James Dean 50th Anniversary

Hello Bill,

My wife's cousin's boyfriend told me about this event that is held actually every year on Memorial Day. He said it is awesome, that there are alot of vintage vehicles & Hot Rods, especially Porsches. I am thinking of making plans myself and your right in booking early. I am going to ask him if he can hook me up for a place to stay, maybe some one in his family.

Gabe

The lady I spoke with at the Jack Ranch Diner said there had been some discussion about having the festivities on Saturday October 1st, merely for convenience, but it was decided to stay with the tradition of recognizing the date of James Dean's fatal accident on September 30th, so the affair will be on that Friday.

I'm not sure how your relative's friends second cousin once removed's calendar got messed-up, but Memorial Day is in May.

Also, I think September is harvest time in the vineyards and they are trying to empty the casks and give away the old stuff, to make room for the new fermentation, so it makes sense to book reservations early since all the winos will be heading up there for a handout(or down there for you northerners).

This is really intriguing... I think I'm in. I'm going to wait a few weeks to check for scheduling conflicts before I get a hotel. Looks like I can turn off I-5 WELL before the hideous broken pavement section that comprises the grapevine/LA freeway...

Da Governator needs to get on that. I watched the rear trailer of empty set of doubles catch better than 6" of air as I was passing it...

What else is planned for the September 30th memorial?
angela

In the "Anything Goes" forum there is a long string on the Anniversary Celebration to be held in Marion, Indiana. I think this is James Dean's Birthday Anniversary; which would be someting like an 74th Birthday Celebration (sort of an odd number).

Anybody closer to Central CA. than Marion, IN should consider coming to The 50th Anniversary in Chalome. After all, most of the Spyders, Speedsters, and replicas of these cars, are within a few hundred miles of Chalome, CA, so the turn-out should be fantastic.

Vince, Let's show them how starpower works - hype the event! (Maybe we can get Jacko to come, if he's not incarcerated. The Neverland Ranch is not that far from Chalome).

As many of you know James Dean owned a 356 Speedster which he sold to buy a 550 Spyder that he intended to race. On his way to Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA. (for his first race in his new Spyder) James Dean ran head on into a car turning left at a country road intersection in Cholame, CA. James Dean was killed by the impact. His passenger, who was his pit mechanic was very seriously injured but survived.

Several years ago a memorial was erected near the site of the crash. Each year an anniversary bash is held on September 30th - the date of the fatal accident. This year will be the 50th anniversary of James Dean's fatal accident. I have spoken to a lady named Sandra at the "Jack Ranch Diner" which is generally the meeting place of the crowds that come to that intersection in Cholame. She said the Jack Ranch Diner is planning an outdoor barbeque, at least one band and some other stuff for the visitors. She said there are always Dean Fans and Car collectors at the event but this year they expect the biggest crowd yet.

The closest lodging is twenty seven miles west in Paso Robles, CA.
I just booked my reservation for Thursday night September 29, at the Holiday Inn in Paso Robles, CA.:

PASO ROBLES
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
2455 RIVERSIDE AVE
PASO ROBLES, CA 93446
LOCAL PHONE: 010-805-2386500

I hope a few other SOC members show up for the bash on September 30th. P.S. Paso Robles is winery country so there will also be pleanty of opportunity for tasting the grape.

I am hopeful that Thunder Ranch will have the car finished by the week of the 30th of September so my wife and I can fly down, pick up the car, see the many sights of San Diego, check out the Hotel Del Coronado, then on to Del Mar, La Jolla, and anyplace else worth visiting, then amble up Hwy 1, finally ending up at Cholame (Chalome?) for the big fest. Hope you plan to attend, Bill.

I plan on goin also but im not sure what time everyone else is goin to show up?ill be traveling down the grapevine from lancaster so its right around 160 miles from me if anyone from so-cal whats to meet up on the morning of the 30th im game........Roger....unforgivin1@cs.com

I'm going!! This is really cool - a fellow is arranging a surprise for his elderly father. The dad gets to go for a ride in the spyder with me (the father is infatuated with the spyders/james dean etc). We'll meet, load the fellow up and off into the sunset we go!! The best part is that daddy has NO clue what his son has arranged. The dad thinks the son's Miata (stock) is powerful...

Should be alot of fun. I'm driving the coast highway down there and then playing it real loose. Might just throw in a sleeping bag and camp somewhere.

50th anniversary comes only once. See all-ya-all there!
angela

OK, I'm in........is there a site to go to to see what will be happening and the dates....
Realisticly I can only be gone for one overnight so I will need to plan this to be there at the right time.....
Who else is going from the Valley or South Bay or Long beach/orange county area?????

JamesDean.com is an invention of the James Dean Trust, which was established for commercial purposes after his death. As such its intent is to charge royalties and commercialize on everthing relating to James Dean and his life.

The Memorial in Chalome has happened spontaneously for the last fifty years without any help from the James Dean Trust or JamesDean.com. This memorial is just a bunch of people who want to gather to remember someone who made an impression on us.

I suggest no one contact The Trust or the James Dean website since the September 30th event is not a commercial memorial. I believe their involvement would change the atmosphere of the event significantly. And I believe they might want to become involved in or interfere with the spontaneous celebration of the memorial.

