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[The Tragic End and Mysterious Afterlife of James Dean’s 'Little Bastard']-[Short Stuff: James Dean's Car]

Stuff You Should Know · B2 · 2024-06-26

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📋 Summary

The Fatal Crash of the 'Little Bastard'

James Dean, an iconic actor known for his penchant for speed, met his untimely end while driving his custom silver Porsche 550 Spyder, affectionately nicknamed the "Little Bastard." The car was a marvel of engineering for its time, capable of reaching speeds of 143 mph and sitting remarkably low to the ground—approximately 42 inches. Despite studio restrictions against racing while under contract, Dean was en route to a sports car race in Salinas when he collided with a Ford sedan at the intersection of Route 46 and 41. The collision was caused by a driver named Donald Turnupspeed, whose name the podcast hosts noted sounded almost impossibly ironic. Due to the low profile of the Porsche and the blinding sun, Dean likely never saw the sedan turning in front of him. Mechanic Ralph Wetheridge, who survived the crash after being ejected, reported that Dean’s final words were, "He's got to stop. I think he sees me." The impact proved fatal for Dean, who suffered a broken neck and skull fracture as the Porsche cartwheeled into a ditch.

The Legend of the Cursed Parts

Following the wreck, the narrative surrounding the Porsche shifted from a tragic accident to an urban legend involving a "curse." The car was initially salvaged by William S. Rich, who stripped it for parts. Rich kept the engine for his Lotus 9, while other components, including the transmission and suspension, were sold to Troy Lee McKinney. In a chilling turn of events, both men crashed their respective cars during the 1956 Pomona Road Races; McKinney was killed, and Rich survived, fueling rumors that the car was cursed.

The Manipulated Mythos of George Barris

Hollywood car customizer George Barris, known for designing the Batmobile and the Munster Koach, played a significant role in perpetuating the car’s dark reputation. Barris claimed to have acquired the frame and body, subsequently lending the wreckage to the LA National Safety Council for a traveling safety exhibit. Reports—which the hosts note should be treated with skepticism—suggest the car repeatedly fell from its display, injuring and killing a truck driver named George Barcus. Barris further embellished the story, claiming that a thief attempting to steal the steering wheel had his arms broken in the process.

The Disappearance and Legacy

By 1960, the "Barris car" allegedly caught fire while in storage, with the fire curiously sparing all other vehicles in the facility. The chassis then vanished from public record for decades. In 2015, a potential breakthrough occurred when an anonymous source claimed his father and friends, including Barris, had hidden the original Porsche behind a false wall in a building that was later demolished. While this source passed a polygraph test, the car remained lost. The legacy of the "Little Bastard" persists today, most notably through its transaxle. In March 2020, a transaxle confirmed to be from Dean’s car was auctioned for nearly $400,000, reportedly purchased by collector Zak Bagans. Despite the high price tag, the hosts expressed a humorous skepticism regarding the value of such a "cursed" and unglamorous mechanical component.

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📝Key Phrases

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play a part in
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come upon
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take a left
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put a pin in
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go ahead and caveat
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📖 Transcript

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