I saw the TV special and it appeared to use the present highway alignment which as been redone several times in the last 50 years. Shortly before the accident, Dean, dressed as his cowboy character from Giant, filmed a road safety television spot with Hollywood star Gig Young. It was a very, very odd, spooky experience. Photos of Turnupseed's Ford Custom are also included. at the very same intersection where the accident occurred. 85mph. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. The Porsche was loaned to the Los Angeles chapter of the National Safety Council, and from 1957 to 1959, it went on a gruesome tour of car shows, movie theaters, and bowling alleys. In the TV special I saw no mention of the highway redesign. And it was Barris who eventually came to own the deathcar. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. The accident had a profound effect on Turnupseeds family. At 5:45 PM on September 30, 1955, 24-year-old actor James Dean is killed in Cholame, California, when the Porsche he is driving hits a Ford Tudor sedan at an intersection. She suffered severe head trauma. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Wtherich, whose feelings of guilt after the car accident never abated, tried to commit suicide twice during the 1960sand in 1967, he stabbed his wife 14 times with a kitchen knife in a failed. It is a small chunk of aluminum, a few square inches in size, that was allegedly pried off and stolen from an area near the broken windscreen while the Spyder was being stored in the Cholame Garage after the crash. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. "That's something that bothered him his whole life. Make sure that the file is a photo. After commissioning an artist for some body work, James had the artist paint "Little Bastard" on the vehicle. The road shimmers along this route, making it hard to tell where the road ends and the horizon begins. My SUV automatically turns on headlights when the engine starts. As I remember the Highway 41/46 junction, > Turnipseed had the right of way on Highway 41 with Dean approaching > eastbound on Highway 46 controlled by an arterial stop sign. Turnupseed's car was struck by a speeding silver grey PorscheSpyder driven by Dean, who at 24 was the star of three major films. All true. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. The sun is setting behind Jack and Rose as the ship is sailing WEST. He hit a tree and was killed in the same race, and so the curse of Little Bastard gained strength. There are other unconfirmed stories of Little Bastards post-accident life. The James Dean car accident occurred on September 30, 1955, when James Dean was driving his Porsche 550 Spyder to a race in Salinas, California. Nelson arrived just in time to see an unconscious and dying Dean being placed into an ambulance. James Dean and his Porsche Spyder. That's not DonaldTurnupseed," said Wally Nelson, president of Turnupseed Electric inTulare. The accident scene is approximately 100 feet to the south of the current intersection, where the road used to be. In Touch Weekly is part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. Why this kind of inattentive driving isn't illegal everywhere is beyond me. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Try again later. Turnupseeds sister also had a difficult time coping with the accident and committed suicide.
Around 5:45 p.m., a black-and-white 1950 Ford Tudor Custom coupe traveling at high speed was headed east on Route 466 just west of the town of Shandon. Jack Elsom For Mailonline
He was 63. Although he has refused interviews for decades, Turnupseed did speakwith the Tulare Advance Register hours after the crash. Ernest Tripke and his partner, Corp. Ronald Nelson were called to the scene. He turned and found himself face to face with James Dean. Hickman assisted in extricating Dean from the wreckage. "Nelson said. It is not known exactly how Barris knew Eschrich, but in late-1956, Barris announced that he would rebuild the Porsche. Deans posse that day consisted of Porsche mechanic Rolf Wtherich, Warner Bros. Studios stuntman and close friend Bill Hickman and photographer Sanford H. Roth who was shooting photos for an upcoming story of Dean at the races for Colliers magazine. The 48-year old company which employs andaverage of 75 workers, has branch offices in Bakersfield and Fresno andannual sales of about $15 million. James Deans death cemented his reputation as a rebel and an icon of the 1950s. Turnupseed was president of the San Joaquin Valley chapter of NationalElectrical Contractors Association 1990-94. It was Barris who painted the number 130 on the doors, front hood and rear trunk of Deans Posche Spyder. Dean had been given the crude nickname by stunt driver Bill Hickman and the star decided to call his Porsche the same name. The wrecked Spyder was declared a total loss by the insurance company, which paid Deans father, Winton, the fair market value as a settlement. (Unless the production designer for THE GREEN BERETS was somehow involved.). The. > You said much the same thing here when we discussed this in 1999. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Donald Turnupseed emerged virtually unscathed, outside of the emotional damage of Dean's death by his boneheaded move. Donald turned left where the . Share this memorial using social media sites or email. The comments below have not been moderated, By
