James Dean Movie Car For Sale

Since the vehicle was built for the film they focused on safety as well as performance.
The car features many special attributes that normal Beck Spyders do not.
Many of these were to try to re-create the Dean car as closely as possible while others were to provide
a safe and fully functional vehicle for the actors and stunt people alike to operate.

The car is in excellent condition and has been pampered and stored correctly since filming.
The car has never been registered or used on the street
(except for the occasional romp around the block to keep it all operational).
Piles of documentation comes with the car to prove it's heritage.

Here is a still from the movie showing the painter adding the "Little Bastard" logo upon the tail while
James Dean (James Franco) watches closely.

Another still showing Dean behind the wheel.
In this photo you can clearly see the specially constructed windshield that is unique to the film car.

James Franco signed the inside of the driver's door too.

The condition overall is excellent. Save for a scant few paint chips it appears as new.

Headlight grilles.

The wheels are a 4 lug VW pattern which deviates from the original 550, but were acceptable to the production company
as the car was mostly filmed while in motion, and those scenes when parked were cropped to not show the wheels.

The rear view mirror was another hand crafted item for the film car alone.
Proper Spyder script.

Nice details such as the Nurburgring badge.

Also the Wendler body badge
(original 550 bodies were coachbuilt by Wendler)

The number.

Gorgeous lines to this car...truly one of automotive history's most gorgeous design.

Prop plate was made for the film and remains with the car.

Taillight detail.

Leather straps hold down the engine lid.

The "PORCSHE" plate is not included.
Vehicle is currently un-licensed, having never been registered.
Owner will provide a bill of sale and documents to prove the history of the car.


Mobil flying horse logo on the passenger side front fender.

Front hood detail.

Aluminum flip top fuel cap.
A couple of small stress cracks are visable near the opening.

The windshield was constructed specially for the film.
They wanted the shield to be a certain height. While perhaps not as slick design wise
as the normal windscreen, it does function very well and of course it helps distinguish this as being the actual film
vehicle, rather than a copy of some sort.

Diving into the interior the pleasures continue...

Gorgeous interior, cool racing belts.

Banjo steering wheel.

Porsche VDO guages

Very simple and clean dash.

The car has a tubular frame, not based on a VW platform.
The body wraps around it very neatly.
I love the look of the interior shape of the body.

Hydraulic pedals, pretty hi-tech stuff.

Body tag from Scientific Automotive
These guys did the service on the car I believe.

Door latch.

The mirror was apparantly custom made by the studio for the film car...nice work too...very slick.

The whole rear of the car tilts back to reveal the engine and drivetrain.

Mild performance VW engine pumps out more power than you would ever need in such a light car.

Dual Weber carbs.

Transaxle.
Everything was freshly done at the time of construction, very minimal miles on the car.
Runs and drives excellent.

4 wheel disc brakes provide great stopping ability.
Adjustable rear spring plates let you set the suspension to the desired height.

Engine is very clean.

Merged header exhaust with a single tip...sounds awesome!

Its smiling at you...

Under the front hood is very tiday as well.

Fuel cap detail.

Resevoirs for the hydraulics.

So...there you have it.
A very well built 550 Spyder replica, never registered, used only in the film.
Great documentation of the film use including photos and the actor's autograph on the door.
A unique opportunity to aquire a bit of movie history along with a great play toy that will be sure to provide years
of enjoyment.

SOLD!