The “Little Bastard”
The “Little Bastard”
The car was a silver convertible Porsche 550 owned by James Dean. Its number was 130 (VIN 550-0055) emblazoned on the hood. The name “Little Bastard” was painted just under the Porsche emblem on the engine cover. The car leaves behind a trail of wreckage much longer than just Dean himself. It is still a mystery why owner James Dean named his car the Little Bastard.
| Name | The “Little Bastard” |
| Other names | James Dean’s car |
| Origin | 1955 |
| Country / Location | USA |
| Famous for | cursed car |
Facts about The “Little Bastard”
- Actor James Dean, who owned the car died in an accident following a week of its purchase.
- British actor Alec Guinness wrote in his unpublished diaries and letters that the sports car looked sinister to him. It was when James first showed him the car, he 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.’”
- There is also a CURSE revolving around the Porsche. The curse of Little Bastard has become part of America’s cultural mythology.
- Following Dean’s accident, the car was sold to one of his racing competitors. The Porsche was then stripped of its usable parts, with the remains sold to legendary car customizer George Barris.
- After Barris bought the car, it slipped off a trailer and crushed one of his mechanic’s legs.
- According to the myth, George Barris, who says he was the first to purchase the wrecked car (After James’ accident) has described a mysterious series of accidents. Not all the accidents were car crashes though there have been occurred many weird events.
- The accidents have occurred from 1956 to 1960 involving the “Little Bastard”. The events involved serious injuries to spectators and even a truck driver’s death.
- Many of the curses that have been heard by the people are based on Barris’ 1974 book, Cars of the Stars.
- Some of the stories include accidents involving cars using salvaged parts from the Porsche. According to the curse, thieves that tried to try to steal it were injured in the process.
- It also says a story where a garage that housed the car went up in flames. In the fire, was virtually undamaged.
- Once the car was being shipped from Miami to Los Angeles in 1960 after Barris lent the Porshe to the National Safety Council, which used it to promote car safety, it mysteriously vanished and has been missing ever since.
- In 2005, the Volo Auto Museum in Chicago announced a public offer of $1 million to buy the car from whoever had it.
