Cursed cars have been a part of folklore for decades, with tales of vehicles bringing misfortune and death to their owners. These legends often involve cars that were involved in fatal accidents or were used in criminal activities. The idea that a car could be cursed can be traced back to the belief in the supernatural and the power of evil. Some people believe that the negative energy from a traumatic event can linger within the car and bring misfortune to whoever possesses it.
Over the years, many tales of cursed cars have been passed down through generations, each with its own unique and sometimes chilling details. Some cars have become infamous for their association with death and disaster, while others have been said to bring bad luck simply by being near them.
Despite the superstitions surrounding cursed cars, many people remain skeptical of their existence. They argue that the accidents and misfortunes associated with these vehicles are simply the result of coincidence or human error. However, for those who believe in the power of curses, the stories of these cars are a cautionary tale, reminding them to be mindful of the past and the forces that may be lurking in their vehicles.
Regardless of whether you believe in the idea of cursed cars, these stories continue to capture the imagination and provide a source of fascination for people of all ages. Whether viewed as a cautionary tale or a simple piece of folklore, the stories of cursed cars are sure to captivate and intrigue for generations to come.
One such car was a car from Sarajevo one hundred years ago.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, accompanied by his beautiful wife, Princess Hohengurgh, visited the small Bosnian city of Sarajevo and desired to make a grand impression with his mode of transportation. Despite the rising political tensions in Europe, the couple arrived on June 28th, 1914 in a flashy, red open-top car. Tragically, the vehicle proved to be an easy target for a fanatic with a pistol who fired several shots at the couple, igniting the First World War and claiming over 20 million lives.
After the armistice, the governor of Yugoslavia had the car used in the assassination fully repaired. However, after experiencing four accidents and losing half of his arm, he considered destroying the vehicle.
His friend, Dr. Srikis, convinced him otherwise and purchased the car. Disregarding the belief that the car was cursed, Dr. Srikis happily drove it for six months until it overturned on the highway, resulting in his death.
The following owner of the car was a physician, but as his patients became wary of the car’s superstitious reputation, he quickly sold it to a Swiss race car driver. Tragically, during a race in the Dolomites, the driver was ejected from the vehicle and died from a broken neck after hitting a rock.
The car was then acquired by a wealthy farmer, but its unlucky streak continued. One day, the car broke down and as it was being towed to a mechanic, the tow truck suddenly accelerated and crashed into the vehicle, resulting in the deaths of both the farmer and the mechanic.
Tiber Hirshfield, the final owner of the car, believed that a change in color would rid the car of its negative aura. He painted it a cheerful shade of blue and invited five friends to join him to attend a wedding. Sadly, the repaint proved ineffective as Hirshfield and four of his guests were killed in a head-on collision on their way to the ceremony.
The refurbished car eventually found its way to a museum in Vienna, where the curator, Karl Brunner, took exceptional care of it. He researched the car’s cursed history and prohibited anyone from sitting in it.
Sadly, during the Second World War, the museum was destroyed by bombs and nothing remained of the car or Karl Brunner.
To this day, the car remains one of the most well-known and infamous examples of a cursed vehicle, serving as a reminder of the power of superstition and the belief in the supernatural. The tale of the Sarajevo car continues to captivate audiences and raises the question, can a car truly be cursed? Or are the accidents and misfortunes simply the result of chance and circumstance? Either way, the stories of cursed cars have become a permanent fixture in the annals of folklore, providing a source of intrigue and fascination for generations to come.