Car Crash That Killed James Dean

James Dean’s career was tragically cut short at the youthful age of 24 when he was killed just before 6:00 PM, September 30, 1955 - in the wreck of his new $7,000.00 Porsche 550 Spyder sports car that he had just purchased nine days earlier. James Dean was enroute to an amateur road race in Salinas, coming from Los Angeles when the wreck occurred. The accident happened only days after the completion of ‘Giant’ – which co-starred Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor. Interestingly, it was during the filming of Giant that James Dean was contractually forbidden to race sports cars; the new passion Dean had developed only a year or so earlier. But now, with the filming of Giant complete - James Dean was free to pursue his new hobby to the fullest extent. Anticipating the last day of production, Dean purchased an expensive Porsche 550 Spyder from Competition Motors, one of only 90 built. He ordered it prepared in time for racing after Giant was ‘in the can’. James Dean liked to race. Dean had replaced his white Porsche 356 Super Speedster with the new bright silver Porsche 550 Spyder hoping to use it in his first return meet. In addition to mechanical tuning the sleek Porsche was also stripped and given the number "130"; which was painted on the hood, trunk and both doors using non-permanent paint. Also painted on the back of the car was the name "Little Bastard," Dean's nickname – that was given to him by Bill Hickman (Dean's dialogue coach for Giant). Alec Guinness, the actor, had a premonition that Dean would die behind its wheel. Dean had bumped into Guinness at the Villa Capri, a local Hollywood hangout. Dean was so proud of the Spyder that he insisted upon showing it to Guinness. Guinness thought the car appeared 'sinister' and told “If you get in that car you will be found dead in it by this time next week.”This encounter took place on September 23, 1955; and exactly one week later Dean was killed in that very car. Dean, a self-confessed speed freak, had laughed off Guinness’s suggestion. There was no way.... [Now you can read the rest of this fascinating story on your Kindle. Discover everything that you ever wondered about the day that James Dean was killed, about the car, his racing and his passion for speed. Author Lam Bastion has written several books for Kindle about the deaths of various celebrities; now this latest one on James Dean.]