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Cars
Nov 25, 2016 23:01:42 GMT -8
Post by Ricardo on Nov 25, 2016 23:01:42 GMT -8
If there are two pastimes that Zodiac enjoyed the most,they are his Library habituation and his passion for Motorcars and motoring. In his letters,Zodiac alludes to his automobile predilection,almost constantly - as both a ''petrolhead''[...one who likes to use a car,at the exclusion of any other means of transport..],and as a ''motorhead''[...one who likes to tinker with engines in a garage or makeshift workshop...]. Expressions employed,such as ''peeled rubber'',which originates from the sport of Drag Racing,and ''cruzeing [sic] prowl cars'',in reference to traffic cops,indicate that Zodiac held no secret of his ''car mania''. Zodiac may also have been influenced in his puzzles.In his Halloween card to Paul Avery,a symbol,believed to have been a personal interpretation of a Fred Harmon Cattle brand,appears to contain headlights.And the presumed cryptogram ''4-TEEN'' translates,by the Bell conversion table [..found on all land line phones..],to 48336 - which is the Zip code for Oakland County,Michigan,where all the wealthy car executives and designers reside.In addition,the ''By Fire'' expression,may well refer to his ''Chariot of Fire'' and motor car - a ''nod'' to the Hymn and poem,Jerusalem,by William Blake. All the serious crimes,for which Zodiac is ''wanted'' involve motorcars at the forefront of ''proceedings''.Even with the Paul Stine murder,there is a suspicion that police are not convinced of Zodiac's claim to have remained in the vicinity,and therefore had made a ''swifty'' getaway. ''Library habituator'' and motorway ''Speed freak'' - not the sort of combination,that most people would find sitting ''side by side'',readily [?]. You make good points about how the Zodiac killer alludes to his automobile predilection. According to witnesses, a 1947-1952 tan-gray Studebaker with oxidized paint was parked at Riverside City College (RCC) on October 30, 1966. This may or may not have been a car driven by the Zodiac killer.
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Cars
Nov 28, 2016 12:24:55 GMT -8
Post by Rubislaw32 on Nov 28, 2016 12:24:55 GMT -8
When Zodiac investigator and ex-cop,Lyndon Lafferty,came to his personal conclusion,that a man named William Grant was The Zodiac Killer,Lafferty's investigations laid much emphasis on Grant's motorcar ownership.
William Grant appeared to own many cars - but not as collector - he just seemed to ''change out'' his cars on a regular basis.Lafferty's inclination was,that as has been proffered,in the case of Zodiac,a different car was used for each major crime,and Lafferty attempted to ''match up'' these crimes,with Grant's car,at that time.
It was a difficult task,since it seems that the police themselves,were never quite sure,though were able to narrow an identification down,to perhaps,a few models.
If we accept that William Grant was not Zodiac,there is nevertheless,some ''evidence'',that Zodiac might have copied Grant's car ownership habits.There is evidence,held by Law Enforcement,and known by Lafferty,that a man [presumed] unknown,made attempts to obtain a drivers licence in Grant's name.So,the possibility of Zodiac
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Cars
Nov 28, 2016 12:46:28 GMT -8
Post by Rubislaw32 on Nov 28, 2016 12:46:28 GMT -8
....[continued].....using Grant,as an ''object of blame'' for certain crimes,is not beyond unrealistic realms.
As someone not overly interested in motorcars,I have nevertheless had much opportunity to observe these ''petrolheads''at close quarters,and some of their motorcar ''habits'',are quite surprising.
One in particular,is that some ''petrolheads'' have a fascination for continually trying out different cars - all the time !
It seems like quite an expensive occupation to most people....but their predominant motorcar ''angle'',is to always have a hired car.So,sometimes,they are literally changing out their cars every month.....or even,every week !
One presumes that this habit is akin to ''a kid in a candy shop''.This way,they get to try out all sorts of cars for,in effect,extended test drives.
So,perhaps this sort of ''petrolhead habit'' was for Zodiac,''right up his street'' [?].
Looking back on the case,1968-1974,one wonders if Law Enforcement paid enough attention to ''car hire'',as opposed to ''car ownership'' [?].
