Digest

This episode of Lore delves into the fascinating and often frightening world of vehicles and the legends that surround them. The episode begins with the ancient Greek myth of Phaeton, who recklessly drove the sun chariot, causing chaos and ultimately leading to his death. This myth serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and hubris, and its influence can be seen in the naming of various vehicles throughout history. The episode then explores various transportation-based demons and superstitions from different cultures, highlighting the fear and fascination surrounding vehicles and their potential for danger. From the Japanese Obo Rugurama, a transparent ox cart with a grotesque face, to the Jewish Agrat Botmalat, who floats in an airborne chariot and dances on rooftops, these stories reveal the deep-seated anxieties associated with travel and the unknown. The episode continues by examining the legend of Lady Howard of Tabestock, a wealthy woman accused of murdering her husbands. After her death, rumors emerged of a ghostly carriage driven by her dead husbands, haunting her former home, Fits House. This story highlights the transition from chariots to horse-drawn carriages and the emergence of new superstitions surrounding these vehicles. The episode then explores the legend of the Silver Arrow, a series of unpainted aluminum train cars in the Stockholm Metro, rumored to be haunted and linked to disappearances. The cars were left unpainted in an attempt to cut costs, giving them an eerie appearance and fueling the rumors of their ghostly nature. The episode also focuses on the Ford V8 automobile in which Bonnie and Clyde were killed, known as the "Ghost Car." The car became a macabre souvenir, toured as a side-show attraction, and is now on display in a casino. The episode explores the eerie feeling associated with the car and the public's fascination with the infamous outlaws. The episode then examines the 1961 Lincoln 74A convertible in which President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Despite its historical significance, the car was kept in service by the White House and is now on display at the Henry Ford Museum. The episode explores the rumors of the car being haunted by JFK's ghost. The episode also delves into the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the car in which he died. The episode explores various urban legends surrounding the car, including claims of a curse and numerous deaths associated with it. It ultimately reveals that most of these stories are false, but the car's license plate number, "A 11 11 18," is a real historical detail. Finally, the episode focuses on the Porsche 550 Spider, nicknamed "The Little Bastard," that James Dean was driving when he died in a car accident. The episode explores the various legends surrounding the car, including claims of a curse and numerous accidents associated with it. It also discusses the tragic circumstances of Dean's death and his final interview, where he expressed his preference for racing on the track over driving on the highway. The episode concludes with the true story of the Lady Be Good, a B-24D bomber that vanished during World War II. The episode details the discovery of the plane's wreckage and the crew's remains in the Libyan desert, revealing their tragic fate. It also explores the legends surrounding the plane's parts, which were salvaged and used in other aircraft, and the reports of ghostly activity associated with them.

Outlines

00:00:00

Vehicles and Legends: A Journey Through History

This episode of Lore explores the eerie history of vehicles, from ancient Greek myths to modern-day legends, uncovering the stories behind haunted cars, trains, and planes. The episode begins with the ancient Greek myth of Phaeton, who recklessly drove the sun chariot, causing chaos and ultimately leading to his death. This myth serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and hubris, and its influence can be seen in the naming of various vehicles throughout history. The episode then explores various transportation-based demons and superstitions from different cultures, highlighting the fear and fascination surrounding vehicles and their potential for danger.

00:04:37

Haunted Vehicles: From Chariots to Cars

The episode continues by examining the legend of Lady Howard of Tabestock, a wealthy woman accused of murdering her husbands. After her death, rumors emerged of a ghostly carriage driven by her dead husbands, haunting her former home, Fits House. This story highlights the transition from chariots to horse-drawn carriages and the emergence of new superstitions surrounding these vehicles. The episode then explores the legend of the Silver Arrow, a series of unpainted aluminum train cars in the Stockholm Metro, rumored to be haunted and linked to disappearances. The cars were left unpainted in an attempt to cut costs, giving them an eerie appearance and fueling the rumors of their ghostly nature.

00:09:23

Infamous Vehicles and Their Ghosts

The episode also focuses on the Ford V8 automobile in which Bonnie and Clyde were killed, known as the "Ghost Car." The car became a macabre souvenir, toured as a side-show attraction, and is now on display in a casino. The episode explores the eerie feeling associated with the car and the public's fascination with the infamous outlaws. The episode then examines the 1961 Lincoln 74A convertible in which President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Despite its historical significance, the car was kept in service by the White House and is now on display at the Henry Ford Museum. The episode explores the rumors of the car being haunted by JFK's ghost.

00:15:45

Cursed Vehicles and Their Legacies

The episode also delves into the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the car in which he died. The episode explores various urban legends surrounding the car, including claims of a curse and numerous deaths associated with it. It ultimately reveals that most of these stories are false, but the car's license plate number, "A 11 11 18," is a real historical detail. Finally, the episode focuses on the Porsche 550 Spider, nicknamed "The Little Bastard," that James Dean was driving when he died in a car accident. The episode explores the various legends surrounding the car, including claims of a curse and numerous accidents associated with it. It also discusses the tragic circumstances of Dean's death and his final interview, where he expressed his preference for racing on the track over driving on the highway. The episode concludes with the true story of the Lady Be Good, a B-24D bomber that vanished during World War II. The episode details the discovery of the plane's wreckage and the crew's remains in the Libyan desert, revealing their tragic fate. It also explores the legends surrounding the plane's parts, which were salvaged and used in other aircraft, and the reports of ghostly activity associated with them.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the ancient Greek myth of Phaeton and how does it relate to vehicles?

  Phaeton, son of Helios, begged his father to let him drive the sun chariot for a day. His reckless driving caused chaos and led to his death. The myth is connected to the naming of various vehicles throughout history, highlighting the enduring impact of this tale.

• What are some examples of transportation-based demons and superstitions from different cultures?

  The Japanese Obo Rugurama, a transparent ox cart with a grotesque face, and the Jewish Agrat Botmalat, who floats in an airborne chariot and dances on rooftops, are examples of transportation-based demons. These stories highlight the fear and fascination surrounding vehicles and their potential for danger.

• What is the legend of Lady Howard of Tabestock and her ghostly carriage?

  Lady Howard was accused of murdering her husbands. After her death, rumors emerged of a ghostly carriage driven by her dead husbands, haunting her former home, Fits House. This story highlights the transition from chariots to horse-drawn carriages and the emergence of new superstitions.

• What is the story of the Silver Arrow and the rumors surrounding it?

  The Silver Arrow was a series of unpainted aluminum train cars in the Stockholm Metro, rumored to be haunted and linked to disappearances. The cars were left unpainted in an attempt to cut costs, giving them an eerie appearance.

• What is the story of Bonnie and Clyde's death car and why is it considered haunted?

  The Ford V8 automobile in which Bonnie and Clyde were killed became known as the "Ghost Car." It was toured as a side-show attraction and is now on display in a casino. The car is said to be haunted by the outlaws' spirits.

• What is the legend of James Dean's Porsche 550 Spider, nicknamed "The Little Bastard"?

  The Porsche 550 Spider, nicknamed "The Little Bastard," was the car James Dean was driving when he died in a car accident. The car is said to be cursed, with numerous accidents and tragedies associated with it.

• What is the story of the Lady Be Good and the legends surrounding its parts?

  A B-24D bomber that vanished during World War II, the Lady Be Good was discovered in the Libyan desert with the remains of its crew. The plane's parts were salvaged and used in other aircraft, which were also plagued by accidents. The plane and its parts are said to be haunted by the crew's ghosts.

Show Notes