VIN: James Dean's Porsche 550 chassis 0055
History of chassis 0055
Porsche 550 chassis 0055 was famously acquired new by the American actor, James Dean.
On September 18th 1955, Dean’s friend and fellow Porsche 356 Speedster owner, Lew Bracker, had spotted the 550 at Competition Motors, the Porsche dealership in Hollywood owned by John von Neumann.
Dean purchased the car on September 21st. He paid $3000 cash and traded his five-month old 356 Speedster (chassis 80126). Dean took the 550 to show Bracker that same day and Bracker promptly traded his red 356 Speedster at Competition Motors for Dean’s lightly used white example.
When Dean purchased the silver 550, he had completed three Hollywood movies: East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant.
Giant was in post-production which meant Dean was permitted to do a little racing. He had successfully done a few events in the 356 and felt ready to move up a league.
In the days that followed his acquisition, Dean tested the 550 around the mountain roads of Santa Monica. He also had Dean Jeffries customise the car at the workshop of George Barris.
Crimson flashes were added to the rear fender crowns and 130 numbers to the hood, doors and rear clam. Beneath the engine vent grilles Jeffries also wrote ’Little Bastard’, a nickname given to Dean that summer while on the set of Giant.
Dean entered his 550 for the Salinas Airport Road Races scheduled to take place on October 1st and 2nd. This was the first time the event had been held; it was organised by the San Francisco region of the Sports Car Club of America.
Dean had arranged for Rolf Wutherich to accompany him. Wutherich was a talented German four-cam mechanic who worked for John von Neumannn.
Salinas Airport was a 300 mile drive from Hollywood and Wutherich encouraged Dean to drive the 550 as he felt it still needed running in; they would ride together in the Porsche. Dean’s stunt co-ordinater pal, Bill Hickman, and noted photographer, Sanford Roth, also joined them on the trip to Salinas. Hickman and Roth travelled in Dean’s Ford station wagon complete with trailer.
The group left Competition Motors at 2:30pm on Friday September 30th and, within an hour, Dean and Hickman had both been ticketed for speeding.
After a stop for refreshments, they continued their journey.
However, at 5:45pm, while travelling along Route 466 into the setting sun, a Ford Tudor pulled out in front of Dean’s fast moving Porsche.
Unable to stop, Dean ploughed into the passenger side of the Ford at around 85mph.
Rolf Wutherich was catapulted from the Porsche and sustained serious injuries.
James Dean, aged 24, was killed instantly.
The Ford driver, Donald Turnupseed, escaped practically unhurt.
The wrecked remains of chassis 0055 were sold by the insurance company to William Eschrich for $2500. Eschrich removed the engine and transaxle then reputedly sold the rest to George Barris.
Notable History
15/07/1955 completed at the factory
Dispatched to John von Neumann, Competition Motors, 1219 Vine Street, Hollywood, California
21/09/1955 sold to James Dean, 14611 Sutton Street, Sherman Oaks, California
Traded against Dean’s 356 A 1500 Super Speedster (chassis 80126)
Registered ZZ77767
30/09/1955 wrecked in Dean’s fatal accident heading to the Salinas Airport races
01-02/10/1955 SCA Regional Salinas (J. Dean) DNA
Written off by the insurance company and sold to William Eschrich for $2500
Engine and transaxle removed with the remains reputedly sold to George Barris
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Sanford Roth