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Cars
Jan 2, 2017 14:20:24 GMT -8
Post by Ricardo on Jan 2, 2017 14:20:24 GMT -8
According to the police reports, there were blue cars seen at Lake Herman Road on December 20, 1968.
There was a witness who saw “a blue car, possibly a Valiant, coming down the road from Benicia towards Vallejo” (on Lake Herman Road) between 9:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on December 20, 1968.
blue 1968 Plymouth Valiant
There was another witness who said “a Olds, 2-door H.T. 88 (Don) blue in color and a 63 Chevrolet, Impala, Blue with two persons in it turned off of Lake Herman Road onto Columbus Parkway heading in the direction of Blue Rock Springs” around 10:30 p.m. on December 20, 1968.
blue 1968 Oldsmobile Hard Top 88
blue 1963 Chevrolet Impala
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Cars
Jan 2, 2017 15:10:09 GMT -8
Post by Ricardo on Jan 2, 2017 15:10:09 GMT -8
Furthermore according to the police reports, there was a white Chevrolet Impala seen at Lake Herman Road on December 20, 1968.
Two witnesses saw “a white 4-door hardtop, a ’59 or ’60 Impala, was parked there” (by the gate at the Benicia Pumping Station on Lake Herman Road) around 9:00 p.m. on December 20, 1968.
Another witness saw “a White Chevrolet, Impala Sedan, parked by the South fence of the entrance to the pumping station” around 10:00 p.m. on December 20, 1968.
white 1959 Chevrolet Impala Hard Top 4-Door
white 1960 Chevrolet Impala Hard Top 4-Door
Was the Zodiac killer driving a white Chevrolet Impala on December 20, 1968?
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Cars
Jan 5, 2017 8:00:38 GMT -8
Post by Rubislaw32 on Jan 5, 2017 8:00:38 GMT -8
As a general observation,it can be a ''no win'' rumination on specific models of cars,that were involved in specific Zodiac crimes.
Reading through police reports,can certainly narrow the possibilities down,but never with a fair degree of confidence.Apart from,perhaps,Lake Berryessa,where it does seem likely that Zodiac was the driver of ''one'' of two different makes of a silver blue ''something'' [?].
''No accident'' perhaps,that Lake Berryessa,was the one in four major ''highlighted'' crimes,that took place in broad daylight.
From a general viewpoint,Zodiac must have been aware that the car that he would be driving,could lead investigators to him.So,what steps would he have taken,to minimize this ?
The conclusion that I keep coming up with is,that Zodiac was never the official owner of any of the cars.He would hire a car from somewhere,a far distance away - like ''out of State'',and then change the number plates,for the duration of the car's hire.
While using these cars,Zodiac just had to make sure that he wasn't stopped by the cops,for something ''serious''.That constituted the main risk in ''car impersonation'',that Zodiac ever took.And,being the confident driver that he was,believed in himself to be able to avoid the cops.
This,again,suggests that Zodiac,essentially had two homes.....San Francisco vicinity,and A.N.Other.
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Cars
Jan 7, 2017 12:46:55 GMT -8
Post by Rubislaw32 on Jan 7, 2017 12:46:55 GMT -8
Was the ''Death Machine'',and accessory ''tools'',that Zodiac talked about,in reference to a bomb,really a celebration of his Motorcar,equipped with murder weapons ?
On October 13th,Zodiac mailed the SF Chronicle,a letter and shirt swatch,with regard to the Paul Stine murder.He ended,by mentioning that he intended to shoot out the tyres of a School Bus,and pick off the children,inside.
On November 8th,his celebration of the Paul Stine murder was evident,but succinct.The ''340'' cipher was enclosed,to further his self styled ''enigmatic joker'' image.
A day later,emerged the ''long winded'' Bus Bomb Letter.Over six pages,Zodiac covered a number of topics.Zodiac was going to change his ways of ''collecting slaves''.He taunted the police over,what he claimed to witness as,laughable conduct by them,in the wake of Paul Stine's murder.And then,proceeded to go into protracted detail,over a home made bomb,that was designed to take out a ''Buss''.
