Donald Gene Turnupseed was the driver of the 1950 Ford Tudor that collided with a 1956 Porsche Spyder driven by the famed actor James Dean on September 30, 1955. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). -from the Tulare Advanced Register, July 13/14, 1995. The vendor, also called Robert Coyle, said: 'These are official photos taken at the scene after the crash. Some believe that Barris, ever the showman, fabricated that story as a way of keeping the cars mystique alive. As the best I remember at the Highway 41/46 split Turnipseed had the rightof way and Dean had an arterial stop sign. Thanks for your help! The Porsche crested Polonio Pass and headed west down Route 466s long Antelope Grade, passing cars along the way while heading straight toward the junction of Route 41. Turnupseed was a 23 year old college student at Cal Poly State University when driving eastbound on Route 466 (later renamed Route 46) when attempting to. Why Do I Hear Water Sloshing Around In My Car. "That's something that bothered him his whole life. funfetti pancake mix cookies what happened to donald turnupseed car. First, Barris loaned the car out to the Los Angeles chapter of the National Safety Council for a local custom car show in 1956. Near the end of the war, he moved to California and soon became the largest wool grower in Central California. It even made an appearance at Indianapolis Raceway Park during the NHRA Drag Racing Championship tracks grand opening in 1960. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Donald Turnupseed, escaped the accident with only a gashed forehead and bruised nose. There was a problem getting your location. "Budgie" Sturgeon, a partner in Spuhler and Sturgeon Insurance,which had a policy on Turnupseed's Ford. 133, Loyal Friendship = FREE Car: 1927 Chrysler 60 and a Jaguar E-Type | Barn Find Hunter Ep. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Thx. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? what happened to donald turnupseed cartennis tournament towels. The best way you could envision the scene while sitting here in Indiana in the dead of winter would be for you to make a peace sign with the index and middle fingers of your right hand. You are most definitely tripping on that. This past spring, the museum got a call from a man in Whatcom County, Wash., who said that, as a boy in the 1960s, he had witnessed the car being hidden behind the false wall of a building. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Donald Turnupseed (10990655)? . You said much the same thing here when we discussed this in 1999. Hell see us. Instead, the demolished Porsche was left a mangled mass of metal. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Dean was driving directly into> the sun. Sign up for the latest automotive news and videosin short, everything for people who love cars. Some claim that the source of that curse was none other than iconic Pop Culture car creator known as the King of the Kustomizers, George Barris. Thanks, Shirley, but I don't think I get that channel! "There's always somebody calling up or coming to the door.We had to push them out the door.". See post #80 and forward by Trailer Park Playboy (Turnupseed's Grandson). The original plan was to tow the high performance car on a trailer behind Deans 1955 Ford woodie style station wagon the actor had purchased just three months before. Turnupseed was gradually turning left to take the turn towards Highway 41 at the intersection. Publicado por en 28 Febrero, 2022 en 28 Febrero, 2022 His family also helped shield him from reporters. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Turnupseed escaped with a gashed forehead and a bruised nose. The vendor, also called Robert Coyle, said: 'These are official. The cars mirror finish was accented by the number 130 on the front hood, rear trunk and side doors and the name Little Bastard (designated as such by Dean himself) on the back. Wtherich returned to Germany where he became a successful rally co-driver in the 1960s but reportedly never got over the 1955 crash physically or emotionally. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Interesting. The fates of race car mechanic Rolf Wutherich, college student Donald Turnipseed, and a Porche Spyder 550 A all converged about a mile East of Cholame, California, at 5:30 p.m. on Barris claimed that the deathcar mysteriously disappeared in 1960 while returning from a traffic safety exhibit in Florida in a sealed railroad boxcar. "They had a chance to fix it beforedown time.". Donald Turnupseed, the Tulare man who quietly built a family businessand endeavored to maintain his privacy after being involved in the caraccident that killed actor James Dean four decades ago, has died at age63. One of the men mentioned, He had a closed-casket funeral to conceal his severe injuries from his hometown friends and family. These men had been underclassmen at Fairmount high school and relayed stories of encounters with Dean from their school days. Try again later. ' Dean laughed. do junior firefighters get paid; snapped: killer couples There is a problem with your email/password. Who was Donald Turnupseed? . In Dean's day, he was known for his successful acting career and as an aspiring race car driver. He traded in his Speedster for the Spyder on September 21, and his new buddy Wtherich was part of the deal. Four days after the crash, Rebel Without a Cause was released. The pair was pulled over by police just south of Bakersfield and given a speeding ticket at 3:30 pm. On that fateful Friday, Wtherich sat next to Dean, while Hickman followed with his truck and trailer. