James Dean's 550 Spyder transaxle found

[BGlover67]

Never seen that before, cool.

[69mach351w]

I like how JD opened the gas cap with the lit cigarette in his hand

[honker]

From the narration in the vid of the reconstruction of the crash, he says the Ford was turning early to cut the apex of the corner ?

also says Donald Turnupseed was a hot rodder and would do this ?

Many years ago, '80s  I visited the site, the road has been reconfigured, there was a memorial at the garage, I think it was put up

by some one from Japan ? It was a bit surreal that day, there were fires in the area and it was very smokey.

Maybe this is another one of those stories like the Morrison Shelby ?

Mike

[Side-Oilers]

I've stopped there too, a couple of times over the past 40 or so years.  Road configuration is different, but you can kind of get a feel for the event. 

Also, in several places east of the collision site (on Hwy 46) you can still glimpse sections of the long-abandoned old road that he drove on. 

[69mach351w]

From the narration in the vid of the reconstruction of the crash, he says the Ford was turning early to cut the apex of the corner ?

also says Donald Turnupseed was a hot rodder and would do this ?

Many years ago, '80s  I visited the site, the road has been reconfigured, there was a memorial at the garage, I think it was put up

by some one from Japan ? It was a bit surreal that day, there were fires in the area and it was very smokey.

Maybe this is another one of those stories like the Morrison Shelby ?

Mike

Exactly what I was saying at reply #13.

[deathsled]

I've stopped there too, a couple of times over the past 40 or so years.  Road configuration is different, but you can kind of get a feel for the event. 

Also, in several places east of the collision site (on Hwy 46) you can still glimpse sections of the long-abandoned old road that he drove on.

I love old abandoned roads. They have a real haunting feel about them. I will have to get out there to the site. Been to Dean's grave though in Fairmount, Indiana. Strange imagining him mouldering away under the earth. But still there.

[chris NOS]

Sold for ...... ready ................................................................................387 000.00 USD !!!!!!!

https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/transaxle-from-james-deans-porsche-550-spyder-sells-for-387000/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Wednesday_DailyDriver&hashed_email=c7d34f1fe6c17c51beb01af1db5a946502199680d1931770797de2f7e1aa3d77

[98SVT - was 06GT]

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.

Barris tried to con Chuck Beck out of 2 of his 550 Spyder kits and a frame for cheap and ahead of others on the waiting list. Said he wanted to do a movie on the history of the car. Beck having heard it all before declined.

Barris did haul it around to shows and schools. After it was stolen who knows what happened. From this it looks like it was parted out. Someday the engine cases may turn up.

Sure are a lot of 55's in his life on that day.

and all the 7s in the license plate

[deathsled]

$387,000 is heading into Ford GT territory.  I'd rather have a drivable object than an artifact from that car.

[FL SAAC]

$387,000 is heading into Ford GT territory.  I'd rather have a drivable object than an artifact from that car.

Good Lawd that's alota money !

Imagine if you will....how much would Marylin Monroe's bumpers go for?

[BGlover67]

I've always been intrigued with the story surrounding 'Lil Bastard.  In the world of missing super famous cars, it's in the top three along with Morrison's GT500 and the Aston Martin 007 car stolen from a Florida hangar years ago.  That one they actually do know where it is I'm told.  George Barris almost certainly 'disposed of' 'Lil Bastard at some point, that just leaves The Blue Lady and everyone knows Dave Mathews has been holding on to it at his home in Connecticut for years now.   

[FL SAAC]

I've always been intrigued with the story surrounding 'Lil Bastard.  In the world of missing super famous cars, it's in the top three along with Morrison's GT500 and the Aston Martin 007 car stolen from a Florida hangar years ago.  That one they actually do know where it is I'm told.  George Barris almost certainly 'disposed of' 'Lil Bastard at some point, that just leaves The Blue Lady and everyone knows Dave Mathews has been holding on to it at his home in Connecticut for years now.   

Morrison's GT500, we know where portions of that car are.....