How did gangsters like Bonnie and Clyde and Al Capone escape from the police before bullet proofing their cars? And how did the bullet proof cars help them?

As I recall, Bonnie and Clyde didn't escape. Al Capone didn't have much trouble with the police, he had them on his side for years. It was the Feds who got to Al. Cicero Illinois was run by Al, city government, police, and all. Read this interesting article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Capone

The bullet proof cars were often fitted with police sirens.

I'm not aloud to use wikipedia.

If you're not allowed to use Wikipedia, then go to that article bobpursley posted and check out the further references and external links at the bottom of the webpage.

=)

Gangsters like Bonnie and Clyde and Al Capone were notorious for their ability to escape from the police. Before bulletproofing their cars became popular, they employed a few strategies to evade capture.

1. Lookouts and Scouting: Gangsters would use scouts positioned strategically to keep an eye out for police or law enforcement on their tail. These lookouts would signal the gangsters if they spotted any potential danger, allowing them to change their route or take alternative escape routes.

2. Speed and Agility: Gangsters often used powerful, high-speed vehicles to outrun the police. They would drive at high speeds, often in excess of what law enforcement vehicles were capable of at the time, making it difficult for the police to catch up with them.

3. Knowledge of the Terrain: Familiarity with the surrounding area was crucial for gangsters to escape. They would exploit their knowledge of back roads, rural routes, and hideouts where they could quickly disappear after outrunning the police.

Bulletproof cars later became an effective tool for gangsters to protect themselves during confrontations with law enforcement. Here's how they helped:

1. Protection from Gunfire: Bulletproofing involved reinforcing the car's body with heavy-duty materials, such as steel or Kevlar, to make it resistant to bullets. This protection was particularly valuable during high-speed chases or shootouts, as it shielded the gangsters from gunfire, providing them with more time to escape.

2. Increased Confidence: Gangsters driving bulletproof cars knew they had an advantage over law enforcement. This confidence allowed them to take bolder actions and engage in riskier behavior, knowing they had an added layer of protection.

3. Psychological Advantage: Bulletproof cars also created a psychological advantage. Law enforcement officers were aware of the gangsters' ability to withstand gunfire, which made them hesitate during confrontations. This hesitation worked to the gangsters' advantage, providing them with more time to flee before the police devised a different strategy.

In summary, before bulletproofing became common, gangsters like Bonnie and Clyde and Al Capone relied on lookout systems, speed, and knowledge of the terrain to escape the police. Bulletproof cars later enhanced their ability to evade capture by providing protection from gunfire, boosting their confidence, and creating a psychological advantage.