Wasn't the James Dean 550 spyder found? | FerrariChat
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Wasn't the James Dean 550 spyder found?

Discussion in 'Porsche' started by HistoryBuff, Jul 23, 2013.

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  1. HistoryBuff

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    #1 HistoryBuff, Jul 23, 2013
    Maybe I dreamed it but I thought I read where someone in the SF valley recently found the smashed 550 spyder that James Dean was killed in. I know there's at least one website devoted to the car that James was driving to a race and hit a station wagon.

    On a site for Porsche parts people today I found this reference:

    James Dean's 550 Spyder - Page 2 - Pelican Parts Technical BBS

    they have one paragraph from a story by Warren Beath:
    "In 2005 its last owner George Barris (who actualy was in possession of only the motorless body shell; the essential components are in the possession of Tyler Eschrich, son of William Eschrich who aquired the car from insurance salvage) claimed for the first time to have restored the passenger-side door from the car among the other artifacts of the fatal crash. In 2005 the Volo Auto Museum in Volo, Illinois offered $1million for the missing car--although George Barris would have to authenticate the wreck. Their money was safe, though because the death car will never re-surface, and the answer to the mystery most likely was reduced to a cube of mangled aluminum by a salvage yard crusher."

    There's another story that the race cars that the transmission and some other part went to had mysterious crashes.

    I don't mean to sensationalize but I clearly remember when Dean was killed going to the movie theatre for a special documentary on James Dean...
     
  2. nickd

    nickd Formula Junior

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    #2 nickd, Jul 23, 2013
    not heard that , and it would be big news if it surfaced ....
     
  3. Bullfighter

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    #3 Bullfighter, Jul 23, 2013
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2013
    The car hasn't been found.

    Yes, there was an accident involving the Eschrich car with the engine and transaxle in 1956, but not sure it was mysterious. Racing was dangerous back then. IIRC, the transaxle is now in Massachusetts. It was also rumored that some suspension bits from the Dean car were in Troy McHenry's Spyder when he crashed and died.

    It's a great haunted car story, FWIW.
     
  4. jlonmark

    jlonmark F1 Rookie

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    #4 jlonmark, Jul 23, 2013
    I also heard that the tires, and maybe wheels, were sold to another guy who placed the tires on his car, went racing, crashed and died. The car was cursed to say the least. It would be cool if it surfaced. Also dean was killed in a car crash heading to Northern Ca to go racing. He got a speeding ticket right before the crash. Had he not gotten pulled over, maybe he would still be here.
     
  5. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky F1 World Champ
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    #5 tbakowsky, Jul 24, 2013
    I think I know what you are talkin about. I can't vaguely remember seeing somthing about it on a tv show a few years ago. I think the remains of the car are around, someplace. They interviewed a guy who either owned the remains, or knew where they were stashed. It was a really interesting bit of info. I just wish I could remember they name of the show..one of the mystery type shows with various stories.
     
  6. damian in nj

    damian in nj Formula 3
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    #6 damian in nj, Jul 24, 2013
    Another connection to that car was lost this year when Dean Jeffries, who painted 'lil bastard' on the car passed away.
     
  7. photonut

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    #7 photonut, Jul 24, 2013
    this could be the basis for another john carpenter movie!
     
  8. DenisB

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    #8 DenisB, Jul 24, 2013
    you are correct
     
  9. Timmmmmmmmmmy

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    #9 Timmmmmmmmmmy, Jul 25, 2013
    The story I heard - the crashed car was used by the Highway Patrol as a display at various events to warn kids about the dangers of speed. At one event it aparently fell off the trailer and hurt (Maimed ?) some children - no guarantees that is accurate
     
  10. jlonmark

    jlonmark F1 Rookie

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    #10 jlonmark, Jul 25, 2013
    James Dean got started with his Porsche obsession with his late 1954 white Speedster #80326. After a few races, he decided to upgrade to the 550. Of course the rest is history. I remember hearing that his publicist, or mechanic was in the passenger seat and he was thrown from the car during the accident. He survived.
     
  11. roadracer311

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    #11 roadracer311, Jul 25, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  12. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #12 Bullfighter, Jul 25, 2013
    Speedster #80126 -- model year 1955. White/black, 1500 Super.

    Rolf Wutherich was the mechanic at Competition Motors (VW/Porsche dealer) and in the passenger seat during the accident. He survived but was killed in an accident after he moved back to Germany.

    Surprisingly, the Speedster has never turned up either, AFAIK.
     
  13. jlonmark

    jlonmark F1 Rookie

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    #13 jlonmark, Jul 26, 2013
    I will never doubt Jon again! Btw: did you go to Dana Point? I'm actually thinking of driving my 55 speedster to Monterey in a few weeks. Was the memorial off 126?
     
  14. Bullfighter

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    #14 Bullfighter, Jul 27, 2013
    I didn't - car is in the shop for valve adjustment and a couple of cosmetic items. Next event is probably Coronado.

    The memorial is next to the Jack Ranch Cafe, on 46, just west of the 46/41 split, near where the accident happened (old 466 was actually moved, so the original road is south of the current renumbered 46...) I haven't stopped there, but even on the new road you can see how cars come up suddenly after the dips.
     
  15. RoweanneHuntress

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    #15 RoweanneHuntress, Sep 27, 2014
    That car has never officially been found, but I do know someone who delivered something to the garage where the car was being housed two to three years ago. The man who stole the car has straighrened and restored it, and has never had any desire to sell it. Few people have seen it, and he rarely allows anyone to see it. He doesn't boast that he has it, and this may be why he still is in possession of it. I'm not sure of the details of the theft, and I don't know the man's name or address. Quite frankly, even if I did know I doubt that I'd give up the info. Y'all have a great day! :)
     
  16. kylec

    kylec F1 Rookie
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    #16 kylec, Sep 27, 2014
    This is up there for best first post!
     
  17. DrStranglove

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    #17 DrStranglove, Sep 27, 2014
    Or the most **********.
     

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