by Launched in 1953, the Porsche 550 Spyder was an iconic sports ride that was renowned for its ahead-of-the-time features and speed. Among other things that popularized the car was James Dean’s unfortunate accident. As it turned out, the accident that took the actor’s life seemed to be a result of something more than just careless driving. Several theories came along, but the one that has found its place in folklore is that the 550 Spyder was cursed. Whether the car was really ominous is still debatable, but the number of terrifying incidents it was associated with can’t just be a coincidence.
10 James Dean’s Craze For Cars
One of the early icons of Hollywood, James Dean was known for his love for cars and races. Though he was more of an actor than a racer, his passion for racing was unparalleled. It was more than just a hobby for him; in fact, he wanted to carve out a career in Motorsport. He frequently bought racing cars using the majority of his earnings from the movies he made. Prior to getting the 550 Spyder, he owned a Speedster, Porsche 356, Triumph Tiger T110, and several others.
9 The Porsche 550 Spyder’s Top Specs Impressed Dean
The 550 Spyder was designed for racing exactly as Dean desired. The car was highly famed for its dominance in 1.1- and 1.5-liter class races. The quick machine featured a 1498 cc four-cylinder engine. With 110 horsepower, the 550 could reach a maximum speed of 137 mph (220 km/h). What’s more, the superb acceleration meant a speed of 100 km/h within 8.5 seconds which was standard defining at the time. The 550’s power and performance helped establish it as one of the most successful cars of the era.
8 James Dean’s Special Touch To His Porsche 550 Spyder
James Dean got the 550 Spyder just nine days before the unfateful accident took place. He called his car Little Bastard – a nickname given to him by his close friends. Dean asked painter and pinstriper, Dean Jeffries to customize the look of his car. He got 130 painted on the front hood, doors, and rear deck lid to set it apart from other 550s running the streets. In addition, he got “Little Bastard” painted across the rear cowl.
7 James Dean Wished To Explore Professional Racing With The 550 Spyder
Dean continued to participate in competitions on and off – juggling between roles and races. Right before filming his biggest project, Rebel Without a Cause, Dean competed in Palm Spring Road Races. He later raced with his Speedster in Bakersfield where he finished third overall. He began eyeing the Salinas Road Race for which he needed a more powerful and faster car. Thus, he traded in his Speedster for a brand new 550 Spyder at Competition Motors. Little did he know he would never make it to the racetrack.
6 The Ominous Premonitions About The Spyder 550
Dean was in Los Angeles where he ran into British Actor, Alec Guinness. Guinness who considered himself highly superstitious warned Dean not to get into his car. Without any hesitation, Guinness told Dean that if he drives this car, he would not be alive. In a discussion with BBC, Guinness described the fear that blanketed him right after he saw Dean’s shiny silver vehicle. He stated, “I looked at my watch — and I said, ‘if you get into that car at all, it’s now Thursday (Friday, actually), 10 o’clock at night and by 10 o’clock at night next Thursday, you’ll be dead if you get into that car.’”
5 The Day The 550 Spyder’s Accident Took Place
On September 30th, 1955, Dean was on his way to join the Salinas Road Race along with his two Porsche mechanics. The car was supposed to be towed behind his 1955 Ford Country Squire station wagon. However, since the Little Bastard didn’t have enough break-in miles on the meter, Dean decided to get behind the wheel and drive it. Unfortunately, the actor began testing the capacity of this steed. He drove at a highly unsafe speed, and at the intersection of Highway 41 and 46, he lost control and crashed into a Ford Tudor driven by a student, Donald Turnupseed. James Dean was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Turnupseed, on the other hand, was safe luckily having sustained only a few scratches.
4 The Mishaps Associated With The Porsche 550 Spyder Continued
Despite the horrendous accident, the engine of Dean’s 550 remained intact – as good as new. The car and its remnants were auctioned off by an insurance company to Dr. William Eschrid, a part-time racer. Eschrid installed 550’s powerful engine into the chassis of his Lotus IX. He lent some of the parts from the transmission and suspensions to his surgeon friend, Troy McHenry. Just weeks later, the two participated in the Ponoma race where both of them crashed without any obvious cause. Eschrid got away with minor injuries, however, McHenry wasn’t as lucky. The latter crashed into a tree and died. Later, George Barris, aka, the King of Kustomization who bought the busted vehicle stated that the mechanics working on it got inexplicable wounds and cuts. The garage where the Little Bastard was kept burned down to ashes. During an exhibition, the car fell on a student, and the hauler who moved the car died a mysterious death. In other words, nothing went straight with the Little Bastard around.
3 The Alternative Explanation To The Cursed Porsche 550 Spyder
A lot has been said to demonize Dean’s splendid 550, but according to the skeptics, the truth of the Little Bastard might be plain and simple. The argument can’t be sidelined that all the accidents involving Dean’s car took place under risky circumstances. Right before his accident, Dean was slapped with a ticket for overspeeding as were his mechanics. Since the cars Eschrid and McHenry had recently been refitted with 550’s components, there is a chance that they crashed due to possible loose assembling, high speed, or unsuitability of parts. Barris’ story could very well have been a publicity stunt – since he was in the business of cars and could benefit from such rumors.
2 The Mystery Of Curse On The Spyder 550
Guinness’ straightforward premonition about Dean that horrifyingly came true proves there was more to the car than what met the eyes. The mishaps continued as long as the car was around. You might wonder where the Little Bastard is today. Well, nobody knows about that. On its way back from an exhibition in Miami, Dean’s Porsche 550 Spyder along with the van towing it vanished for good. To date, there is no information about its whereabouts. Some wonder if the 13 in 130 had a role to play in putting the 550’s drivers in harm’s way. With the car no longer around, the mystery remains unsolved.
1 The Porsche 550 Spyder’s Legacy Today
The 550 Spyder was in production for only three years from 1953 to 1956, and a total of only 90 copies were produced. Today, the 550 is one of the most desired cars for a variety of good reasons. The car was famed for its capabilities on the track. The 550 Spyder gave Porsche its first victory at a major racing competition which was Targa Floria. Thanks to the 550’s solid performance, Porsche became the first automobile manufacturer to enjoy race sponsorship. Despite the infamous incidents with Dean’s car, the 550 has been an ideal example for how a sports car is approached today.
FAQ
Q: What car did James Dean die in?James Dean died in his silver Porsche 550 Spyder on September 30, 1955.
Q: How Much is James Deans’ Porsche worth?Though James Dean’s car is nowhere to be found, it’s part have been the headlines of several auctions. In 2021, the transaxle was sold for $382,000.
Q: How many Porsche 550 Spyders are left?The company produced only 90 550 Spyders. Today, only a few are left.
Q: How much is a 550 Porsche worth?An original 550 Spyder may cost you over $500,000.
Q: Where is the James Dean car?James Dean’s car dissapeared from an auction in Miami. It hasn’t been found till date.
