Rumor has it, the Porsche 550 Spyder that actor James Dean was killed in, a $7000 racer in September of 1955, was sold for parts and brought death to all that bought them. The car was badly damaged after it was hit nearly head-on by a similar period Ford station wagon driven by a local framer. The mechanic riding with Dean survived though sadly the actor was gravely injured and was pronounced dead at the scene. Famed automotive customizer George Barris bought the wreck to put on tour for money. While doing so, parts were stolen off though it’s believed that Barris sold the very valuable 1500cc 4-cam Porsche racing engine that was in the car. It’s from here that the rumors start about every part, engine, trans, or wheel that were cursed and killed their new owners. Unproven...but it makes for great folklore.
Clyde Barrow, yes the one of Bonnie and Clyde fame, was huge fan of Ford’s Flathead V8 powered cars. So much so that he wrote a "Thank You" letter to Henry Ford stating it was the best “getaway” car he ever drove. It is important to note that Clyde never bought a Ford Flathead V8, or any other car for that matter, as Clyde was in the business of bank robbery and stole all his getaway cars. However, Barrow wanted Mr. Ford to know that at the time they were his vehicle of choice. Pretty certain Henry Ford never ran any Clyde Barrow endorsement ads.
Today caskets run from $3,000 to $20,000...pricey, unless you’re quite rich. Seems Sandra West, who was quite rich (largely because she married smart) drove a Ferrari GTE, a four-passenger sporty sedan. A car she just loved. When she died of injures received in a minor accident in her Ferrari, the car was less damaged than Mrs. West. Her will was specific about her being buried in her beloved Ferrari. Though it was complicated to work out the details, she was finally put to rest in her favorite car. At the time, 1977, it was worth around $35,000, already well ahead of expensive coffins. Today the same model of Ferrari is considered to be valued at approximately nearly two million dollars.
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