If you’re asking where is Jayne Mansfield car, you’re not alone. The wrecked 1966 Buick Electra in which Jayne Mansfield died is preserved in a private collection. This fact is the simple answer, but the full story is a complex journey through tragedy, preservation, and macabre fascination.
This article provides a clear guide to the vehicle’s location and history. We’ll cover its current status, the infamous accident, and the myths that still surround it today.
Where Is Jayne Mansfield Car
The primary answer is straightforward. The 1966 Buick Electra 225 convertible is owned by the Volo Auto Museum in Volo, Illinois. However, it is not on public display. The car is kept in secure, private storage on the museum’s premises. The museum has stated it remains in their collection but is not part of their exhibit rotation.
This decision is based on respect and the car’s grim history. They consider it a piece of historical evidence rather than a spectacle. Occasional, controlled viewings for researchers or documentary crews have been permitted, but the general public cannot see it.
The Current Home: Volo Auto Museum
The Volo Auto Museum is known for its extensive collection of classic, Hollywood, and rare cars. They acquired the Buick in the early 1990s. Their approach has been one of preservation, not exploitation.
Key facts about the museum and its stewardship:
- The museum is located at 27582 Volo Village Rd, Volo, IL 60073.
- They specialize in movie cars, including vehicles from “Ghostbusters” and “Back to the Future.”
- Their acquisition of the Mansfield Buick was to ensure it was preserved responsibly.
- They have consistently refused to restore the car, maintaining it exactly as it was after the crash.
Why Is The Car Not On Display?
The reasons are both ethical and practical. The accident was a horrific event that resulted in three fatalities. Displaying the mangled car could be seen as disrespectful to the victims’ memories. Furthermore, the vehicle is a stark reminder of a pre-safety era in automotive design.
From a practical standpoint, the car is a fragile relic. Exposure to light, humidity, and handling would accelerate its decay. Keeping it in a controlled storage environment is the best way to ensure it survives as a historical artifact.
Preservation Versus Restoration
The Volo Museum has made a conscious choice to preserve, not restore, the Buick. This means they stabilize the vehicle to prevent further deterioration. They do not repaint it, straighten its twisted frame, or replace its shattered glass. This approach maintains its historical integrity, allowing it to tell the true story of the crash’s violence.
The Night Of The Accident: June 29, 1967
To understand the car’s significance, you must understand the accident. Jayne Mansfield was traveling from Biloxi, Mississippi, to New Orleans, Louisiana. She was in the front seat, alongside her boyfriend, Samuel S. Brody. Their three children—Mickey, Zoltan, and Mariska Hargitay—were asleep in the back seat.
Their Buick Electra 225 approached a section of US Route 90 that was being fogged with mosquito spray. The truck spraying the insecticide was barely visible. The Buick slammed into the back of the truck at high speed.
The Immediate Aftermath
The impact was catastrophic. The design of the Buick, like many cars of its time, offered little in terms of crumple zones or passenger protection. The car went under the truck’s rear, and its low-slung roof was sheared off in what is termed a “partial decapitation” of the vehicle.
- Jayne Mansfield, Samuel Brody, and the driver, Ronnie Harrison, were killed instantly.
- Miraculously, the three children in the back seat survived with minor injuries.
- The scene was gruesome, leading to immediate and lasting media sensationalism.
Debunking The Mansfield Decapitation Myth
One of the most persistent and incorrect myths is that Jayne Mansfield was decapitated. This is false. The official coroner’s report and witness statements confirm she suffered severe head trauma, but was not decapitated. The myth likely stemmed from the grisly appearance of the accident scene and the fact that a blonde wig was found on the roadway.
This myth became so widespread it indirectly led to a new safety feature. The “Mansfield Bar” is the metal barrier installed on the rear of large trucks to prevent cars from sliding underneath. Its official name is the “ICC bar,” but the urban legend fueled its popular nickname.
The Car’s Journey After The Crash
The Buick’s path from a wrecked vehicle to a privately held artifact is a strange one. After police completed their investigation, the car was sold as salvage. It passed through several hands, often as a morbid curiosity piece for car shows and haunted house attractions in the South.
Its ownership timeline includes:
- Initial salvage sale to a junkyard in Louisiana.
- Purchase by a promoter who toured it as a macabre exhibit.
- Acquisition by a private collector in the 1970s.
- Final purchase by the Volo Auto Museum in the early 1990s, where it has remained since.
Could The Car Ever Be Publicly Displayed?
This is a question the Volo Museum likely considers carefully. Public interest remains high, but the ethical considerations are significant. If it were ever displayed, it would require immense contextualization. It would need to be presented not as a celebrity oddity, but as a sobering lesson in automotive safety history.
Any future display would probable be a temporary, special exhibition with clear educational framing. A permanent public exhibit seems unlikely given the museum’s longstanding, respectful policy.
How To Respectfully Engage With This History
If you are researching this topic, it’s important to focus on the facts. The car is a tangible link to a tragic event that ended lives and changed others forever. Mariska Hargitay, who was a toddler in the back seat, has spoken about the profound impact of losing her mother.
When discussing the car, consider these points:
- Center the historical facts over sensational myths.
- Acknowledge the victims—Jayne Mansfield, Samuel Brody, and Ronnie Harrison.
- Recognize the survival of the children as the central miracle of the event.
- Understand the car’s role in prompting important vehicle safety discussions.
Other Artifacts And Locations Of Interest
While the car itself is in Illinois, other locations are connected to Jayne Mansfield’s story. Her grave is in the Fairview Cemetery in Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania. Her famous “Pink Palace” mansion in Los Angeles was demolished, but the pink tiles from her swimming pool were saved and are sometimes sold as memorabilia.
For true crime or Hollywood history enthusiasts, these sites offer a way to connect with the story without focusing solely on the accident vehicle.
The Safety Legacy
The most significant outcome of this tragedy, beyond the personal loss, was its contribution to automotive safety awareness. The Mansfield Bar, despite its inaccurately named origin, has undoubtably saved lives. The accident highlighted the lethal danger of underride collisions, leading to improved truck design standards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you visit the Jayne Mansfield car?
No, you cannot. The 1966 Buick Electra is stored in a private, secure facility at the Volo Auto Museum in Illinois and is not part of the public tour.
What happened to Jayne Mansfield’s children in the crash?
Her three children—Mickey, Zoltan, and Mariska—were in the back seat and all survived the collision with only minor injuries. They were protected by the sturdier rear compartment of the vehicle.
Is the car for sale?
There is no indication the Volo Auto Museum intends to sell the car. They have owned it for decades and view it as a historical artifact for preservation, not a commercial asset.
Why is it called the “death car”?
It is a macabre nickname used in popular culture due to the fatal nature of the accident. This term is considered insensitive by many, and more neutral terms like “the Mansfield Buick” or “the accident vehicle” are often preferred.
Are there photos of the car after the crash?
Yes, graphic photos from the accident scene were published in newspapers at the time and have circulated since. They are widely available online but are extremely distressing to view.
In conclusion, the answer to “where is Jayne Mansfield car” leads to a private vault in Illinois. Its journey from a luxury convertible to a preserved wreck is intertwined with tragedy, myth, and a lasting impact on safety. While public curiosity is understandable, its current, respectful seclusion seems a fitting chapter for an object that tells such a difficult story. The car remains a silent, powerful testament to a moment that changed lives and, in a small way, made future roads slightly safer for everyone.