", Turnupseed's family declined to be interviewed for this story. Guinness appeared in nine of the British Film Institutes 100 greatest British films of the 20th century. Barris claimed that the deathcar mysteriously disappeared in 1960 while returning from a traffic safety exhibit in Florida in a sealed railroad boxcar. What did witnesses say about the accident? He was not ticketed or ever charged with any wrongdoing and he remained a recluse for the rest of his life. With him in the car was his Porsche factory-trained mechanic, Rolf Wtherich. Oops, something didn't work. Dean became a cultural icon following his starring role as troubled teenager Jim Stark in Rebel Without a Cause (1955). "More than likely," hesaid. Just discovered I DO get the National Geographic channel! The route was upgraded and moved slightly north in the 1960s. See post #80 and forward by Trailer Park Playboy (Turnupseed's Grandson). He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg and was part of the unit dispatched to New York City to quell the infamous draft riots there. American Folk Figure. At 5:45 PM on this day in 1955, 24-year-old actor James Dean is killed in Cholame, California, when the Porsche he is driving hits a Ford Tudor sedan at an intersection. Not much time to react for either driver. He did not stop and plowed into the passenger side of Turnipseed's car. "The last 10 years he didn't do that much," Nelsonsaid, "He devoted a lot of time to business. Turnupseed was a 23 year old college student at Cal Poly State University when driving eastbound on Route 466 (later renamed Route 46) when attempting to make a left turn onto Route 41, when he collided with Dean's Porsche traveling in the opposite direction, killing him instantly. My new vlog YouTube link is in the bio. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. -T. Lehrer***~~~~-----------------------------------------------------------------------. Jacks land was eventually sold to the William Randolph Hearst Corporation in 1966 and is still a working cattle ranch today. Turnupseed made a left turn in front of Dean's car as Dean was approaching an intersection. His mother died of a broken heart shortly after the accident. I refer you once again to the web page I cited. The impact sent the Ford almost 40 feet down the road and ejected Wtherich from the Porsche. When people ask me why I do this, I>> say, if James Dean had had his headlights on, he would still be alive>> today.>. A week after that dinner at the Villa Capri, James Dean was dead. In his 1974 book Cars of the Stars George Barris first wrote about the curse and the numerous incidents involving fatal accidents and other serious injuries, but other than the few minor mishaps reported here, researchers have found no evidence to support most of Barris claims. There are interior shots of the wreckage of Dean's car, and one snap reveals the 'Little B*****d' sticker on the bonnet and his racing number, '130'. The Ford, driven by 23-year-old Cal Poly student Donald Turnupseed, was turning at an intersection when the two cars hit almost head-on, resulting in massive damage to Dean's Porsche. On the other hand, getting aticket does have a way of gentling you down for a while. As his star (and income) began to rise, he graduated to the Spyder 550, an ultra-low, rear-engined sports-racer that cost $7000 in the States, the equivalent of two new Cadillacs in 1955. I have no choice but to drive with headlights in the daytime. Next Week-PART II of Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Curse of James Dean. The accident probably causedTurnupseed to be more private still, Paggi said. > Just to amplyfy my post. Donald Gene Turnupseed 1932 - 1995 . His body was battered, and there were numerous broken bones and cuts. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Turnupseeds car crossed into Deans lane while making a left turn. How could the sun be setting behind him? "You could never get close to Don," he said. I find it hard to agree with the statement Turnipseed was at fault. Dean was driving directly into the sun. His mechanic was a passenger. Dean was traveling at a moderate speed estimated to be around 55-60 mph on this isolated road, with the sun in his eyes. On Sept. 30, 1955, iconic actor James Dean and a friend were speeding along Route 466 in Cholame, in his sleek, silver 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder when it slammed head-on into a 1950 Ford Tudor coupe driven by 23-year-old college student Donald Turnipseed. Dean was pronounced dead on arrival at the Paso Robles War Memorial hospital at 6.20pm. Dean, star of "East of Eden" and "Rebel Without a Cause" in 1955 and"Giant in 1956, died in an ambulance headed for a Paso Robles hospital.His mechanic, Rolf Wuetherich, was seriously injured but recovered.Wuetherich died in 1981 in a car crash in West Germany. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. These are the only three such snapshots of the wreck in existence. Sign up for the latest automotive news and videosin short, everything for people who love cars. Dean died in a car crash nearly 65 years ago (September 30, 1955) but he remains a fixture on the pop culture landscape as the gold standard of cool. I do that all the time in light traffic on unpopulated roads. 