Author Topic: James Dean's 550 Spyder transaxle found  (Read 3813 times)

deathsled

  • SAAC Member
  • Hero Member
  • *
    • View Profile
"Low she sits on five spoke wheels
Small block eight so live she feels
There she's parked beside the curb
Engine revving to disturb
She's the princess from his past
Red paint gold stripes damned she's fast"

Side-Oilers

  • SAAC Member
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • SAAC member since 1981.
    • View Profile
Re: James Dean's 550 Spyder transaxle found
« Reply #1 on: October 03, 2020, 06:39:31 PM »
Big news in the automotive world.
https://www.manufacturing.net/automotive/video/21196211/part-of-james-deans-porsche-discovered-65-years-after-crash#:~:text=A%20key%20component%20of%20the,been%20discovered%20in%20rural%20Massachusetts.

These days, a guy "could" (not "would" or "should") not only rebuild Dean's "actual car" from that component, he could probably 3D print an actual James Dean to go in it.
Current:
2006 FGT. Tungsten. Whipple, HRE 20s, Ohlin coil-overs, 3.90 gears. 210.7 mph.

Kirkham Cobra. 482-inch aluminum side-oiler. Tremec 5-spd.

Formerly:
1968 GT500KR #2575 (1982-2022)
1970 Ranchero GT 429
1969 LTD Country Squire 429
1963 T-Bird Sport Roadster
1957 T-Bird E-model 3-spd stick

deathsled

  • SAAC Member
  • Hero Member
  • *
    • View Profile
Re: James Dean's 550 Spyder transaxle found
« Reply #2 on: October 03, 2020, 06:49:42 PM »
Yes, I agree. But...read up on the curse surrounding his car. (If you believe in that sort of thing.) Perhaps an automotive exorcism is merited over said transaxle.
"Low she sits on five spoke wheels
Small block eight so live she feels
There she's parked beside the curb
Engine revving to disturb
She's the princess from his past
Red paint gold stripes damned she's fast"

Greg

  • SAAC Member
  • Hero Member
  • *
    • View Profile
Re: James Dean's 550 Spyder transaxle found
« Reply #3 on: October 03, 2020, 08:24:28 PM »
That is a load of BS IMO.
Shelby's and Fords from Day 1

deathsled

  • SAAC Member
  • Hero Member
  • *
    • View Profile
Re: James Dean's 550 Spyder transaxle found
« Reply #4 on: October 03, 2020, 08:28:48 PM »
It could be BS. Who is to say that the serial number wasn't stamped on the transaxle at a later date. Plus it is the only news article that presented itself in my feed and further research did not find any other news outlets on the story. Unless you are referring to the so-called curse...
"Low she sits on five spoke wheels
Small block eight so live she feels
There she's parked beside the curb
Engine revving to disturb
She's the princess from his past
Red paint gold stripes damned she's fast"

Side-Oilers

  • SAAC Member
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • SAAC member since 1981.
    • View Profile
Re: James Dean's 550 Spyder transaxle found
« Reply #5 on: October 03, 2020, 11:21:51 PM »
Supposedly, George Barris had the wreckage and paraded it around to auto shows as part of a "safe driving" campaign. 

At this point, learning the "real truth" is probably pretty difficult. But, therein lies the fun of the mystery.
Current:
2006 FGT. Tungsten. Whipple, HRE 20s, Ohlin coil-overs, 3.90 gears. 210.7 mph.

Kirkham Cobra. 482-inch aluminum side-oiler. Tremec 5-spd.

Formerly:
1968 GT500KR #2575 (1982-2022)
1970 Ranchero GT 429
1969 LTD Country Squire 429
1963 T-Bird Sport Roadster
1957 T-Bird E-model 3-spd stick

Kent

  • SAAC Member
  • Hero Member
  • *
    • View Profile
Re: James Dean's 550 Spyder transaxle found
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2020, 03:02:42 AM »
Hemmings also had an article about it.
SAAC Member from Germany and Owner of a unrestored 1967 Shelby GT500, 1968 1/2 Cobra Jetīs and some nice Mustang Fastbackīs 67/68

papa scoops

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
    • View Profile
Re: James Dean's 550 Spyder transaxle found
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2020, 05:41:42 AM »
I've heard several stories about the body being in a tiny town just north of here,(Washington) stored in a building, since the 60's. phred

chris NOS

  • SAAC Member
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • 5S241 actual owner
    • View Profile
Re: James Dean's 550 Spyder transaxle found
« Reply #8 on: October 04, 2020, 07:12:45 AM »
I've heard several stories about the body being in a tiny town just north of here,(Washington) stored in a building, since the 60's. phred
i m pretty sure even  back in the day ,who ever got the wrecked body , would not scrap it because it was The James Dean's 550 , it has be somewhere....



deathsled

  • SAAC Member
  • Hero Member
  • *
    • View Profile
Re: James Dean's 550 Spyder transaxle found
« Reply #11 on: October 04, 2020, 02:47:33 PM »
Thank you for the additional links.  Not that I am a numerologist or anything but how interesting is it that Dean died in 1955 and then note the following:
"Porsche's own records confirm that Dean's 550 Spyder carried chassis number 550-0055..."
Sure are a lot of 55's in his life on that day.
"Low she sits on five spoke wheels
Small block eight so live she feels
There she's parked beside the curb
Engine revving to disturb
She's the princess from his past
Red paint gold stripes damned she's fast"

deathsled

  • SAAC Member
  • Hero Member
  • *
    • View Profile
Re: James Dean's 550 Spyder transaxle found
« Reply #12 on: October 04, 2020, 03:46:13 PM »
Here is an interesting accident reconstruction of the crash.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYPAPJIxOa8
"Low she sits on five spoke wheels
Small block eight so live she feels
There she's parked beside the curb
Engine revving to disturb
She's the princess from his past
Red paint gold stripes damned she's fast"

69mach351w

  • SAAC Member
  • Hero Member
  • *
    • View Profile
Re: James Dean's 550 Spyder transaxle found
« Reply #13 on: October 04, 2020, 05:33:57 PM »
I'm wondering, in the reconstruction, why the narrator has the Ford attempting the left turn way ahead of time. I know this is speculation but by looking at the video and the animation, it seems the Ford is turning several yards before reaching the apex of the left turn.

But seems the narrator and author is spot on in the crash summary.

deathsled

  • SAAC Member
  • Hero Member
  • *
    • View Profile
Re: James Dean's 550 Spyder transaxle found
« Reply #14 on: October 05, 2020, 10:28:20 PM »
Two Friendly Ghosts short movie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOYewd-LSsw
"Low she sits on five spoke wheels
Small block eight so live she feels
There she's parked beside the curb
Engine revving to disturb
She's the princess from his past
Red paint gold stripes damned she's fast"