James Dean Porsche Pictures

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James Dean always liked to live dangerously
His first toy was a motorized bicycle with wich he terorized his neigbourhood
Growing in age he had several motorcycles






With his first film fees he bought a MG TF but was quickly desapointed by the poor performances and bad handling of this already outfashionned car
When he saw the first 356 he realized that this car had everything he had dream and very quickly issue an order at John Von Neumann garage Competition Motors

Early 1955 he took delivery of a white 356 1500 Super speedster vin number 80126

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in the SCCA




James idea when choosing a 356 1500 speedster, was to race it
His engine capacity allow him to race in the less tha

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His engine capacity allow him to enter it in the less than 1.5 Liter category ie against less performing cars than a Porsche as you may see on this pic of the start of the first James Dean race P

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Sorry wrong post again
I restart
On the below pic taken during the Palm Springs race March 26th/27th 1955 the first race where James Dean enter his speedster you may see the king of cars competing in the less than 1.5 L category

The professionnal pilots were not happy to see a movie star accompanied by an escort of pretty girls

and an army of journalists joining them
The first day of the competition March 26th was dedicated to the qualification
For that race the grid position was decided by draw
Jimmy started in 15th position but very quickly he pa

[Porschinelle]

Again wrong post
Jimmy started in 15th position but very quickly helped by the maniability and the power of his speedster he quickly was in first position
After 8 laps he finish first over 500 meters ahaead of the second
Professionnal pilots find it less funny
The second day March 27thy, consist in a 27 laps race
James Dean more dangerous competitors were two MG special as Ken Miles one

James Dean finish the race 3rd behind the two MG, but soon after Ken Miles was disqualified and Jimmy got the second place
This time Jimmy gain the respect of the other pilots
James Dean speedster between two races

Maintenance





James Dean in action

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To be continued by the second James Dean race with his speedster Bakerfied April 30th/May 1st 1955

[356]

Absolutely enjoyed this series Gerard.
~Vance

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Thanks Vance

Bakerfield race April 30th/May 1st


One month after Palm Springs, Jimmy was back to racing in Bakerfield
The Sunday for the qualifying race he was 3rd overall and first in class
The Sunday he finish 8th overall but the competitors level was a lot higher than in Palm Springs
In paticular Jimmy had to compete against at least 2 off 550 spyders one being Von Neumann one's

T
The starting line

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Bakersfield race was decisive in James Dean destiny for two reasons :
First one that was where James meet Rolf Wutherich for the first time
Rolf Wutherich a race Mecanic in the Stuttgart Porsche team with several attendance to the Le Mans, Mille Miglia and Targa Florio races, was sent early 1955 by Porsche plant to assist and train Von Neumann first 550 spyder customers
Secondly James was already tired of his speedster and was looking for a more performing race car
On the below pic he admire a bright new 550






James Dean seated in Bill Pringle Ferrari Mondial 500 M


Dean in action during the race




Dean before the start

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Loading the 356 speedster after the race

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Now what would be his 3rd and last race : Santa Barbara May 28th/29th 1955


This race was less successfull than the 2 first ones
He qualyfied in 18th position
Driving hard as seen on these 2 pics
chasing a Simca special

James Dean speedster showing the mark of his hard driving on the right back wing

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James Dean succeed to gain the 4th position overall but had to stop racing after having burn a piston

Some more pics taken during the Santa Barbara race

James with friends Stevfe Rowlands and

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posted to fast the girl is Kathy Case
Some more



Dean with some of his trophees and helmet

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and now two a videos summarizing James Dean 3 off races

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCsFwXvvHjs