The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TALE

WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL I HEARD THIS SAME STORY SEVERAL TIMES. THE
MOST DISTINCT VERSION I CAN REMEMBER IS ONE THAT CONCERNED A
YOUNG MAN AND A NEW THUNDERBIRD. HE HAD GONE HUNTING UP NORTH,
HAD FALLEN ASLEEP, WENT OFF THE ROAD AND WAS KILLED. IT WAS
SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THEY FOUND THE CAR WITH THE BODY IN IT, AND
BY THAT TIME THE SMELL WAS UNBEARABLE. THIS ALMOST BRAND NEW
CAR WAS FOR SALE FOR $25 BECAUSE NOTHING COULD REMOVE THE UNBEAR-
ABLE SMELL. OTHER PEOPLE HAD BOUGHT SIMILAR CARS AND EVEN THOUGH
THEY REUPHOLSTER AND FUMIGATE, THE SMELL WAS RIGHT IN THE METAL
AND NOTHING COULD GET IT OUT.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT AND DATE ARE UNKNOWN WITH MUCH ACCURACY BUT IT WAS
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL AND IT WAS IN 1959.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL

Date learned: 00-00-1959