0 cemeteries found in Tulare, Tulare County, California, USA. You make some good points here. Cars and trucks speed by in both directions and anything short of a cautious drive by is not recommended. While driving on the highway on Sept. 30, 1955, a man named ahem Donald Turnupseed randomly turned left in an intersection and caused Dean to crash his Porsche. Anyone else remember him saying that? By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. Oddly, I happen to have a copy of Dean's death certificate as I know some of the men who signed it (not my Dad, though). Imagine Turnupseeds car bearing left and swerving onto your index finger precisely at the same time as Deans car passes the same spot. According to Barris, during those years 1956 to 1960, a mysterious series of accidents, not all of them car crashes, occurred involving the car resulting in serious injuries to spectators and even a truck drivers death. Turnupseed was coming from the left and made a left turn onto Highway 41. Part of his remaining allure involves his small town genesis, the curse of his death car and an unexpected connection to the Star Wars franchise. What became of James Deans car after the accident? The email does not appear to be a valid email address. which has been redone several times in the last 50 years. The cars mirror finish was accented by the number 130 on the front hood, rear trunk and side doors and the name Little Bastard (designated as such by Dean himself) on the back. never mind that other drivers might not be able to see THEM? Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Imagine that, killing James Dean and never wanting to talk about it. This is a carousel with slides. He will always be remembered as the man who killed James Dean. "You've got to stop," James Dean told Weuterich when he saw Ford's maneuver. Highway officials report that 42 deaths occurred on the road during the 45 years after James Deans passing. The collision was witnessed by several passersby who stopped to help. Much more important to be ticketed than not wearing seat belts, imo. When the case was dropped, he was still in possession of the photographs and being a history buff, made sure they were not destroyed.'. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Please reset your password. what happened to donald turnupseed carBy, May 20, 2021 . I would have loved to have known him more. Would you expect any less from Obi-Wan Kenobi? But that was not the end of the cars story. 'Our father was the attorney for Donald Turnupseed. He was only 24 years old. In a 1977 interview on BBC television, Guinness recounted a prophetic premonition: Exhausted, hungry, feeling a little ill-tempered in spite of Deans kindness, I heard myself saying in a voice I could hardly recognize as my own, Please, never get in it. Guinness said. One thing is certain though, the crash that killed the rising Hoosier movie star succeeded in cementing his status as a legend. Dean was killed instantly, but Little Bastard would go on to cause considerably more trouble. Stop sign or not,though, Turnupseed turned into Dean's lane; there were skid marks toprove it. California Highway Patrol Capt. This browser does not support getting your location. James Dean and Donald Turnupseed, the man whose car killed Dean, meet again for the first time . Donald Turnupseed, escaped the accident with only a gashed forehead and bruised nose. Sorry! When the train arrived in Los Angeles, Barris said he signed the manifest and verified that the seal was intactbut the boxcar was empty. Part of the way on scenic Highway 101 (which I highly recommend should you ever find yourself out that way) and part of the way retracing James Deans final drive. GREAT NEWS! You are most definitely tripping on that. We need all the help we can get out there on the roads and being *seen* is the most important of all. | The H.A.M.B. The. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. How did James Deans death affect his career? At the end of THE GREEN BERETS, the sun sets into the ocean, which is east of Vietnam, the setting of the film. Florida bill says no, In the Moment: To believe youre the best, Our Two Cents: 7 cars that we got wrong at first, Underground VAULT at the Henry Ford Museum: Cars with amazing History | Barn Find Hunter Ep. Shortly after the crash, publicity monger and self-proclaimed King of Kustoms George Barris bought the Spyder, promising to rebuild it. In fact, the new recreation of the crash has determined that Dean's body, which took the full force of the impact, was flung into the passenger seat by the other car in the collision. what happened to donald turnupseed car. As the best I remember at the Highway 41/46 split Turnipseed had the rightof way and Dean had an arterial stop sign. According to Lee Raskin, a Porsche historian who has researched Dean's Spyder, even though Dean had previously raced his Speedster locally and had quickly become known to the Southern California sports car . However Deans riding mechanic Wtherich, a former Luftwaffe glider pilot, recommended that they unloose the car instead by driving it the 300 miles from Hollywood to Salinas so Dean could get more seat time behind the wheel before the race. The car was smashed up when Donald crashed with James Dean in his Porsche. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. Dean was driving around 55-60 miles per hour. Try again. . Dean's "significantly damaged" 1955 Porsche. Dean unleashed his Porsche 550 and left Hickman and the Ford station wagon far behind. Look at this 2004 Turbo Cabriolet, and at the Porsche 550 Spyder that actor James Dean was driving in 1955 when his life ended, and a legend began, after crashing into Donald Turnupseed's Ford. "It was never establishedwhose fault it was. Required fields are marked *. Copyright 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. They reported that both cars were traveling at high speeds and that Deans car had passed Turnupseeds moments before the collision. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Bill, the simulation (with narration) is at the URL I posted. The Spyder also reportedly fell on and killed George Barkus, the driver who transported it to a road-safety expo. Dean's vehicle crashed into a Ford Tudor, driven by 23-year-old Donald Turnupseed. Learn more about merges. 