum. For the good of everyone, including myself!” he chuckled.
Although “Miss Belvedere” is now in a space that’s slightly bigger than the 12 ft. x 20 ft. tomb in which she was mired for a half-century, Lensing is quick to assure that things will be just fine for the classy old gal. “Don’t worry,” he says, “in the new building, ‘Miss Belvedere’ will have triple the space and people will be able to view her from all sides, along with her story and original pictures.”
In addition to the images, a television plays a documentary of the car.

Long in the Tooth?

While some skeptics might think that “Miss Belvedere” has had her day in the sun after a very dark past, and interest in her has faded (much like her paint job) over the 14 years since she was unearthed, we kindly direct you to YouTube. Just search “THIS NEW CAR WAS LYING UNDERGROUND 50 YEARS.” And please note the 21 million views.

*Sanford Miles is a Florida-based writer who’s putting the finishing touches on his historical novel, The Buried Plymouth – A Story Unearthed in Tulsa. In his story, there’s something a bit more relevant planted in the car than a case of Schlitz in the trunk and a lady’s purse with $2.73 in the glove compartment. And, it’s a lot more valuable, too — if it’s survived. He can be reached at nutsboy144@aol.com if you have a tale to tell regarding The Buried Plymouth.

Check out Miss Belvedere over the years

https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/t...of-57-plymouth

https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/t...miss-belvedere

https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/t...ine-once-again