seller is offering the actual Buick that Jane Mansfield was killed in. seems kinda morbid if you ask me. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966...ryZ80732QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Wow, that's a lot of money for a totally wrecked Buick. I guess whoever buys it won't be restoring it due to its history?
I wonder what Mariska thinks of this auction. Her and her brothers Zoltan and Mickey Jr. were in the back seat of a car when it crashed.
Damn, I love living in North Carolina Some sick b-st-rd bought mansfields death car. thats bad enough, but to then try to sell it for a profit. Andy & Barney would arrest him for being a sick SOB.:moonu: I do love N.C. but some people
Ever read the story on James Dean's death car? Talk about creepy. From Wikipedia- The "curse" of "Little Bastard" Since Dean's death, his Porsche 550 Spyder became infamous for being the vehicle that killed not only him, but for injuring and killing several others in the years following his death. In view of this, many have come to believe that the actor's vehicle and all of its parts were cursed. Legendary Hot Rodder George Barris bought the wreck for $2,500, only to have it slip off its trailer and break a mechanic's leg. Soon afterwards, Barris sold the engine and drive-train, respectively, to physicians Troy McHenry and William Eschrid. While racing against each other, the former would be killed instantly when his vehicle spun out of control and crashed into a tree, while the latter would be seriously injured when his vehicle rolled over while going into a curve. Barris later sold two tires, which malfunctioned as well. The tires, which were unharmed in Dean's accident, blew up simultaneously causing the buyer's automobile to go off the road. Subsequently, two young would-be thieves were injured while attempting to steal parts from the car. When one tried to steal the steering wheel from the Porsche, his arm was ripped open on a piece of jagged metal. Later, another man was injured while trying to steal the bloodstained front seat. This would be the final straw for Barris, who decided to store "Little Bastard" away, but was quickly persuaded by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to lend the wrecked car to a highway safety exhibit. The first exhibit from the CHP featuring the car ended unsuccessfully, as the garage storing the Spyder went up in flames, destroying everything except the car itself, which suffered almost no damage whatsoever from the fire. The second display, at a Sacramento High School, ended when the car fell, breaking a student's hip. "Little Bastard" caused problems while being transported several times. On the way to Salinas, the truck containing the vehicle lost control, causing the driver to fall out, only to be crushed by the Porsche after it fell off the back. On two separate occasions, once on a freeway and again in Oregon, the car came off other trucks, although no injuries were reported, another vehicle's windshield was shattered in Oregon. Its last use in a CHP exhibit was in 1959. In 1960, when being returned to George Barris in Los Angeles, California, the car mysteriously vanished. It has not been seen since.[46][47]
I would question that big time if it is a valid sale and not a scam. I do know the car still exists in its crashed condition. Who knows there is always a buyer for everythinig. Just think if the James Dean's Porsche was available to sell or the limo that JFK was killed in. It's not my bag to hold onto or buy goulish things, but I would bet there are people out there that would want these things. Just do a search on the house where Lizzy Bordon hacked away at her parents. There was a TV program about it and it mentioned that the house is a Bed & Breakfast place now. And they advertise that you can sleep in the very room she did her best chopping at. The place is always booked! Possibly a museum on famous people. You would find a display on the persons career and demise and along on display would be the car. You know I would bet ya that in a museam people would not think twice on paying to see this stuff.
The Mansfield wreck happened on the Mississippi coast when the car went under a semi . The pictures I saw many years ago showed a different damage . But then I could have seen what was supposed the car . Strange someone would haul the car from the coast to wherever it is now . I guess different strokes for different folks . Over the years I have built a lot of wrecks with blood in them and a couple with fatalities and get a very uncomfortable feeling when working on them .
Not for me, but I am sure someone out there would like to have it. It is a piece of history. CREEPY history.
There's nothing ghoulish or creepy about owning or fixing a "death car." What is creepy is wanting it BECAUSE it is a death car. Whether the 550 Spyder was "cursed" is open to debate, but it's value is not. If found, it would certainly be restored and probably blessed by a priest or shaman, or whoever the owner thought could lift the "curse." Its rarity and value would guanrantee its resurrection. Speaking of 550 Spyders, there was real one in beautiful shape being wrung out at the Mid-Ohio vintage races a week ago. I got some pics of it and it. Gorgeous car! Dan
Looks like the listings been removed. Makes ya wonder, huh? Maybe it wasn't the real deal, after all.
Hey Mike, We could re-build Mansfield's car and let Joe test drive it!!! Just throw a calzone in the front seat...or hang it off of the mirror...whatcha think??? :laugh:
Bruce , I on for the rebuild , I can get my port-a-power out and push the windshield frame up out of the driver seat and the hood is already off , so thats not a problem . What you want to do about the roof , convertable or pull it back in place ??? I'm not too good at interior detaining on one like this . I will do the body work you do the interior .
Let's go vert on it.. that way Joe will see the calzone from the mirror dangling in front of him.... sure I'll take the interior...Joe will be sitting on a milk crate... :laugh:
You sure it was a real one Dan? There's a couple of companies ot there that make gorgeous replicas. http://www.thunderranch.com/550.html http://www.automotivelegends.com/ I'm sure they all have the James Dean edition
Bruce, Game on brother . where we going to do the work ? I can move stuff around and do here if you want . Do you need me to handle transportation ?
Sure the more the merrier . so when we are captured we are all going to the looney farm , we will have a lot in common and talk about our Buicks .
Hey Pop come on over , but you will have to be a bit sick and twisted to participate in this social event . Alcohol during the car prep is not an option , it is a necessity ! Any sorted or demented ideas will be appreciated and welcome .
