Celebrities And Their Luxury Cars
James Dean – 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder., ~ $3.68 million ($6,800 in the 1950s)
James Dean is considered a cultural icon by many, even though his Hollywood career was cut short by a deadly car accident in 1955. He is known for films like Giant, East of Eden, and Rebel Without a Cause. When Dean was filming Rebel Without a Cause, he upgraded his car from a Porsche 356 Speedster to a Porsche 550 Spyder. The actor sought the help of Hollywood car customizer George Barris when he wanted to make the 550 uniquely his own.
Dean had the number ‘130’ put on the car’s engine cover, doors, and hood, replaced the original seats with Tartan seats, and had two red stripes painted over the rear wheels. When Star Wars actor Alec Guinness saw the newly jazzed up car, he pointed out to Dean how sinister it looked and that if he continued to drive it, in a week he’ll be dead. Unfortunately, Guinness’ words proved eerily true, because 7 days later Dean died in a car accident driving the same ‘sinister’ car.
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