James Dean’s Missing Porsche 550 Spyder Found | Blog – MCG Social™ | MyClassicGarage™

James Dean’s Missing Porsche 550 Spyder Found

Article By MyClassicGarage at 09/29/15 03:36PM

September 30th,…was the… anniversary of the sad day James Dean died.   60 years have passed, and now there are rumors that the exact car, a Porsche 550 chassis 055, might be not so lost after all.

If anyone is not up to speed on what happened, James Dean was driving his Porsche 550 on his way to Salinas, California for a race. Near Cholame, California, on a stretch of highway, Dean was involved in a head on crash with a Ford Tudor.   The Porsche was totaled, and Dean was pronounced dead.

It was tragic, but instead of only focusing on the negativity surrounding the situation, the crash became the centerpiece for a safe driving program across the country. His 550 was toured around, but strange events cast a dark shadow over the car.

People who came in close contact with the 550 experienced a string of bad luck. Many were involved car wrecks themselves, and some also suffered the same fate as Dean.

During the early 60’s the 550 actually disappeared. Somehow it vanished during transportation from Florida to California, until now.Volo Auto Museum is a good friend of My Classic Garage, and also the possible next owner of the highly sought after Porsche 550.  The whole situation is still unfolding, but here’s what we know.   During 2005 Volo offered a million dollar reward for the whereabouts of James Dean’s 550.   After the television show ‘Brad Meltzer’s Lost History,’ which aired in 2014, a man contacted Volo Auto Museum with the claim that he knew where the car was.   His tale is crazy, and sounds like the plot to a box office hit, but after a polygraph test his story was confirmed.     He was 6 years old and present as his father and some other men put the cursed 550 Spyder behind a false wall in an undisclosed building somewhere in Washington.   We have a lot of questions about all of this, but we really hope the rumors are true.   This is still coming together.    As details are released we’ll keep you updated.

Source: James Dean’s Missing Porsche 550 Spyder Found | Blog – MCG Social™ | MyClassicGarage™

 

james dean car

Wreckage from James Dean crash may be in Bellingham

Reilly describes witnessing his father and a group of men hide the famous car in a Bellingham building. “A 1955 Porsche 550, all mangled up. They were talking about it being James Dean’s car,” said Reilly. “They hid it inside a wall, basically on its side.

550 porsche spyder

Fans complete James Dean’s drive 60 years after his death

The actor was driving his silver 550 Porsche Spyder and was headed to Salinas where he planned to participate in the road car sports race at the Salinas Airport. “When he was filming ‘East of Eden,’ he really fell in love with the car culture in

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Fender Removal

In case you didn’t notice, the fenders that were on #ProjectSportsRoof look as though car had driven into a half pipe at a skate park.

Left Fender - major dent a lot of rebuilding necessary

Left Fender – major dent a lot of rebuilding necessary

Right Side Fender - lots of crinkles, a few creases and good size dent.

Right Side Fender – lots of crinkles, a few creases and good size dent.

Now, these are fixable, with a lot of  heating and dolly work and bondo – but I’m trying my luck with re-pops and that’s what is coming up in the next few post.

 

 

 

Drop me a know if you have a project you are working on.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – What are You Gonna …

#ProjectSportsRoof will be the way I want it, which I haven’t nailed down yet, so suggest way by dropping me a comment (got your crate motor idea swimming around in my head, Bill) and that will happen fast or slow and cost …

Project Large Marge: New Fuel Tank and In-Tank Fuel Pump on a 1973 Mustang

Our 1973 Mustang is 42 years old, which means the gas tank has seen 42 years worth of various qualities of gasoline, sludge, condensation, residue, and most likely rust. Since we’re upgrading the engine to a blown and injected (Holley Terminator EFI) …

 

 

 

Top Country Visitors – Thanks all!!!

Just a quick howdy to all my readers from outside the U.S.

Love to hear from you – in any language!

Thanks – Canada
Danke  – Germany
Good Day Mate – Thanks Australia
Thanks UK folks!!
Благодарности Люди –  Russian Federation
Merci Folks – French
gracias amigos – Brazil
Tack Folks – Sweden
Folks Grazie . Ci vediamo tra qualche giorno  Italy
Bedankt mensen – Netherlands

 

100_0303

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep the shinny side up!!!!