This bomb,he referred to as the ''Death Machine''.
Well,the cops were never convinced that Zodiac had been present,in the wake of Paul Stine's murder,anyway.Further to this,Bomb experts and Electical engineers were not convinced that Zodiac's bomb claims,would have worked.
But,Law Enforcement had to take Zodiac seriously.He had,after all,actually murdered people.What worried them most of all,was the inference,or suggestion,that children might be the next targets.And looking back on those three letters,in sequence,one can see why.Zodiac had dropped the hint of children as victims,in that October 13th letter....then,effectively,picked up on it ''suggestively'',in mentioning the word ''Bus'' again,in his Bus Bomb Letter.
In that Bus Bomb Letter,the ''Death Machine'' had been tried and tested,and was hidden away in his basement,along with accessory tools.Hardly an accurate description of a bomb,and its ingredients [?].
I would suggest that the Bus Bomb Letter,was ''horse sh*t'',from start to finish.But the genuine ''relishment'' for Zodiac,was the car and weapons,all prepared,and stored away in his garage.
In that letter,Zodiac had talked about one item ''bought en'' in from ''Out of State''.''Boughten'' is a rarely used word of New England,19th Century origin - meaning acquired from a store,as opposed to hand made.Did Zodiac actually mean ''Brought in'' - and in reference,to the car he would use,for further murders [?].
That Bus Bomb Letter,was actually about ''buying in'' to people's worst nightmare of all - that their children should be vulnerable,and might be taken away from them.
The ''Pied Piper of Hamelin'',all over again [?].
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Cars
Jan 8, 2017 5:03:03 GMT -8
Post by Ricardo on Jan 8, 2017 5:03:03 GMT -8
Was the ''Death Machine'',and accessory ''tools'',that Zodiac talked about,in reference to a bomb,really a celebration of his Motorcar,equipped with murder weapons ? On October 13th,Zodiac mailed the SF Chronicle,a letter and shirt swatch,with regard to the Paul Stine murder.He ended,by mentioning that he intended to shoot out the tyres of a School Bus,and pick off the children,inside. On November 8th,his celebration of the Paul Stine murder was evident,but succinct.The ''340'' cipher was enclosed,to further his self styled ''enigmatic joker'' image. A day later,emerged the ''long winded'' Bus Bomb Letter.Over six pages,Zodiac covered a number of topics.Zodiac was going to change his ways of ''collecting slaves''.He taunted the police over,what he claimed to witness as,laughable conduct by them,in the wake of Paul Stine's murder.And then,proceeded to go into protracted detail,over a home made bomb,that was designed to take out a ''Buss''. This bomb,he referred to as the ''Death Machine''. Well,the cops were never convinced that Zodiac had been present,in the wake of Paul Stine's murder,anyway.Further to this,Bomb experts and Electical engineers were not convinced that Zodiac's bomb claims,would have worked. But,Law Enforcement had to take Zodiac seriously.He had,after all,actually murdered people.What worried them most of all,was the inference,or suggestion,that children might be the next targets.And looking back on those three letters,in sequence,one can see why.Zodiac had dropped the hint of children as victims,in that October 13th letter....then,effectively,picked up on it ''suggestively'',in mentioning the word ''Bus'' again,in his Bus Bomb Letter. In that Bus Bomb Letter,the ''Death Machine'' had been tried and tested,and was hidden away in his basement,along with accessory tools.Hardly an accurate description of a bomb,and its ingredients [?]. I would suggest that the Bus Bomb Letter,was ''horse sh*t'',from start to finish.But the genuine ''relishment'' for Zodiac,was the car and weapons,all prepared,and stored away in his garage. In that letter,Zodiac had talked about one item ''bought en'' in from ''Out of State''.''Boughten'' is a rarely used word of New England,19th Century origin - meaning acquired from a store,as opposed to hand made.Did Zodiac actually mean ''Brought in'' - and in reference,to the car he would use,for further murders [?]. That Bus Bomb Letter,was actually about ''buying in'' to people's worst nightmare of all - that their children should be vulnerable,and might be taken away from them. The ''Pied Piper of Hamelin'',all over again [?]. Your comments about the “death machine” ties in with the 1987 letter. There are still questions about the 1987 letter which was not confirmed to have been sent by the Zodiac killer. The 1987 letter includes a threat involving the death machine. “Tell the blue pigs if want me will be driving around on Halloween in my death machine looking for some kiddies to run over Cars make nice weapons.” “Just like in the movie The car.”
