James Dean And His Silver Porsche 550 Spyder

James Dean's “Little Bastard” Silver Porsche 550 Spyder. This shot was taken just hours before Jimmy’s tragic death.

James Dean’s love for speed, racing and “living on the edge” are all well documented in many books, documentaries and bios.  What is fascinating is the tremendous staying power, cult status and curse stories that surround not just James Dean, but also the 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder that he tragically lost his life in.  The Porsche 550 Spyder is now forever linked with James Dean– it’s nearly impossible to recount one icon without the other.

James Dean (with friend / mechanic Rolf) and his 1955 Silver Porsche 550 Spyder– “Little Bastard”

James Dean’s success in Hollywood afforded him the luxury of indulging in a love of race cars– Porsches to be specific.  His first Porsche was a Speedster convertible, but when the opportunity arose to upgrade to the new performance-driven 550 Spyder– it was a no-brainer.  Dean set out right away on putting his unique mark on the racer and called on George Barris, known as King of the Kustomizers (Barris later built the original Batmobile & Munster Koach), to get to work on the Spyder.  Legend has it that under Jimmy’s guidance, Barris added custom tartan covered seats to the new Spyder.  The large “130” racing number on the doors, hood and engine cover, and the now infamous “Little Bastard” badge, were applied by another auto legend– master pinstriper and customizer Dean Jeffries who had a shop next to George Barris.  True to the legendary curse, the possessed Porsche did not fail to live up to it’s name.

September 1955, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA — Actor James Dean gives a thumbs-up sign from his Porsche 550 Spyder,  while parked on Vine Street in Hollywood. Dean, who had taken up racing the year before, owned the car only nine days when he lost his life in a fatal highway accident while driving the Porsche to a Salinas race.

January 1954, Palm Springs, CA. Original caption that ran with the news of Dean’s death– Young Movie Star Killed in Auto Accident. Los Angeles, California: James Dean, 24 year old movie actor who shot to stardom in his first picture,  was killed last night at the wheel of his $7,000 racing car when he collided with another auto on a highway intersection near Paso Robles, Cal. This photo, showing Dean in the cockpit of his Porsche sports car, was made after he won a race at Palm Springs last January. He is talking to Ed Kretz, motorcycle racer. Dean was driving a new Porsche Spyder when he was killed.