Author Warren beath is interviewed September 30, 2005

 
 A faithful replica of Dean's 1955 Porsche 

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Highway Patrol car parked at James Dean Memorial Highway sign erected in 2005 in time for the soth anniversary of the crash.

Replica of the 1955 Porsche 550  Spyder James Dean was driving. The car was powered by a 1500 cc Furhman 547 engine and its top speed was 130 mph. IT was demolished in the accident. James Dean was killed instantly upon impact.



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A young Warren Beath at the East of Eden  site in 1969

Dean memorial at Blackwell's Corners as it appears today.
Blackwell's Corners in 1955. 27 miles from impact. 

The 1955 Ford Country Squire station wagon Dean owned was exactly like this one (notice actual car behind the Porsche at Dean's last fuel stop before leaving L.A.).

Dean's friend Bill Hickman and his photographer Sanford Roth were following Dean and his mechanic Rolf Wutherich. At Blackwells Corners (above) Hickman warned Dean to slow down.
Dean seen here at last fuel stop off the 101 before the 99.   

Beautiful Hand made memorial at final resting place of the Porsche

Dean's last drive.

View on highway 46 westbound toward Cholame, several miles to the east of the fatal intersection. The highway in Dean's day was 466.. The collision happens where it intersects with highway 41 . Taking advantage of the arrow straight strectch of road, Dean could have brought the Porsche to full speed without restriction. 

Above is the original 1955 road approaching the current intersection.

The original intersection was moved several feet in 1959 to allow for a safer left turn lane.