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Cars
Jan 8, 2017 6:42:05 GMT -8
Post by Rubislaw32 on Jan 8, 2017 6:42:05 GMT -8
That is an excellent ''spot'',Ricardo !
The ''Death Machine'' c/w ''tools'',just didn't ring true with ''Bomb'' c/w ''ingredients'' [?].
''Death Machine'' c/w ''tools'',equates to ''Murder Car'' c/w ''murder weapons'' .
And,on the basis of ''The 1987 Letter'' being authentic,suggests that Zodiac kept his ''Car and weapons'',for the purpose of ''death'',in his garage.
No doubt,using a ''day to day'' car,registered in his real name,parked out front of his property [?].
It has been proffered in the past,that Zodiac drove up to Darlene Ferrin and Mike Mageau,a ''first time'' - then left,and returned,some minutes later.
Perhaps,Zodiac's ''second visit'',was this time,in his ''Death Machine'' [?].Further to this,the possibility that Zodiac resided close to,where he murdered Darlene [?].
In addition,that the ''Death Machine'' connection between The Bus Bomb Letter,and ''The 1987 Letter'',adds credulity to the authenticity of that ''1987 Letter''.
Two correspondences,18 years apart.
''Cars make nice weapons'' - Indeed !
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Cars
Jan 8, 2017 7:02:27 GMT -8
Post by Rubislaw32 on Jan 8, 2017 7:02:27 GMT -8
It should,perhaps,be mentioned that ''then retired'' handwriting expert,Sherwood Morrill,was quite open in expressing an opinion,that The 1987 Letter was ''Zodiac Authentic''.
Unauthenticated letters,such as The 1987 Letter,had pointed to an accusation of fraud against Detective Toschi.
Morrill publicly disclaimed the accusations against Toschi,and supported the detective's integrity.
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Cars
Jan 9, 2017 9:38:53 GMT -8
Post by Rubislaw32 on Jan 9, 2017 9:38:53 GMT -8
The 1987 Letter does appear to show similar handwriting to a letter the previous year - and to a letter sent in July 1978 - the same month of Brenda Page's murder,and which ended ''I am now in control of all things''.
Those three letters,together with the Channel 9 Letter of May 1978,used postage stamps from the same issue series - as if lifted from one stamp collection.
As a general comment,in all of the letters,there were certain ''key'' and familiar words,relating back to his 1969/1970 batch of ''authenticated'' letters.
These ''key'' words included : ''Blue pigs'',''Halloween'',''Kiddies''.....and ''Death machine''.
It does seem to me that ''Death machine'',as related to the Bus Bomb Letter,is the only example of ''contradiction'' in representation.
In 1969,Zodiac is selling us the idea of ''Death machine'',representing a bomb.
In 1987,a ''Zodiac'' is selling us the idea of ''Death machine'',representing a car.
One might have thought that a hoaxer or forger,in later years,would have ''stuck to script'' [?].
That a hoaxer or forger,would have paid attention to ''continuity'',in order to be believed [?].
The Bus Bomb letter,seems evident to be ambiguous,in that description of Bomb and ingredients are not accurate [ Death machine and tools ].
And yet Zodiac ''carries off'' the ''disparity'' with confidence,in that Bus Bomb Letter - probably because he was confident of having a potent weapon [ a car] - even if it was not the one that he was describing [ a bomb].
Perhaps,18 years later,Zodiac had forgotten that he had originally ''sold the idea'' of having a bomb,as referring to it as a ''Death machine'' - and ''now'',in 1987,he is calling his car,the ''Death machine'' [?].
An expression,Zodiac always had in his mind,for the car.
''Forgetful Zodiac'',or ''Phony Zodiac'' ?
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