JAMES DEAN. SALINAS SPORTS CAR RACES OFFICIAL PROGRAM, OCTOBER 1-2, 1955.

Description

JAMES DEAN memorabilia. This is the Official Program for the 1st Annual Salinas Optimist Club ROAD CAR SPORTS RACES held at the Salinas Municipal Airport on October 1-2, 1955. This is the racing event that James Dean had entered after buying his Porsche 550 Spyder racing car in late September, 1955. Originally, Dean had intended to tow the car from Los Angeles to Salinas but was told that the car was too new and needed more break-in mileage before being raced. That was why he decided to drive the Porsche to Salinas instead. On the way, his car, which had been speeding, collided with another car crossing at a rural intersection and Dean was killed. Dean had entered the race too late for his name to appear in this program , however the name of another entrant in the 8th race, John von Neumann, the dealer from whom Dean had purchased the car, and whom Dean listed as his preferred pit partner in his application, does appear. This is a scarce find and is in fine condition with pencil markings in the text, which is illustrated with various advertisements and maps of the course. Dean was killed after starring in only three films, Rebel Without a Cause (1955), East of Eden (1955) and Giant (1956), which was still being edited and would not be released until the following year. Please note above, that JAMES DEAN'S NAME DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE
PROGRAM because it was already being printed before his entry form was received. This event has been very well documented and all of the details pertaining to his entry in this racing meet are widely available, although his participation is not mentioned in the item for sale.