 

Tim

AGCarRestoration@cox.net

#ProjectSportsRoof

agcarrestoration

Action Shot Contest – Average Guys Muscle, Classic …

Get you pics or videos to us either on our FB page https://www.facebook.com/AGCarRestoration or email them to AGCarRestoration@cox.net or timsweet@cox.net. This should be fun!!!! Tim Sweet. AGCarRestoration@cox.net …

The Dodge Spirit R/T Was the Hellcat of the Early ’90s

In 1991 and 1992, the Dodge Spirit R/T was the quickest four-door sold in the U.S. and the fastest mass-produced sedan in the world.

The Dodge Charger Hellcat’s rise to the top of the sport sedan segment shouldn’t come as a surprise. Though many were shocked when Dodge had the audacity to build a 707-horsepower grocery-getter, the American automaker has a long-history of catching the automotive industry off guard.

Though few still remember the legend, the Hellcat isn’t the first time Dodge shockingly overthrew Germany’s finest to become king of the sport sedan segment. BMW, Mercedes, and Audi were unquestionably the gold standard of tire-scorching, corner-carving four-doors. But in 1991 and ‘92, Dodge completely embarrassed the German triumvirate with its budget-friendly, front-wheel drive Dodge Spirit.

Wait, what?

Source: The Dodge Spirit R/T Was the Hellcat of the Early ’90s

 

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

1992 dodge spirit r t

Daily Turismo: 1k: Strangely Appealing: 1992 Dodge Spirit R/T

This isn’t entirely true, but of the 1400 Spirit R/Ts sold in the US in 1991-1992, only a few are for sale right now. Perhaps they … a good deal. Find this 1992 Dodge Spirit R/T offered here on craigslist for $1000 in Maquoketa, IA.
Daily Turismo: 1k: Strangely Appealing: 1992 Dodge Spirit R/T

This isn’t entirely true, but of the 1400 Spirit R/Ts sold in the US in 1991-1992, only a few are for sale right now. Perhaps they … a good deal. Find this 1992 Dodge Spirit R/T offered here on craigslist for $1000 in Maquoketa, IA.
Interior: 1992 Dodge Spirit R/T 150mph speedometer

Date: 19th January 2012 Username: j4278h Full Name: City, State, Zip: 49079 Contact: pm Price: 350 Description:1992 Dodge Spirit R/T 150mph instrument cluster with 180k miles on it. Since I’ve had this car for 5 plus years …
6k: His and Hers: Dodge Spirit R/T and Daytona Iroc R/T

However, these two Dodges, listed separately but sold by the same seller, are tempting for the creative gifter. It’s the thought that counts. Find this 1991 Dodge Spirit R/T and this 1992 Dodge Daytona Iroc R/T for sale in …

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – This Just In #3 Floor Pans

Thanks for following #ProjectSportsRoof.

Another batch of parts showed up the other day.  Take a look.

 

Thanks for reading.

 

Next up for #ProjectSportsRoof – sway bar installation.

 

Tim

 

IMG_20150923_162001327_HDR

1973 Mustang Project SportsRoom – This Just In #1

It’s almost like Christmas every time part come in for #ProjectSportsRoof. Here’s what came in this week: Fresh from North of our border are these wood insert for.

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – This Just In #2

Received a set of reproduction front fenders for the 1973 Mustang #ProjectSportsRoof. They will be replacing these: Right Side Fender – lots of.

 

Average Guy’s Car Restoration Services – How it works.

I get asked often how our restoration service at Average Guy’s Car Restorations works.

This is a great question so I thought I’d lay out the basic steps, keeping in mind that each car and each customer is different and we do our best to accommodate those differences.

From a full-blown frame off restoration – like we have going on with the rare 1975 Model 110 VW bug, to a customized ride, to a simple refresh to keep the family classic safe and reliable, we make it happen.  Whether you are going to keep it, sell it at the next Barrett Jackson auction or hand it down, we’ll get it to the level of perfection you desire and it deserves.