'These never-before-seen images offering an intensely unique perspective of the crash location and the resulting carnage - many of the photos taken only hours after the accident.'. He lived almost 40 years after this accident, and gave only one interview, and that was a day after the accident, and that to his local paper. The day was beginning to fade, and only a black-and-white Ford Tudor car, driven by Donald Turnupseed, a 23-year-old student, was traveling in the opposite direction on 466. Route 466 now known as Route 46 in San Luis Obispo County California. Cops investigate whether electric car was in 'autonomous mode' when it fatally struck a husband and injured his wife as they crossed a San Francisco street, Tragic moment wife tries to stop her husband from walking in front of an out-of-control Tesla that blew through a red light in San Francisco and struck and killed him, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Incredible footage of Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russians in Bakhmut, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' And the fact the ford was partially side swiped adds to that guess. The car itself is a thing of absolute beauty, and its speed and power were enough to lure Dean into making a deal for it. You''ll also find a link to the computer animation they used. What was the reaction to James Deans death? (FA is now known as Exponent, Inc., hence the domain name.). James Deans aluminium-bodied Porsche was launched into the air, torn and crushed. ON This Day In Photos: September 30, 1955 - James Dean killed in a car crash. Thx. "They had a chance to fix it beforedown time.". He handed control of hiscompany to Nelson last year as his lung cancer progressed. Weve updated the security on the site. From 1957 to 1959, the exhibit toured the country in various custom car shows, movie theatres, bowling alleys, and highway safety displays throughout California. Interesting. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. James Deans career as an actor and racer was cut tragically short on September 30, 1955, when his Little Bastard Porsche 550 Spyder was involved in a catastrophic collision on the way to a race meeting. Donald Turnupseed, the Tulare man who quietly built a family business and endeavored to maintain his privacy after being involved in the car accident that killed actor James Dean four. Hickman, following the Spyder in Deans Ford woodie station wagon pulling the trailer, was also ticketed for driving 20 mph over the limit, as the speed limit for all vehicles towing a trailer was 45 mph. Exponent -- which is really very good at this sort of thing-- found that Dean was not speeding at the time of the crash, andprovided ample evidence to back its claim. Cars appear and disappear in vaporous waves of prismic light like an optical illusion as light reflects off the road surface. . Although billed below them, Deans Jet Rink character stole the movie by playing a character who over the course of 40 years goes from cowboy to oil tycoon. Seems that retrospectively, Deans death, like his life, can easily get lost in the legend. Business was his hobby. The simulation appeared to me to be using the highway layout as itexisted in 1955, as compared to contemporary photographs. Poor Donald simply did not see the Sypder coming because of the condition presented by the narrow road and setting sun. "He turned it into a little race car." I was in that restaurant and you couldnt get a table. A road sign rises from the median between the converging lanes ominously proclaiming it as James Dean Memorial Junction. Maybe I'm tripping on that. After being interviewed by the CHP, Turnupseed hitch-hiked in the dark to his home in Tulare. Before the CHP officers arrived, Dean had been pulled from the Spyders mangled cockpit, his left foot having been crushed between the clutch and brake pedal. On advise from la California Highway Patrol officer, Turnupseedhitch-hiked to Tulare after the crash. A copy is posted here in Woodland at Chubby's Diner with other Dean memorabilia. Turnupseed and Dean's passenger, Rolf Wtherich, were both injured in the accident but survived. One of the men mentioned, He had a closed-casket funeral to conceal his severe injuries from his hometown friends and family. These men had been underclassmen at Fairmount high school and relayed stories of encounters with Dean from their school days. Because it was twilight and the color of James's car blended in with the sky Donald couldn't see him. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. James Byron Dead was 24 when he crashed his Porsche 550 Spyder almost head-on with another car driven by Donald Turnupseed, 30 miles east of Paso Robles. The best way you could envision the scene while sitting here in Indiana in the dead of winter would be for you to make a peace sign with the index and middle fingers of your right hand. Hoosier James Dean died in an automobile accident on a desolate stretch of highway in Cholame, California nearly 65 years ago, yet he remains ever present in the collective memory of fans born well after his death. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Dean died almost instantly as a result of several injuries, including a broken neck. Deans performance as Jim Stark, the confused teenager with doting but clueless parents, came to epitomize brooding adolescent behavior. Should dogs put their heads out car windows? As the best I remember at the Highway 41/46 split Turnipseed had the right of way and Dean had an arterial stop sign. "Rob Petrie"