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May I ask, because I'm interested, but what was so different about JD's Speedster? Wasn't it just a standard configuration in white with black interior, bumperettes, and a 1500 Super? Or is it just the fact that he owned it and you're making your reproduction in the same configuration? How will you recreate the dent on the driver's side behind the door? Just kidding of course on the dent.

You may have some difficulties driving the car without mirrors since those are legally required now, but you would probably get away with it for a while. And it's just a fix-it ticket anyway.

Last edited by Robert M

Robert,

There was nothing particularly special about James Dean's Speedster. As you mentioned, it was a pretty standard car with the exception of being one of the first to have the Super motor. 

The main interest is that everyone associates Dean with the 550 as that is the car that he dies in. The fact is that he spent much more time in this Speedster that he custom ordered and raced it also. He never got a chance to race the 550. 

My interest was in making a car that tries to stay true to the spirit of that Dean Speedster although we cannot get every detail correct. Then, we will be dong a cross country drive on Rt 66 when possible and stopping at the Dean family farm in Indiana. You can learn a lot more about the overall project and the initial idea at the website below. 

https://speedsterdreams.com

Let me know if you have any questions.

Patric

Remember the last guy who posted about his trip from the west coast to the east coast, partly on Rte 66? The artist guy who was going to come to Carisle and beat the daylights out of all of us.

I hope there isn't a curse.

Yep, @Panhandle Bob, I do.  He had a website, too.  And a deadline.  And a film crew!

Didn't his car start self-destructing about 100 miles after he picked it up? Or am I thinking about someone else?

I am not aware of that story. Fill me in. What happened? Who built the car?

He commissioned an IM to honor his dad who had an early convertible D IIRC. He didn't like the paint, he said the alignment was off and wore out the tires after a couple days of driving, couldn't synch the carbs, threw a rod, and etc etc.

Asked how we liked his choices and if you didn't agree with him he'd berate you. Was argumentative at every opportunity, chastised us for asking questions, spent a frunk load of money to chronicle his trip with a film crew, and on and on.

Got himself banned from this site for his generally rude and uncivil attitude. Was also banned from several other websites for the same behavior. He has several names he uses on different sites. On TheSamba he is Eric Marshall Green, on FB he's Kelly Harris, and I believe I've seen at least one other name. Pretty sure they banned him from TheSamba. He's been more tame on the 356 group on FB but he has his moments. And don't act underwhelmed with anything he says his father accomplished in his life. That'll set him off.

Last edited by Robert M

Well, I can say that I am truly approaching this from a humble spot. I want to have the cross country experience with a friend from the Navy from nearly 30 years ago. Just wanting to share here and certainly don't think I know it all in any way.

I have done cross country trips in several actual Porsches, but this is a first in a reproduction car. Should be an adventure. Hopefully one that is a good one.

I am not aware of that story. Fill me in. What happened? Who built the car?

If you must, you can search the forum on Eric Marshall Green, but I don't recommend it other than as a cautionary tale of how not to behave.  He's been disked off of every forum he's ever been on as far as I know.

I think the take away on the car falling apart was that he set off on a cross country trip in a car that hadn't been sorted.  These are custom built cars, a mix of old and new, and each is different from any other no matter how many have been built just like it.  One wouldn't have set off cross country trip right from the dealer in a '58 speedster back in the day, either.  There was break-in to do and problems expected during break-in that would need seeing to before a long journey was undertaken.  We pay tribute to more than just the look!!!

Should be an adventure. Hopefully one that is a good one.

I have a friend who has done tens of thousands of motorcycle miles all over the world. He told me once as I set off from his house in Ft Collins on a cross country trip on my Ducati  that a 19th century explorer once described adventure as "Misery recounted at leisure."

My best advice for a successful adventure?

  • Put a thousand miles or so on your car before you leave
  • Learn everything you can about your car before you leave
  • Carry tools
  • Carry spares
  • Dont have deadlines

This isn't a car you can have AAA tow to the nearest garage to have repairs done. The more self-reliant you can be the more fun you'll have. 

THIS ^^^^^! I've never understood the fascination with the dead actor.

Do you know how many times I've heard "Isn't this the same car JD died in?" when I pump gas? Think about how many times I've pumped 6 or 7 gallons over 15 years and 45K miles into my Spyder.

I do understand the Speedster/Dean thing a little. He certainly owned a Speedster a LOT longer than a Spyder.

However, Baskin-Robbins makes a lot of flavors, so I applaud you chasing your dream, Speedster Dreams. I wish you well on your journey, and I will be looking forward to pictures/videos and updates along the way.

@DannyP posted:

THIS ^^^^^! I've never understood the fascination with the dead actor.

Do you know how many times I've heard "Isn't this the same car JD died in?" when I pump gas? Think about how many times I've pumped 6 or 7 gallons over 15 years and 45K miles into my Spyder.

I do understand the Speedster/Dean thing a little. He certainly owned a Speedster a LOT longer than a Spyder.

However, Baskin-Robbins makes a lot of flavors, so I applaud you chasing your dream, Speedster Dreams. I wish you well on your journey, and I will be looking forward to pictures/videos and updates along the way.

Lol. One of my neighbors is adamant that I take my Spyder on an odyssey to Indiana to Dean’s birthplace and memorial. He think I owe to him and my car. 

OTOH, I’ll admit I’ve explained my car more than once to people who are unfamiliar as “a replica of the type of car Dean was killed in.”  Then the light goes on. 

Last edited by dlearl476
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