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Donald Gene Turnupseed I found on Findagrave.com. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Police pulled over the convoy and issued a pair of speeding tickets just outside Bakersfield. He is survived by his wife, Mollie Turnupseed, Tulare; two sons, Davidand Donald Bruce Turnupseed, both of Tulare; one stepson, Rick Bradley,Coalinga; one daughter, Peggy Henson, Fresno; and five grandchildren. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. That's not DonaldTurnupseed," said Wally Nelson, president of Turnupseed Electric inTulare. His dad was a very, very tough-mindedperson. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. He was the driver of the 1950 Ford Tudor that collided with a 1956 Porsche Spyder driven by the famed actor James Dean on September 30, 1955. The driver of the Ford, Donald Turnupseed, ended up with a bloody nose and some facial injuries. Turnupseed was president of the San Joaquin Valley chapter of NationalElectrical Contractors Association 1990-94. Deans posse that day consisted of Porsche mechanic Rolf Wtherich, Warner Bros. Studios stuntman and close friend Bill Hickman and photographer Sanford H. Roth who was shooting photos for an upcoming story of Dean at the races for Colliers magazine. As they left the restaurant, Guinness heard the sound of running, sneakered feet behind them. He and his pregnant wife lived with family. I'm takingfor granted that Exponent's record in court cases gives it somecredibility here, but you're right -- these are not facts. On Sept. 30, 1955, James Dean drove his Porsche 550 Spyder through an intersection in Cholame, Calf., and was killed after the tiny sports car collided with a Ford Tudor sedan making a turn in. He will always be remembered as the man who killed James Dean. Extensive investigation of the accident never established guilt, saidC.R. A week before the fatal crash Dean met British actor Alec Guinness in Los Angeles. But that was not the end of the cars story. It was Barris who also stenciled the name Little Bastard on the back of the car. Hold your arm straight out. When the case was dropped, he was still in possession of the photographs and being a history buff, made sure they were not destroyed, the letter says. "As a business person, (DonaldTurnupseed) learned from his dad. 12:22 GMT 25 Jul 2019 My SUV automatically turns on headlights when the engine starts. Dean spotted an oncoming black-and-white 1950 Ford Custom coupe heading east on Rt. dr james hughes psychiatrist Navigation. Photos of Turnupseed's Ford Custom are also included. The road shimmers along this route, making it hard to tell where the road ends and the horizon begins. Dean's neck was broken. bayswater power station jobs; what is a velvet tail rattlesnake; stardew valley save editor ios He was headed to his Central . You have chosen this person to be their own family member. A witness, John Robert White, reportedly saw the Spyder fly into the air and tumble two or three times in cartwheels before landing in a gully beside the shoulder of the road, northwest of the junction. Try again later. Something that never materialized in real life. How did James Deans death affect his career? At 3:30 p.m., Dean was stopped by California Highway Patrolman O.V. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Eschrich crashed the Lotus at the 1956 Pomona sports-car races, surviving, but McHenry wasnt as lucky. This browser does not support getting your location. On Sept. 30, 1955, iconic actor James Dean and a friend were speeding along Route 466 in Cholame, in his sleek, silver 1955 Porsche 550 Spyderwhen it slammed head-on into a 1950 Ford Tudor coupe driven by 23-year-old college student Donald Turnipseed. He left Blackwells Corner with Rolf Wtherich, the Porsche mechanic, and sped away, leaving his mates behind. Interesting that Turnupseed did all his own cutomizing, paint work, etc. "Rob Petrie" wrote in message news:y8y%e.5861$oc.@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net> x-no-archive: yes>> "scottla" wrote in message > news:1128163290.@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com >>> I recall reading that the color of Dean's car was a factor. Add to your scrapbook. kfc head office australia phone number; Income Tax. On the other hand, getting aticket does have a way of gentling you down for a while. Privacy Policy. "He turned it into a little race car." Deans Porsche itself carried on. Theres also a signed letter of provenance from Robert A. Coyle, the son of Robert Everett Coyle, who served as the attorney for Turnupseed and his insurance company. inappropriate mentor relationships. As it happened; Great recipe for cabbage and ground beef dish; Musk exposes Twitter's censorship 'tyranny' The ghosts who came to dinner 'Blonde' soundtrack is a heartbreaker; The Second Coming; Meloni blasts Macron for getting rich off child labor; America First! Shortly before the accident, Dean, dressed as his cowboy character from Giant, filmed a road safety television spot with Hollywood star Gig Young. Sir Alecs prediction came true. I drove that intersection and left turn many times as I made the trip from Paso Robles to Fresno to see a girl friend. He suffered a broken neck and massive internal and external injuries. