The legend of James Dean’s Porsche 550 Spyder—affectionately (and perhaps prophetically) nicknamed "Little Bastard"—is one of Hollywood’s most enduring ghost stories. While skeptics point to a series of tragic coincidences and the marketing savvy of car customizer George Barris, the "curse" has a body count that makes it hard to ignore.
The Ominous Beginning
Dean bought the car on September 21, 1955. Just seven days before his death, he showed the car to fellow actor Alec Guinness (the future Obi-Wan Kenobi). Guinness reportedly felt a "sinister" vibe from the vehicle and told Dean:
- "Please never get in it... if you get in that car, you will be found dead in it by this time next week."
Exactly seven days later, on September 30, Dean was killed when his Porsche collided with a Ford Tudor at a highway junction in California.
The Trail of "Jinxed" Incidents
After the crash, the remains of the car allegedly left a path of destruction for anyone who touched it:
- The Killer Parts: The engine and drivetrain were sold to two doctors, William Eschrich and Troy McHenry. During a race in 1956, McHenry’s car (using the transmission) hit a tree, killing him. Eschrich (using the engine) was seriously injured when his car locked up and flipped.
- The Exploding Tires: Two tires salvaged from the wreck were sold to a young driver; both reportedly blew out simultaneously, causing his car to veer off the road.
- The "Vengeful" Shell: George Barris bought the mangled chassis to display it for highway safety exhibits. According to Barris:
- While in storage, the garage caught fire, destroying everything except the Porsche.
- While being transported, the car fell off a flatbed and crushed a mechanic's leg.
- At a school exhibit, the car fell off its pedestal and broke a student's hip.
- A truck driver hauling the car died when he was thrown from his cab and the Porsche slid off the trailer and landed on him.
The Final Mystery: Where is it?
In 1960, while being shipped in a sealed boxcar from Florida back to Los Angeles, the car vanished. When the train arrived and the seal was broken, the boxcar was empty. To this day, the main chassis of "Little Bastard" has never been found.
| Current Status of Known Parts | Location |
| Transaxle (Transmission) | Purchased in 2021 for $382,000; currently at Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum in Las Vegas. |
| Engine | Traced to various private collectors over the decades. |
| Chassis/Body | Missing (last seen in 1960). |
Note on the "Curse": Many historians believe George Barris exaggerated or even fabricated some of these stories to keep the car’s legend alive. However, the confirmed deaths of McHenry and Dean, coupled with the car's vanishing act, have kept the "jinx" alive for over 70 years.
Google Gemini AI
16/2/2026: 7.43 p.m
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