Posted by We all know James Dean and his reputation as a young rebel, a reputation he earned mainly for playing the lead role in “Rebel Without a Cause” in 1955. After filming the movie, the actor died in an accident involving his car, which he had renamed “Little Bastard.” This episode cemented his status as a cinema legend.
What perhaps not everyone knows is that his car not only caused the death of James Dean, but also that of many other people.
James Dean’s cursed car
On September 30, 1955, the actor was driving his 550 Spyder to California to take part in a car race, but at some point a car with Donald Turnupseed on board cut him off, colliding with Dean’s car and killing the actor instantly.
But this was not the only accident involving the little bastard; here are the others.
After the accident, the wreck of the Spyder was bought by George Barris, the same mechanic who had made the modifications requested by James Dean, such as changing the seat covers and painting the number 130 on the doors, trunk, and hood. While it was being transported, one of the supports gave way and the wreck ended up on a mechanic’s leg, breaking it.
The various parts of the wreck were subsequently sold, while the chassis and bodywork remained in Barris’ garage. The engine was bought by a doctor who liked to take part in car races. During one of these races, he had an accident, injuring himself and killing a race judge.
The tires were purchased by another racing enthusiast who crashed off the road and broke his hand. The person who bought the rear axles and fitted them to his own car also joined the list of victims, as he was left paralysed from the waist down after an accident. The bodywork also claimed another victim, a young man who entered the garage to steal it and cut himself on a piece of sheet metal from the little bastard. Due to the infection caused by the cut, his arm had to be amputated.
The disappearance
Subsequently, the chassis and bodywork were put on public display with a sign warning drivers about speeding, and for 50 cents, people could sit inside.
During the second stage of this initiative, the truck transporting the cursed car was rear-ended, the car came out and hit another car, killing the driver. On another occasion, the brakes on the truck transporting Little Bastard failed and the truck crashed into a shop window.
During the New Orleans stage, the supports holding the car gave way and Little Bastard broke into 11 pieces. It was decided to send them by train to Los Angeles, but when they arrived, the car had disappeared.
Barris, who was still the owner, decided to offer a million dollars to anyone who found it, and even hired private investigators, but nothing more was ever heard of the Little Bastard.
