James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?
- Mark Pribanic
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 2416
- Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:11 pm
- Tag: Drive 'Em!
- Location: Neptune Beach, Florida USA
- Contact:
James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?
Been following a thread on FaceSpace regarding James Dean's Speedster being found in France recently. I didn't see a thread on the Registry so wanted to let those not on FaceSpace know about this recent rumored discovery. Still no foto's of the vin plate. So not sure if this is true or not. I always like to say "Pics or it didn't happen!"
If there is a thread, Moderators please delete this one.
If there is a thread, Moderators please delete this one.
Mark Pribanic
Registry# 13617
Florida Owners Group Trustee - 2008-2010
Neptune Beach, Florida USA
Instagram: Mark.Pribanic
Registry# 13617
Florida Owners Group Trustee - 2008-2010
Neptune Beach, Florida USA
Instagram: Mark.Pribanic
- Adam Wright
- Classifieds Monitor
- Posts: 10322
- Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:00 am
- Tag: KTF
Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. There seem to be conflicting stories.
I'm also a firm believer in pics.
I'm also a firm believer in pics.
www.unobtanium-inc.com
Check out my Barn Find column in the Registry magazine, always looking for good stories.
Check out my Barn Find column in the Registry magazine, always looking for good stories.
- GregVandenbussche
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 339
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2013 5:36 pm
- Location: San Francisco
Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?
found on a dutch website:
carte grise (pink-slip) with number 80126 picture:
carte grise (pink-slip) with number 80126 picture:
Bt5 Super - used to be fjord green, was painted brass, then brown... sadness
- Martin Benade
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 12392
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:52 am
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?
They have a car to go along with the key?
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
- Jules Dielen
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 3206
- Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:25 pm
- Location: Arizona
Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?
nice recent repro key fob too. those are not the 'proof' pictures
Jules
Water pumps are for windshield washers only.
Water pumps are for windshield washers only.
- Jim Liberty
- 356 Registry Member
- Posts: 4320
- Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 3:47 pm
- Tag: Jim
- Location: Orange Co., CA
- Contact:
Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?
Unless Lee Raskin says so. It ain't true. .................Jim.
Jim Liberty
- lee raskin
- Registry Trustee
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:07 am
- Location: Brooklandville, Maryland ( Baltimore )
- Contact:
Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found...or Not?
Jim Liberty...thanks! I have been on James Dean's Speedster for almost 40 years! Yes, James Dean's 356 Porsche Speedster, #80126 is purported to have been found in the south of France this week. I have known of this rumor for 20 years and in 2004 published the VIN and other pertinent details in Porsche Speedster TYP 540: Quintessential Sports Car. More details will be provided as they become available. #80126 has many 'tattoos' from metal to metal banging in his three races...right front, right rear, driver's door bottom, left rear quarter panel. James Dean had his damage fixed before was traded to Competition Motors in September, 1955. There are other mechanical / structural mods made that I am aware of..to prove or disprove the authentication. As we know...pirates can easily alter the VIN, and engine/tranny parts numbers. I lost track of 80126 which became another SCCA race car during the later 1950's. The Speedster was later heavily race damaged. At some point, the Speedster was shipped to France...where it has been for past 20-25 years. Photo of James Dean /#23F at speed at Palm Springs, March 26, 1955 under copyright of Lee Raskin, JD...not to be reprinted without permission of the author/publisher James Dean: On The Road To Salinas, 2015 I am waiting for more info and photos. I am also in the process of finishing up a new James Dean hard back and would like to include the most recent info on 80126. Lee Raskin lmr356@aol.com
-
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 406
- Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:24 am
- Location: johnson city, tn
Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?
You are the JD expert, Lee !! Keep them honest !!
George Kehler II
1955 Coupe
1971 911 S
1997 993 Targa
1955 Coupe
1971 911 S
1997 993 Targa
- Mark Pribanic
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 2416
- Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:11 pm
- Tag: Drive 'Em!
- Location: Neptune Beach, Florida USA
- Contact:
Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?
Any new foto's of the Speedster surface over the weekend?
Mark Pribanic
Registry# 13617
Florida Owners Group Trustee - 2008-2010
Neptune Beach, Florida USA
Instagram: Mark.Pribanic
Registry# 13617
Florida Owners Group Trustee - 2008-2010
Neptune Beach, Florida USA
Instagram: Mark.Pribanic
-
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:09 am
Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?
I don't remember the auction site for it was many weeks ago that the red jacket Dean wore in Rebel Without A Cause was listed with an opening bid of 450K. That would get you a Speedster and part of another. It is a crazy world.
- Bil Brown
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 907
- Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:36 pm
- Location: Lincoln, NE
Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?
If ever found, no matter what condition.........it would be the most expensive of ALL Speedsters!
Bill Brown
-
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 1981
- Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:50 pm
- Location: Union, New Jersey
Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?
So, Fred...how does the jacket fit?
- Jay Wiener
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 574
- Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 1:27 am
- Location: Los Angeles
- Contact:
Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?
bil brown wrote:If ever found, no matter what condition.........it would be the most expensive of ALL Speedsters!
I might have to go with McQueens BLACK speedster with KNOCKOFFS. Either way, I'd say 7 figures for either
- Jack Walter
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 403
- Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 9:36 pm
Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?
I talked to the guy with the red jacket at the Werks Reunion at Amelia last year - pretty interesting story he told. He left me to watch it for him while he went up to take a look at Dean Jeffries Carrera and grab a hot dog.
The guy who had it was a pinstripe artist and had known Dean Jeffries back in the 1960's.
The guy who had it was a pinstripe artist and had known Dean Jeffries back in the 1960's.
- Ron LaDow
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 8100
- Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:45 am
- Location: San Francisco
Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?
I have to admit to some curiosity regarding the importance of a car once owned by an actor famous for pouting and little else. Other than dying in a road accident, that is.
I saw "Rebel Without a Cause" and wondered why it was filmed; the concession stand was mobbed.
I saw "Rebel Without a Cause" and wondered why it was filmed; the concession stand was mobbed.
Ron LaDow
www.precisionmatters.biz
www.precisionmatters.biz