The Cursed Porsche 550 Spyder

In the annals of automotive lore, few tales resonate as hauntingly as that of James Dean's Porsche 550 Spyder, forever immortalized as "Little Bastard." James Dean, the iconic Hollywood star of the 1950s, had an insatiable passion for speed and a penchant for racing. In September 1955, Dean acquired the Porsche 550 Spyder, a sleek and formidable sports car, heralded for its nimble handling and race-winning pedigree. However, what followed was a series of tragic events that would shroud the car in myth and infamy, cementing its status as one of the most cursed vehicles in history.

Dean's ownership of the Porsche 550 Spyder was tragically short-lived. Just days after acquiring the car, on September 30, 1955, Dean met his untimely demise in a fatal collision while driving the Spyder to a racing event in Salinas, California. The accident instantly catapulted the car into notoriety, with rumors swirling about its alleged curse.

Following Dean's fatal crash, the Porsche 550 Spyder, or what remained of it, passed into the hands of collectors and enthusiasts. However, its journey was marred by a string of misfortunes and accidents, leading many to believe that the car was cursed. One such incident involved a mechanic who was working on the wrecked Spyder. Reportedly, the car fell off its jack and crushed the mechanic's legs, leaving him seriously injured.

Another eerie incident occurred when the Spyder's engine was salvaged and installed in another race car. Shortly thereafter, the car crashed, killing its driver. Subsequent owners of parts salvaged from the Spyder also reported a series of mishaps and accidents, fueling speculation about the car's malevolent influence.

Even more hauntingly, Alec Guinness, the distinguished British actor, recounted a chilling encounter with James Dean shortly before the young star's tragic accident. In an interview many years later with talk show host Michael Parkinson, he shared that after being turned away from a crowded Hollywood restaurant, Dean, recognizing Guinness, invited him to join for dinner. Before heading inside, Dean proudly showcased his new Porsche 550 Spyder, adorned with roses. Guinness recalled, 'I said, ‘Have you driven it?’ and he said, ‘No. I have never been in it at all.' And some strange thing came over me. Some almost different voice, and I said, ‘Look, I won’t join your table unless you want me to, but I must say something: Please do not get into that car, because if you do’ — and I looked at my watch — and I said, ‘if you get into that car at all, it’s now Thursday, 10 o’clock at night and by 10 o’clock at night next Thursday, you’ll be dead if you get into that car.' Despite Guinness's warning, Dean jokingly dismissed it, and the evening continued amiably. Tragically, just as Guinness foresaw, the following Thursday afternoon, James Dean met his untimely demise in the fatal car accident while driving the same Porsche.

Ertha Kitt, the famous singer and actress is also known to have told Dean she found his Porsche Spyder very unsettling.

In an eerie final twist, the car's wreckage vanished. The Spyder was returning after being loaned out to a traffic safety exhibit in Florida, transported in a sealed truck. Owner George Barris stated that the "Little Bastard" was being shipped back in a sealed boxcar. Upon the train's arrival in Los Angeles, Barris claimed he signed the manifest and verified that the seal was intact, only to find the boxcar empty.

The legend of the cursed Porsche 550 Spyder only grew with time, capturing the imagination of enthusiasts and sparking countless theories and superstitions. Some attributed the car's curse to Dean's tragic death, while others speculated about supernatural forces at play. Regardless of the explanations, the mystique surrounding the Spyder endured, cementing its place in automotive folklore.