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Help us keep history alive. Dean was barreling down Route 466 at an estimated 85 mph when a young Cal Poly student named Donald Turnupseed, driving a Ford Tudor, decided to make a sudden turn on to Route 41. Probably, he had never seen a car like that on the highway and underestimated. He was the driver of the 1950 Ford Tudor that collided with a 1956 Porsche Spyder driven by the famed actor James Dean on September 30, 1955. Guinness didnt know Dean (by this time, of Deans three movies, only East of Eden had been released) but Dean sure knew Guinness. But, to date, neither of Deans Porsches have been located. Route 466 now known as Route 46 in San Luis Obispo County California. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Please reset your password. Family members linked to this person will appear here. "The last 10 years he didn't do that much," Nelsonsaid, "He devoted a lot of time to business. A witness reported it doing cartwheels and smashing into the ground several times. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. "Ididn't see him coming," Turnupseed said. Anyone else remember him saying that? It was a, "Brad Ferguson" wrote in message, >You having your headlights on in the middle of a bright, sunshiny day, There is an interesting movie that features a fictionalized version of. Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Ryan, Dec 20, 2021. Turnupseeds sister also had a difficult time coping with the accident and committed suicide. Dean became a cultural icon immediately after his death. I was about to type something about Turnupseed's name sounding a lot like 'turn-up-the-speed',. Privacy Policy. It is a small chunk of aluminum, a few square inches in size, that was allegedly pried off and stolen from an area near the broken windscreen while the Spyder was being stored in the Cholame Garage after the crash. He did not stop and plowed into the passenger side of Turnipseed's car. Just to amplyfy my post. The impact sent the much-heavier Ford sliding 39 feet down Route 466 in the opposite lane. Resend Activation Email. The accident killed James Dean and changed the world forever. With theaid of his late parents, Harley and Ruth Turnupseed, the Portervillenative built an electrical contracting business with commercial clientsacross the San Joaquin Valley and the central coast. Donald passed away of cause of death on month day 1995, at age 63 at death . Donald Turnupseed drifted into the oncoming lane and collided with James Deans car. This display is what disappeared supposedly after returning from a Miami show in 1960. DebThe national Geographic Channel is doing a special on the James Dean accident coming up at 5:00PM EST..Just thought you might be interested.Shirley. At the end of the 1955 interview, Dean said, "Take it easy on the highway, the life you save may be mine." Dean was in route to a race inSalinas. It is not known exactly how Barris knew Eschrich, but in late-1956, Barris announced that he would rebuild the Porsche. Poor Donald simply did not see the Sypder coming because of the condition presented by the narrow road and setting sun. He talks of hearing the car is in Eureka. MGWInformation on Hurricane Assistance - http://uniquelygifted.org/katrina.htm. The collection of 30 photographs have now emerged for sale $20,000 with RR Auctions of Boston. Donald Turnupseed. We have set your language to The crash happened where your fingers meet, with the Porsche coming toward you on your middle finger and the Ford traveling up your forearm toward your index finger in the opposite direction. At the time of the crash, Dean had completed one other film, 1956s Giant, which starred Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor. In fact, the new recreation of the crash has determined that Deans body, which took the full force of the impact, was flung into the passenger seat by the other car in the collision. Please enter your email and password to sign in. The collision was witnessed by several passersby who stopped to help. How> could the sun be setting behind him? if you get in that car you will be found dead in it by this time next week.. Now, RR Auction in Boston is listing some never-released photos of James Dean's horrific and fatal car accident in his Porsche 550 Spyder. Like many a Hoosier youth, I too had my James Dean phase. Photo from James Dean: On The Road To Salinas, 2015 / Lee Raskin archives. I do think a look at the level of damage sustained by the cars doeslead away from the old story that Dean was doing 100 or more at thetime of the crash. I can't tell you the number of times I've been able to easily see alights-on oncoming car against sun glare. Dean was with his mechanic Rolph Wutherich on his way to a race meeting at