James Dean's Porsche found? Mystery man claims he knows where it is

[Shadetree930]

James Dean's Porsche found? Mystery man claims he knows where it is | Fox News

The long-lost – and some say cursed -- car that James Dean died in may soon be found, if a half-century old memory can be believed.

The 24-year-old Hollywood star was killed when the Porsche 550 Spyder he was driving to an automobile race he was scheduled to compete in collided with a Ford Tudor coupe at an intersection in Cholame, Calif., on Sept. 30, 1955.

Nicknamed “Little Bastard,” the tiny Porsche was totaled in the crash. The wreck was sold to one of Dean’s competitors, who removed the engine and other useable components, then passed what was left to famed car customizer George Barris.

Dean’s car gained the reputation of being cursed in the wake of several incidents over the years, including the death of a racer whose car reportedly was built using some of its parts.

After shelving plans to restore the Porsche, Barris began lending it to the National Safety Council to use to promote car safety, and showing it at automotive events. While being shipped back to Los Angeles from Miami in 1960 it mysteriously disappeared from the locked container it was in, either on a train or truck, depending on the report.

Since then, the mysterious car’s whereabouts have been unknown. But in 2005, in conjunction with an exhibit marking the 50th anniversary of Dean’s death, Chicago’s Volo Auto Museum made a public offer to buy the car for $1 million from whoever had it.


Museum director Brian Grams told FoxNews.com that many tips have come in over the years, but none led to the car. But a break may have come after the story of the car and the reward was retold on a recent episode of “Brad Meltzer's Lost History” that aired on the History channel.

This past spring, the museum got a call from a man in Whatcom County, Wash., who said that, as a boy in the 1960s, he had witnessed the car being hidden behind the false wall of a building. Grams said the story included details that rang true, such as the then-boy cutting his hand on the car.

With so much at stake, the museum asked the man, who the museum has not identified, to take a polygraph test. He passed with flying colors, according to Grams.

Unfortunately, the man doesn’t own the building and has no claim to the car himself. Its location is still being kept secret as the two parties hash out an agreement regarding a reward.

Volo’s lawyers are “vigorously” trying to determine all of the ownership issues involved, including whether or not Barris has a claim to the car, as there was no paperwork involved in his acquisition of the wreck, Grams said.

Volo is hoping to resolve the situation soon and move forward with the car’s discovery. As for what it’s worth, Grams said the $1 million offer to buy it from its rightful owner is still on the table.

[varmint]

i heard it's on the nazi train buried in pound.

[afterburn 549]

Some things to think abuot -
Bellingham in Whatcom Co is built over a coal mine .
It is a Very old twn with lots of history.
I used to know where there was several tunnels still accessible ..
The twn is actually a marriage of at least 3 twns, one a sea going village (Seahome Fairhaven )
Anything is possible .
Rail road ave has some old old buildings built of brick.
The twn has lots of rich history and some old money.
Who knows...it is just up the street from Ca.

[yellowperil]

That Porsche and Jimmy Hoffa, they're gone.

[afterburn 549]

Like the gumball rally ..there are auctions only the few are privy too...

[masraum]

Several threads on the board, all over the place, 911 Tech, Boxster-Cayman board, etc....

I figure this is as good as any to post in.

Apparently, the tranny from JD's lil'Bastard has been found.

https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/james-deans-death-car-parts-resurface/

Almost 65 years to the day of James Dean’s death behind the wheel of his “Little Bastard” Porsche 550 Spyder, the car’s transaxle has been discovered.

As we previously documented, the car was stripped for parts after Dean’s tragic accident on September 30, 1955. Some components went to other racers, while the mangled shell was bought by George Barris, and sent on a morbid road safety tour before apparently disappearing for good in 1960.

There have always been rumors about what became of the car, but this is the first time in decades that proof of its continued existence has been provided.

Porsche broker Don Ahearn acquired the transaxle in March of this year from Jack Styles, of restoration specialists Paul Russell and Company, who is believed to have had stored it in a crate for 30 years. Ahearn says that he plans to exhibit it at car shows or possibly sell it to a museum.

The part’s provenance has proven by Porsche historian Lee Raskin. Little Bastard’s chassis number was 550-0055 and was married to engine number 90 059 and gearbox number 10 046. That final number is clearly visible on the transaxle.

Perhaps now that this key component has re-emerged the rest of the 550’s remains will resurface.

Fairly long thread from the 911 Tech board.

James Dean's 550 Spyder

[stevej37]

Why do I get the feeling that Wayne will be involved in all of this?
A perfect addition to his collection.

[biosurfer1]

I don't believe in superstitions but I wouldn't touch that car with a 10' pole.

That's a whole lot of bad karma to be written off as coincidences.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

I don't believe in superstitions but I wouldn't touch that car with a 10' pole.

That's a whole lot of bad karma to be written off as coincidences.

Four deaths forthcoming just to get it positioned in the museum.

[GG Allin]

Buried behind a wall 'eh? Reminds me of the Traub motorcycle story/mystery.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

I don't believe in superstitions but I wouldn't touch that car with a 10' pole.

That's a whole lot of bad karma to be written off as coincidences.

I would. I walk under ladders also.

I met a guy that buried a motorcycle under the concrete of his back porch. Apparently it was his riding buddy's, and the widow asked him to make sure no one else would ride it again.

[wdfifteen]

I could use a spare 519.

[pavulon]

Call Geraldo!

[Nostril Cheese]

The story rolls around every 10 years or so.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I could use a spare 519.

Not that one Patrick.

[Hawkeye's-911T]

Call Geraldo!

Why not - the prototypical incarnation of a consummate professional journalist

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye's-911T

Why not - the prototypical incarnation of a consummate professional journalist

Pavulon's joke dates back to about 1985 or '86, when Geraldo hosted a live prime time special opening up some wall in Al Capone's basement hideout. Despite all the hype, nothing was found.

[URY914]

[onewhippedpuppy]

I heard Jimmy Hoffa is buried in it....