Little Bastard LbNA #12605

At 3:30 pm September 30, 1955 a Highway Patrolman clocked the little silver 550 Porsche Spyder at 65 mph in a 45mph zone. On hwy 99 near Lamont, Ca. James Dean gave his last autograph. In the car Dean named “Little Bastard” was Rolf Wutherich his friend and mechanic, and following behind in a Ford Station Wagon were Sanford Roth and Bill Hickman and all were headed to a race at the Salinas Airport. Resuming their trip they headed north on hwy 99 to hwy 466 (now 46). The quick little Porsche left the slower 1955 Ford Station Wagon behind as the two cars climbed Polonio Pass. The downgrade of Polonio Pass toward Cholame leads directly into the “Y” intersection of Highways 46 and 41. Donald Turnupseed (yes, that was his real name) a student at Cal Poly SLO was heading home to Tulare on hwy 41. “Just past Cholame” he said,” he slowed down, glanced up the hill for oncoming traffic, then crossed the centerline to continue turning left onto Hwy 41”. Turnupseed’s 1950 Ford and Dean’s Porsche hit nearly head-on with Dean’s car ending up in a roadside ditch. Dean was DOA at the hospital and Wutherich suffered a smashed jaw, broken leg, and multiple cuts and abrasions after being thrown from the car, while Turnupseed had a gashed forehead and bruises. No charges were filed against Turnupseed as the authorities ruled that on the downgrade the Porsche had accelerated to an estimated 85 mph, and due to the lighting (dusk) and color of the Porsche, silver-gray, the small car could not be easily seen. Just before the impact, Dean remarked to Wutherich that the other car was bound to see them. James Dean is buried in Fairmount, Indiana and even today many visitors come to the actor’s final resting place.

Was this car jinxed? Dean’s friend Alec Guinness told him to get rid of it or he would be dead in a week. Dean’s girlfriend Ursula Andress refused to get in it. Actor Nick Adams said it made him uncomfortable. After the crash George Barris purchased the car, and he decided to sell the usable parts. His mechanic had part of the car fall on him and he suffered a broken leg. The engine and drive train were sold to Dr. Troy McHenry, and Dr. Wm. Escrid, both died in separate racing accidents while using the parts. Two of the tires and wheels were purchased only to have them both blow out at the same time. The Ca. Hwy Patrol used the vehicle in a safety exhibit, and while on display at Sacramento High School the car fell off it’s stand and broke a student’s hip. After a safety exhibit in Florida, the car was crated up and shipped back to California. Upon arrival George Barris found that the crates were empty. The car has not been found, probably because no one wanted to look for it.
This story cannot be debunked by snopes.com.
Clues:
Just west of the convergence of Hwys 41 and 46 park in the large parking area next to Jack Ranch café. After looking at the Memorial cross the road to a pipe gate northeast from the memorial. From the gate head 18 steps at 140 degrees to a multi trunked tree. The 4” diameter brown duct taped covered metal letterbox can be found in the crotch of this tree. After stamping in take some time and look a little further east along the telephone pole lines, and you will be looking at the old route of hwy 466 and toward the crash site.
Please close the gate behind you. You will note the absence of No Trespassing signs, and that is the way it should remain.


When researching our clues please be aware that when previous searchers list “ATTEMPTED” on the clue sheets it may reflect more on their abilities as finders than indicate whether the box is viable or not. We do monitor our clues and boxes pretty well and appreciate the notes written to us by those that find or attempt our letterboxes.

Please contact placer directly or through the LBNA chat list regarding status rather than unofficial databases. Up to date status can only be ascertained from placer, as other information services will not have current data. The placer does not appreciate listing information about this letterbox on unauthorized information services.