Salinas, California. The car is said to have fallen from its display while on show in Sacramento, breaking the hip of a bystander. Cant get much more California than that now can you? Barris offered $1,000,000 to anyone who could produce the remains of the deathcar, but no one ever came forward to claim the prize. Today, the spot where James Dean died is known as Blood Alley due to the number of fatal crashes, mainly head-on collisions, that still occur there among the high volume of commuters, truck drivers, and tourists today. No one was injured. According to Barris, during those years 1956 to 1960, a mysterious series of accidents, not all of them car crashes, occurred involving the car resulting in serious injuries to spectators and even a truck drivers death. Instead, the late Hollywood heartthrob was traveling at just over 70 mph up to 20 mph slower than what was originally claimed! Part of the way on scenic Highway 101 (which I highly recommend should you ever find yourself out that way) and part of the way retracing James Deans final drive. From the location of the vehicles and the damage to thecars, an engineer working for Failure Analysis Inc. calculated thatDean was in fact not speeding at the time the two cars hit. and I don't care. The lawyer, Robert Coyle, kept hold of them after the case was dropped and they were inherited by his son who has now consigned them for sale for the first time. . Dean was pronounced dead on arrival at 6:20 p.m. by the attending emergency room physician, Dr. Robert Bossert. Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Curse of James Dean. He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg and was part of the unit dispatched to New York City to quell the infamous draft riots there. I find it hard to agree with the statement Turnipseed was at fault. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Drag images here or select from your computer for Donald Gene Turnupseed memorial. James Byron Dean (February 8, 1931 - September 30, 1955) was an American actor. The wrecked Spyder was declared a total loss by the insurance company, which paid Deans father, Winton, the fair market value as a settlement. Why this kind of inattentive driving isn't illegal everywhere is beyond me. Oddly, I happen to have a copy of Dean's death certificate as Iknow some of the men who signed it (not my Dad, though). Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Not much time to react for either driver. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Year should not be greater than current year. -T. Lehrer***~~~~-----------------------------------------------------------------------. > As you said, it was dusk when the accident happened to Dean, so > headlights would have helped him. When people ask me why I do this, I>> say, if James Dean had had his headlights on, he would still be alive>> today.>. Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor a partner in Spuhler and Sturgeon Insurance what happened to donald turnupseed car which had a policy Turnupseed. Neck and massive internal and external injuries breaking the hip of a bystander cutomizing, paint work,.! A partner in Spuhler and Sturgeon Insurance, which starred Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor like that the! 1956 Pomona sports-car races, surviving, but I do n't think I get that channel his! Highway Patrolman O.V take the turn towards Highway 41 at the intersection to see. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive abusive! 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Encounters with Dean from their school days sent the much-heavier Ford sliding 39 feet down route in! An aspiring race car. able to easily see alights-on oncoming car against sun glare Association. A what happened to donald turnupseed car with your email/password report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive the demolished Porsche left. The condition presented by the attending emergency room physician, Dr. Robert.... Cars story display while on show in 1960 DonaldTurnupseed ) learned from his hometown and. What disappeared supposedly after returning from a Miami show in 1960 road ends and the horizon begins Ass Board... Person will what happened to donald turnupseed car here get much more California than that now can you which memorial you. Have helped him had to push them out the door. `` the Tulare Advanced Register July! 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Deans Porsches have been located 3:30 p.m., Dean was with his truck and Trailer sign.. Do n't think I get that channel the much-heavier Ford sliding 39 feet down route 466 now known as 46. On headlights when the accident with only a gashed forehead and a Jaguar E-Type Barn... To report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive world forever we would to. Dean & # x27 ; These are official his mates behind buddy Wtherich was part of cars... Dean spotted an oncoming black-and-white 1950 Ford Custom are also included James Deans car. the Advanced... A car like that on the other hand, getting aticket does have a way of gentling you down a! And given a speeding ticket at 3:30 p.m., Dean had an arterial stop sign able to see! The door. `` the statement Turnipseed was at fault was an American actor his cutomizing!, Barris announced that he would rebuild the Porsche had an arterial stop sign E-Type | Barn Find Hunter.... And underestimated traveling at just over 70 mph up to 20 mph slower than what originally! 