The James Dean Saga

[Cal Metal]

This is something I posted earlier in 2001. Thought it might be of interest to some.

1999
Location: Menomonie, Wisconsin
Posts: 1847



2002 Contributing Member



Cobra Make & Engine: CSX 2189

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I am reproducing this article for CC from my good friend, Ernie Nagamatsu, who, in addition to owning the famous 'Ole Yeller II, has a CSX 2000 & 3000 Cobra. Ernie is a prolific writer about So. Cal. racing in the early days. This piece I thought would interest all of you.

"In the early l950's, the Santa Barbara Road Races would draw up to 25,000 racing fans. In the early days of Sports Car racing the cars had to be street legal, headlights taped, and numbers taped on the sides.

The very first road race was held in September, l953 and the event was sponsored by the Cal Sports Car Club with the Santa Barbara Junior Chamber of Commerce. Yes, "those were the thrilling days" as John Hart (Lone Ranger '52-'53), Singer Herb Jeffries, and international Diplomat/Playboy-Porfirio Rubirosa (Zsa Zsa Gabor) raced the circuit that was shaped like a lobster claw. Even one member of the great Kingston Trio raced, as singer, Nick Reynolds, raced a new Lotus 22 and crashed the first day. Dan Hogan remembers being on the grid with the legendary actor, James Dean, as Santa Barbara would be Dean's last Sports Car race.

The racing career of Dean was very short and started with the purchase of a used MG TA in May of l955. Dean bought a Porsche Speedster 1500 and raced the car at the Palm Springs Road Races in March, as he finished second in the finals. He raced again at Minter field in Bakersfield and finished first in his class and third overall behind Joe Playn's MG Special and John Kunstle's Panard Special. Veteran race driver, Joe Playn, remembers Dean well, as he raced several times with Dean. During the technical check session prior to Santa Barbara race in Pasadena, Dean wanted to buy the first MG Special from Playn. Memorial day was the Santa Barbara Road Races and Dean was racing up to 4th spot with the Speedster when a piston let go and he did not finish the race. He was listed in the race program for the Labor Day Road Races at Santa Barbara in September, but he had to withdraw because of an engine problem. A press release stated on September 16 that..."James Dean plans to go on a racing kick when "Giant" (movie) ends.

On September 21, l955 Dean traded in his Porsche Speedster for a more powerful and race designed Porsche 550 Spyder. It was on September 30th. that Dean and his mechanic were in the 550 spyder heading for the Salinas races when Dean died in an accident with another car from Cholame".



[This message has been edited by Cal Metal (edited 02-05-2001).]