Porsche / Hollywood / racing fans will recall that it was 54 years ago today that James Dean died, driving his new Porsche Spyder 550 from his home in Los Angeles, to a weekend of racing, in Salinas, California. Dean was northbound on California Highway 46, probably going over 70 miles per hour, when Donald Turnipseed (in a Ford sedan) turned left in front of Dean, hitting the Porsche and killing Dean instantly. [Here is an interesting new webpage, that reconstructs the accident.] James Dean died at 3:45 (California time) that afternoon.
Less well known is that fact that I was born that same day, exactly 10 minutes after James Dean died.
So remember James Dean today, and send me a vintage (1955) Heuer for my birthday!!
Jeff
