What if I told you that some cars never die? Their engines keep humming even after their drivers vanish, and their wheels leave indelible marks on history.
In the dusty archives of the Los Angeles Police Department lies a yellow file containing a chilling secret: photographs of a mangled Porsche bearing the number '1300,' accompanied by a trembling note: 'This car seeks new victims.' Since 1955, this document has been evidence of one of history's most famous car curses.
The Legend of "Little Bastard"
On September 30, 1955, on an ill-fated afternoon, James Dean was driving his Porsche 550 Spyder, nicknamed "Little Bastard," to Salinas, California, for a car race. Just hours before the crash, he was stopped by a patrol officer for speeding at 65 mph in a 55 mph zone. He was given a warning but remained undeterred in his pursuit of speed.
At an intersection near Cholame, the Porsche collided with a Ford Tudor sedan driven by Donald Turnupseed, aged 23. Witnesses reported that Dean appeared to try to avoid the collision at the last moment, but due to his high speed (estimated by some reports at 85 mph), the crash was inevitable. The young star died almost instantly, while his mechanic Rolf Wütherich survived with severe injuries.
Weeks after the accident, renowned car customizer George Barris purchased the wreckage for $2,500. Barris embarked on an unusual exhibition tour displaying the remains at car shows with an enticing sign: "The last car driven by James Dean... witness the killer Porsche curse!"
Unfolding the Curse: Fact or Fiction?
Workshop Incident: During unloading in Los Angeles, the Porsche slipped off its trailer and crushed a mechanic's legs, resulting in one amputation.
Engine of Death: The engine was sold to dentist Troy McHenry who died months later when his car (equipped with this engine) crashed into a tree during a local race.
Doomed Transmission: Dr. William Eschrich bought the transmission and later suffered a paralyzing crash attributed to it.
Mysterious Fire: In 1959, unexplained fires engulfed a warehouse containing tires from Dean's Porsche.
Historians are skeptical about these events' veracity. Auto expert John Ruskin asserted that Barris reassembled parts from various sources to create drama. Investigative reports have shown that some "curse victims" had no genuine link to the vehicle. Moreover, the National Highway Traffic Safety Museum noted that without protective bars, the Porsche 550 was inherently dangerous at high speeds.
Decades later, after passing through numerous collectors' hands, remnants settled in Las Vegas's Haunted Museum by 2020. Displayed in a glass room under ominous lighting, museum owner Zak Bagans claims paranormal activity around it—reportedly capturing strange sounds and flickering lights.
Culturally speaking, we understand why this mystery endures; just two weeks before his death in a road safety ad, Dean warned: "Drive slow—the life you save might be mine." This timing gave his demise deeper significance amid post-WWII youth challenging danger.
Hollywood studios further exploited this tragedy to cement Dean's image as "the rebel star who paid for his audacity." Despite lacking tangible evidence for any 'curse,' Dean’s Porsche remains complex culturally:
For gearheads: A masterpiece from classic racing eras.
For paranormal fans: An ideal modern folklore example of 'cursed objects.'
For historians: A witness reflecting society's evolving relationship with risk and fame during postwar '50s America.
Notable Technical Details:
Original Engine: Four-cylinder engine producing 110 hp with a displacement of 1.5 liters.
Top Speed: Capable of reaching up to 220 km/h (137 mph)—faster than most contemporaries.
Weight: At just over half-a-ton (approximately 550 kg), explaining its vulnerability upon impact.
