The FBI’s Most Wanted Custom Car Enthusiasts

In an odd twist of life, I often get correspondence from the incarcerated. It’s been explained to me that prisoners often try to remove the walls of prison by use of their imagination. And this imagination is often sparked by online reading material. Somewhat surprisingly, the Jalopy Journal has been deemed appropriate reading material for these men and has managed to avoid the arbitrary censorship guidelines of the federal prison system for years now.

I would guess that I’ve gotten hundreds of letters through the years – some from infamous convicted murders like Michael Goodwin (scumbag) and others from regular old crooks identified by only an inmate number.

In 2004, I got a letter from a prison in Tennessee that read:

“To Whom It May Concern, I actively collect photographs of the 1955 Chevrolet known as the Aztec. If you would please, I’d appreciate any that you might have. Even if they are photo copies.

Yours,

Bob W.”

I’ve never made a habit of responding to these letters, so I thought nothing of it, folded the letter back in its envelope, and placed it in a file folder where I keep such things. Four months later, he sent another letter:

“To Whom It May Concern, I have yet to receive the photographs of the Aztec that I so desperately desire. If you could find it in your heart, I would appreciate your timliness (sic) and care. Please send photographs. Photos copies will do.

Your’s,

Bob Wilcoxson”

At the time, I didn’t recognize the name and again, didn’t respond. While researching for another project this weekend, I came across the name of Bobby Wilcoxson and the bells started ringing.

***

In 1962, an FBI agent pursuing Bobby Wilcoxson called him “the most wanted man since Dillinger.” See, Bobby was a bank robber. He and his partner, Albert Nassbaum, were responsible for at least one murder and at a very minimum – seven different bank robberies. In fact, it was estimated that the two stole in excess of a quarter million dollars in 1962 money.

They did so by way of distraction. A common tactic the pair used was to set off pipe bombs in various spots throughout a city. While the authorities were busy responding to those bombings, they would then rob their target bank. The tactic worked well and the robberies were both effective and efficient.

But, why was Bobby so interested in the famous Barris built custom that we all know as the Aztec?

The answer is simple… Bobby was the second owner of the Aztec. In 1962, just prior to Bobby’s arrest, both he and Albert were strapped with stolen money. In an effort to get rid of the some of the weight, Bobby approached Bill Carr and bought the Aztec from him. The price? Cash and a stolen get away Pontiac.

Around the same time, Albert Nassbaum was up to the same tricks. He approached Dean Jeffries and bought his famously customized Porsche 356.

So now we have two of the FBI’s most wanted criminals on the run in two of the most famous custom cars of all time. Within weeks, the FBI had interrogated both Bill Carr and Dean Jeffries about the sell of their cars. With the information gained, the feds were able to track each down. The Aztec was stored in Phoenix, Arizona while the Porsche was shipped off to Florida and the home of Albert’s sister. Both cars were stripped apart and searched for evidence.

It’s unclear whether or not that evidence helped in the crew’s apprehension, but both were arrested only months later at separate locations – Albert after a wild 100mph car chase.

***

Now, I realize the story of Bobby and Albert is widely known around these circles. Hell, I’ve written about them before… But, until this past week I had no idea that Bobby tried to correspond with me. He died in 2006 while Albert passed away a decade earlier – both still imprisoned.

Anyway, I thought a few of you might find the letter interesting.

***

But after all that, you know what sort of interests me the most? Whatever became of the “1963 Pontiac” that Bill Carr traded Bobby for? I’ve been over the court documents and everything I can find on the arrests and interviews, but nothing mentions the car’s fate. I did find an evidence release form for the car, but the vin is blacked out with marker and there is no indication of whether or not the car went back to Bill or if it was taken by government.

So, your guess is as good as mine… You gotta think that ole Pontiac would make a rad custom, no?