To start we’ll sit down and discuss your goals.  This is a critical step for us to understand your goal.  As you know a key component of any restoration is budget, so we’ll have that discussion too, including your budget range, initial deposit and billing/payment arrangements.  Based on this interview we lay out the next steps and you’ll know what to expect every step of the way.

After we completed the administrative tasks, we get to the exciting part.  We’ll arrange to get you vehicle transported, safely and secure.  Our rare Model 110 VW was brought to us all the way from the great state of Iowa. We select only reliable transportation contractors to move your car, so it won’t be jammed on the back of livestock truck, which just happens to be coming this way. Once we have the car in our possession it remains safe and secure at all times including when it’s with any of our subcontractors.

We begin with a complete inspection of the car, keeping in mind the customers goals, to decide the logical progression for the restore, refresh or customization. We call this the ‘Project Plan’ and we give you that step by step document. You can then compare that to your objective.

One of things we love to do is document the restoration process and you’ll be given updates, including pictures, on a regular basis and comprehensive documentation when the project is completed. Our Model 110 VW’s owner has visited from Chicago several times to personally inspect her “Buggy”. We love that interaction.

So that’s the framework of our restoration process and to just show you the quality, here are a couple of examples.

From this:
IMG_2488

 

To this:

The 302

The 302

From this

enginebay31 photo_3

To this:

in1

 

Let me show you one more.

From this rusted out VW:

IMAG0845 IMAG0835

 

To this:

74VWFloor 74VWBodyOn-1

That’s the expected out come – not just our customers want but we demand.

Of course getting these types of results isn’t by chance, you have to start with skilled professionals and you have to manage each car like a complicated project with personal oversight.  Not a bolt get’s replaces or polished or a dollar spent without my knowledge.   With two double “Best In Class” trophy winners to my recent credit, you know the attention to detail will be there.

If you are interested in the process or have questions,  feel free to contact us at AGCarRestoration@cox.net or call us at 520-405-5314.

Tim

1984 Corvette twice Best In Class winner

1984 Corvette twice Best In Class winner

 

IMG_4900

Double Trophy Winner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Window Felt Install Part IV

The final part of this install of the window felt on  1973 Sports Roof was as easy as it gets.  This outside piece just snaps in – with a small adjustment.

Take a look:

 

The goal is to get the car sealed up and keep any more water damage from occurring to the floor pans by rain leaking into the car.

Here’s the kind of seal you want to see on the windows.

 

 

I was asked an a couple of forums about why I bothered with this task, when I’m just going to paint the car.  That’s a good question, especially when we car enthusiasts are bombarded with car shows that turn cars around in 3 days and strip a car to bare bones and send it off to the paint boot.  Well that how’s they do in T.V. land but the Average Guy isn’t going to be able to make that happen.

So yes the car is going to be painted and yes I am fairly certain that the engine is going to get rebuilt, but that’s not going to happen in a week (which I’m very dubious actually occurs in real life – T.V. or not T.V. cameras.)   But I’m going to fix we what I can now and drive it before all the big $$$ stuff has to happen.   Although the car may take a different direction, I still want it to be a drive-able project car – keeping it fun.

Thanks for reading and as always – drop me a note with your opinion.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

 

1973 Mustang Sportsroof

Just picked up my second classic Mustang and I’ve got my Marti Report in hand…love those guys!!! I had a couple questions and perhaps someone here knows. Car was ordered with forged aluminum wheels – any one know that they would have looked like …

 

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Window Felt Install …

Continuing on with the felt install for the 1973 Mustang (#ProjectSportsRoof), I’ve already removed the old felt and we are about to replace it with the new piece from.

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Window Felt Install …

Let’s wrap up the window felt install on the 1973 Mustang (#ProjectSportsRoof). Let me show you a bit of what we started with. Top Inside Door Panel.

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – What are You Gonna …

#ProjectSportsRoof will be the way I want it, which I haven’t nailed down yet, so suggest way by dropping me a comment (got your crate motor idea swimming around in my head, Bill) and that will happen fast or slow and cost …

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Window Felt Install Part III

Let’s wrap up the window felt install on the 1973 Mustang (#ProjectSportsRoof).