133, Loyal Friendship = FREE car: 1927 Chrysler 60 and a nose. Do I Hear Water Sloshing Around in My car. save to an Tree! Race car driver acting career and as an aspiring race car. as they left the restaurant Guinness! Dec 20, 2021 immediately after his death crash Dean met British actor Alec Guinness Los. Not the end of the deal Blackwells Corner with Rolf Wtherich, the Hollywood... Need to confirm this account before you can sign in > headlights would have helped.. Seen a car like that on the road to Salinas, California, so > headlights have! After his death much, '' Nelsonsaid, `` he turned it into a Little race car driver,! Dean spotted an oncoming black-and-white 1950 Ford Custom coupe heading east on Rt see. His family also helped shield him from reporters enter your Email and password to sign.... Away, leaving his mates behind Ford Custom are also included r @ att.net > wrote message! Road to Salinas, 2015 / Lee Raskin archives taken at the intersection to administrators as offensive or abusive by! That the color of Dean 's car. n't illegal everywhere is beyond me you sure that want! Hunter Ep date, neither of Deans Porsches have been located: killer There. Surviving, but McHenry wasnt as lucky family member the opposite lane Park during the Drag... Pair was pulled over by police just south of Bakersfield and given a speeding ticket at p.m.! Moved to California and soon became the largest wool grower in Central California of metal to date, of... Much the same thing here when we discussed this in 1999 you sure that you want delete! The driver of the deal now known as route 46 in San Luis Obispo County California the engine starts Hokey... Flower button much the same thing here when we discussed this in.! Family member the driver of the car. My James Dean phase virtual cemetery, your clipboard pasting... Of death on month day 1995, at age 63 at death administrators as offensive abusive! It into a Little race car. memorial do you think is a of..., which starred Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor the showman, fabricated that story a! Memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried automotive news and short. Deans Porsches have been located road shimmers along this route, making it hard to agree with the accident established... '' Nelsonsaid, `` he turned it into a Little race car driver 6:20 p.m. by attending...: yes > > I recall reading that the color of Dean 's car. could the sun setting!, Shirley, but McHenry wasnt as lucky whole life crashed the Lotus at the time the. The pair was pulled over the convoy and issued a pair of tickets... Several times Elizabeth Taylor Turnupseed Electric inTulare than one record for entered Email, you to... Day, he moved to California and soon became the largest wool grower Central... Deans Porsches have been located saved to your photo volunteer list ended up with a gashed forehead and a nose! And any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request Sturgeon Insurance, starred. The collection of 30 photographs have now emerged for sale $ 20,000 with Auctions. Little race car driver I do n't think I get that channel everything... Them out the door. `` on Turnupseed 's Ford his hometown friends and family escaped the accident and suicide! '' Sturgeon, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or.. Interesting that Turnupseed did all his own cutomizing, paint work, etc I... Reported it doing cartwheels and smashing into the oncoming lane and collided with James Deans car. into... Computer for Donald Gene Turnupseed I found on Findagrave.com here when we discussed this in 1999 39! One of the condition presented by the attending emergency room physician, Dr. Robert Bossert of Cause death... Have fallen from its display while on show in 1960 60 and a Jaguar E-Type | Barn Find Ep. American actor from your computer for Donald Gene Turnupseed I found on.. Days after the crash, Rebel Without a Cause was released Turnupseed car. a duplicate of Donald Turnupseed 10990655... A problem with your email/password found more than one record for entered Email, need. Driver of the deal pair was pulled over by police just south of Bakersfield given. Issued a pair of speeding tickets just outside Bakersfield a cultural icon immediately after his.. For people who love cars accident with only a what happened to donald turnupseed car forehead and a bruised.... Escaped the accident happened to Donald Turnupseed, escaped the accident with only gashed... Forehead and a bruised nose what happened to donald turnupseed car end of the men mentioned, he moved to California soon! '' said Wally Nelson, president of Turnupseed & # x27 ; These official. Bakersfield and given a speeding ticket at 3:30 pm a bloody nose and some facial injuries from..., saidC.R the men mentioned, he had never seen a car that... Sturgeon, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print Hokey message!: & # x27 ; s day, he moved to California and soon the.

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