[Alvin]

James Dean and his "'Lil Bastard" Porsche "before"



And "after" accident scene of his death from t-bone collison by full size '56 FORD station-wagon

[MikeNoun]

The Monaco Grand Prix in the 60's.

[Jeff Hamlin]

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Alvin

James Dean and his "'Lil Bastard" Porsche "before"



And "after" accident scene of his death from t-bone collison by full size '56 FORD station-wagon

Originally Posted by Jeff Hamlin

Thx for posting this Jeff...from your pic can see the Ford behind James Dean and the ride height and why he never had a chance after being t-boned by same type vehicle...

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Alvin

James Dean and his "'Lil Bastard" Porsche "before"



And "after" accident scene of his death from t-bone collison by full size '56 FORD station-wagon

Originally Posted by Jeff Hamlin

Another "before"

[U47]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Another "before"

The collision was with a 1950 Ford sedan

[Alvin]

Yes and if you go back several (many really) pages to see the original posts that too was covered. Along with various recreations over time and eye-witness and German Mechnaic passenger recounting the accident.

The wagon in the color pic is same as the B&W above...

[MikeNoun]

Oscar Koveleski's 1971 Can-Am car, sponsored by Auto World. In the days before the web, Auto World was THE best mail order company for automotive plastic models and slot cars. Notice the wide stripe that forms a ring around Koveleski's car is a slot car track.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

The Monaco Grand Prix in the 60's.

Besides the obvious dude by BP Signage Pole - Take a close look at all of the people standing in harms way - like guy in door opening, peeps behind flimsy wood-wire fence...and how about that flammable hay barrier? Yikes!

But "that's how we rolled back then!"

[67post3spd]

"And "after" accident scene of his death from t-bone collison by full size '56 FORD station-wagon "


Looks to be 49 thru 51 shoebox ford. Mild custom at that.

[Jack Gifford]

Originally Posted by 67post3spd

... 49 thru 51 shoebox ford. Mild custom at that...

'55 Pontiac side trim on Fords was a very popular custom touch.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Jack Gifford

'55 Pontiac side trim on Fords was a very popular custom touch.

Thanks for that heads up! I thought for sure that was 55 Pontiac trim on that custom two-tone Ferd, which must've been somewhat expensive back then (in 1955) to have brand-new model trim, yes?

Remember my mothers' White "shoe box" '50 Ford was one of my favorites when I was a kid...I now laughingly recall telling him (my Dad) I didn't like that he sold it in trade for a '56 which was black & white factory paint...FWIW.

[Alvin]

Anyone recognize this 1964 GTO?

[U47]

About the crash scene. Dean was traveling west from Lost Hills at a fairly high rate of speed ( two lane opposed traffic even to this day in a rural setting is 55 mph) the time is near dusk. Reports at the time and at crash scenes today at this intersection, and this I can attest to the sun traveling west is right in your eyes. Driving east at before sunset make the cars coming toward you blend into the hills in the background. I'll bet that silver Porsche was nearly invisible. I have seen hits and many near misses at that intersection because the car traveling east can't see you and in many cases if you are traveling west you can't see them because of the sun. These factors plus Deans high rate of speed spelled disaster.
I had a guy turn in on me once and because he was the only car in opposed traffic I swerved into opposing lane to miss his turn in. It happens there all the time. All these years and the state has done a little re-alignment but it's basically the same.