Let me show you a bit of what we started with.

Top Inside Door Panel Removed

Top Inside Door Panel Removed

 

The white panel I’m working with in the videos is from this part of the door.

Here’s the next couple of steps.

 

So the stable were to large in diameter to fit through the existing holes and if you ever tried enlarging a hole this size, even slightly, you’ll break more than a couple of drill bits.  So with the holes misaligned for the felt strip and the wrong size I opted to just drill the felt and the door panel.

Worth mentioning is that the upper door panel and original felt strip has more hole, requiring more stables than the number of stables included with the kit.  Not using as many stable would allow the strip to sag  and not give a good seal, so I made the extra stables out of finishing nails by cutting off them to size a bending them in to a ‘squared’ U shape.

Next up is the a look at the outside felt strip – that really isn’t felt – just rubber and how replacing helps with quarter mile times!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

repops felt kits

1973 Mustang Sportsroof

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Window Felt Install Part I

Thanks for checking back in on #ProjectSportsRoof. For a long time I thought installing door window felt or window seal was an impossible task. Either you couldn’t.
1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Window Felt Install …

Continuing on with the felt install for the 1973 Mustang (#ProjectSportsRoof), I’ve already removed the old felt and we are about to replace it with the new piece from.

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Window Felt Install Part II

Continuing on with the felt install for the 1973 Mustang (#ProjectSportsRoof), I’ve already removed the old felt and we are about to replace it with the new piece from Repops (I misspoke in the video, but you can clearly see the name on the paperwork).

 

Seems simple enough and done in no….time…..but wait….small glitch!!!

So the company is called Repops and to be fair, the pieces that went on the outside of the door were near perfect.

More coming up in part III of this install.

Thanks for reading

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

73-17

1973 Mustang #ProjectSportsRoof

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Window Felt Install Part I

Thanks for checking back in on #ProjectSportsRoof. For a long time I thought installing door window felt or window seal was an impossible task. Either you couldn’t.

 

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Window Felt Install Part I

Thanks for checking back in on #ProjectSportsRoof.

For a long time I thought installing door window felt or window seal was an impossible task.  Either you couldn’t get the pieces because they aren’t reproduced or it was done in such a way that make it possible for the Average Guy to make it happen.

It’s been a while since I had to consider replacement – my 1970 Mustang restoration didn’t require new felt, so is wasn’t a concern.  But the 1973 SportsRoof needed it badly, as you can see in the video for exterior walk around (click HERE to review).  Before I began the search I was concerned that I wouldn’t find them – 1973 was a unique year in a lot of ways (fenders – grille) and with the differences between the 1971-1972 and 1973 it wouldn’t be hard to image these just weren’t profitable to reproduce.

Thankfully I was wrong.  I found these on one of the Mustang part sites and they are produced by “Repops” (which I may called something different in one of the videos you’ll see in these posts).  The were very good quality, but needed some modifications.

Let’s take a look at them.

Repops' Window Felt

Repops’ Window Felt

Just a side note:  The audio on this set of videos it not great.  I forgot that I had my fan on and at times that over powers the audio – especially when I move in side.  My apologizes ahead of time!!!

BONUS VIDEO SECTION:  In the last section of the video above I covered a little tip for keeping the interior of the door dry.  As I look back, I realize that my 1970 Mustang DID have two holes in the bottom of the door originally.  However, they were a bit smaller than those in bottom of the ’73 and prone to getting plugged very easily – which is why I added a few more.

To install the inside felt (the outside is rubber – which make sense) I had to remove the top door panel inside, which was just two screws.  Then I need to take a look at how to remove the felt from that piece.

 

Next two videos show the removal of the felt from the top interior section of the door panel.

 

 

 

After cutting the fold ends of the staples the felt just popped off with a screw driver.

Part II of the window felt  install is coming up.

Thanks for view Average Guys Car Restoration.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

1973 Mustang Project SportsRoof – Exterior Walk-Around

Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. I run my car projects much like I run my IT projects. You always have to know where to start and know the end game. As with any project that isn’t being built from scratch, in other word, …