James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?

356 Porsche-related discussions and questions.
Message
Author
User avatar
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?

#1 Post by Mark Pribanic »

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.
Mark Pribanic
Registry# 13617
Florida Owners Group Trustee - 2008-2010
Neptune Beach, Florida USA
Instagram: Mark.Pribanic

User avatar
Adam Wright
Classifieds Monitor
Posts: 10304
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:00 am
Tag: KTF

Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?

#2 Post by Adam Wright »

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. There seem to be conflicting stories.

I'm also a firm believer in pics.
Attachments
pribanicbus.JPG
www.unobtanium-inc.com
Check out my Barn Find column in the Registry magazine, always looking for good stories.

User avatar
GregVandenbussche
356 Fan
Posts: 339
Joined: Wed May 29, 2013 5:36 pm
Location: San Francisco

Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?

#3 Post by GregVandenbussche »

found on a dutch website:
carte grise (pink-slip) with number 80126 picture:
Image
Bt5 Super - used to be fjord green, was painted brass, then brown... sadness

User avatar
Martin Benade
356 Fan
Posts: 12189
Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:52 am
Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?

#4 Post by Martin Benade »

They have a car to go along with the key?
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna

User avatar
Jules Dielen
356 Fan
Posts: 3166
Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:25 pm
Location: Arizona

Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?

#5 Post by Jules Dielen »

nice recent repro key fob too. those are not the 'proof' pictures :(
Jules

Water pumps are for windshield washers only.

User avatar
Jim Liberty
356 Registry Member
Posts: 4313
Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 3:47 pm
Tag: Jim
Location: Orange Co., CA
Contact:

Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?

#6 Post by Jim Liberty »

Unless Lee Raskin says so. It ain't true. .................Jim.
Jim Liberty

User avatar
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?

#7 Post by lee raskin »

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
Attachments
JD Palm Springs  Keyser clean up 01.jpg

George Kehler
356 Fan
Posts: 406
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:24 am
Location: johnson city, tn

Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?

#8 Post by George Kehler »

You are the JD expert, Lee !! Keep them honest !!
George Kehler II

1955 Coupe
1971 911 S
1997 993 Targa

User avatar
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?

#9 Post by Mark Pribanic »

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

Hermage Coward
356 Fan
Posts: 90
Joined: Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:09 am

Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?

#10 Post by Hermage Coward »

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.

User avatar
Bil Brown
356 Fan
Posts: 907
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:36 pm
Location: Lincoln, NE

Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?

#11 Post by Bil Brown »

If ever found, no matter what condition.........it would be the most expensive of ALL Speedsters!
Bill Brown

Geoff Fleming
356 Fan
Posts: 1972
Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:50 pm
Location: Union, New Jersey

Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?

#12 Post by Geoff Fleming »

So, Fred...how does the jacket fit?

User avatar
Jay Wiener
356 Fan
Posts: 572
Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 1:27 am
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?

#13 Post by Jay Wiener »

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

User avatar
Jack Walter
356 Fan
Posts: 403
Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 9:36 pm

Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?

#14 Post by Jack Walter »

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.
Attachments
redjacket.jpg

User avatar
Ron LaDow
356 Fan
Posts: 8092
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:45 am
Location: San Francisco

Re: James Dean's 1954 Speedster Found?

#15 Post by Ron LaDow »

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.
Ron LaDow
www.precisionmatters.biz

Post Reply