Would "The Rebel" have wanted his memory commercialized?

hey vince ,if you want to meet up the morning of the 30th where would you want to , are you goin up the 5? let me know so we could hook up together ............Roger

Roger,
I'm not especially fond of the 5, I would prefer the 101...I guess we need to look at a map to see where Chalome is and figure the best way to get there....Where are you starting out from?
At this point in time I am trying to keep that weekend clear and as the time approaches, figure the best route considering who is going and their location.....
Anyone interested, post here and we will figure out the best way for us to hook up.....

well im comin from lancaster,I would take the 138 to the 5 and take it to lost hills exit(46)take it to the event, its the easiest way lots of sceanery ,ive been there several times.........Roger

OK Roger, you plan the route, I'll be there, coming from Redondo Beach, 405 to the 5.....just tell me where to meet you...
How about any of you others???? Interested????

Im thinkin we should meet in Gorman, do you know where that is?its really easy if you want to meet .heres my e-mail so we could talk and exchange cell#s...Unforgivin1@cs.com

Vince has a good point. Particularly for those people who have engines that have been bored and stroked and carburated significantly (or for tired rebuilds). In September, the 5 Freeway can be a hot drive, with ambiant temperatures over 100 degrees F, (but it's dry heat) and the "Grapevine Grade" can be a tough pull.

It may make sense to use the 101 Freeway. The 101's proximity to the ocean will surely make it a more comfortable ride for you, any passenger, and for your engine. (It'll probably be at least 20 degrees cooler the whole way).

Take the 101 to Paso Robles, watch for signs for Hwy 46 (East). Chalome is about 28 miles east of the junction of the 101 and Highway 46 east in Paso Robles. The memorial is very near the Jack Ranch Diner in Cholame.

James Dean's route was the 101 to Hwy 99 (which has been replaced by the 5 Freeway)to Hwy 46 West (at Lost Hills) to Chalome. But Dean's Spyder was a stock "production class" racer, so his engine probably tolerated the heat without any problems.

The 5 is faster, but only if you don't break down.

Bill, are you going???

Yes, I am going. (See the first post on this string). And I believe I will take the 101 route. I've done the 5 to the 46 a couple of times and it's not nearly as interesting as the 101. I understand several car clubs are expected to be there; both hot rod and Porsche enthusiasts.

As the date approaches we can make arrangements to congregate at some point near the 101 in the San Fernando Valley and caravan northward, but I have planned to leave on the September 29th, so that may not work for the one day turnaround bunch.

Bill,

Determining the "Weather" you may see me there. I live in the Sierra Nevadas North East of Fresno and Fresno is not that far from Chalome.

As for Ambient Temperature; it could be "HOT" late Sept early Oct.

I'm in the HVAC business and if it is Hot, you could look at 105-110 Degrees easily. There is nothing in the way of "Service's" in this area other then Paso Robles or small "Wide Spots in the Road" which most don't even offer fuel.

For those that do make the "Run" they need to bring the normal "Road Trip" items especially an "Extra Fan Belt."

The CHP stakes this area out pretty heavy not only on the road but from the air so you should watch your speed.

If the temperature decreases enough as to effect work load, I may join you.

So far this Summer, in Central San Joaquin Valley, the ambient temp has been over 100 degrees for 8 Weeks and has hit high's of 106-108 routinely.

Best Regards,

Jack Blake

trying to figure out the best time to be in Cholame for this event has proven tougher than I expected, can't find any advertising about it on the internet, lots of stories, the actual hiway and what it looked like at the time etc....
Bill G. says he is staying over Thursday night in Paso Robles, but I can't realisticly lose two days of work so my plan is to leave Friday morning.....
If there are some of you who are planning this trip, please post here and perhaps we can come up with a plan and route.....

I met Rick Deutsch at a car show up here couple weeks ago, and he provided me some info which he asked me to post to our site.
This guy appears to be a real James Dean history fanatic.

The crash occurred at 5:45 m on Sept 30 at an intersection in Cholame, east of Paso Robles. There is a small Diner there, about 3/4 mile from the crash site. The only thing left at the actual site is a makeshift alumimum memorial for a marker. Each year people come at that exact time to pay their respects. There is a larger than average crowd expected this year. There are a few car clubs expected to show up. A 550 replica will be driven up from Sherman Oaks to recreate the route that Dean took (anyone know who this is?) A '50 Ford will be parked at the crash site.
The Diner is having a car show Fri-Sun along with a DJ and food.

Further info can be obtained by visiting http://jamesdeanindeath.com/

I believe I have Rich's phone # if anyone needs more info. He is bringing down a group of 8 older T-birds.

Hope this is helpful

UC Dale

Thank you, Dale...............OK, who wants to go..........
most, or all of the hotels in the area are full....my wife has checked. I plan on heading out Friday morning, coastal route,
spending the night in either Atescadero (if I can get a room) or Morro Bay (obviously further, but might be closest lodging)
I know most of you guys are posers and don't like being to far from home, so I don't expect a big response, but even a few speedsters in caravan is a lot of fun.....Hell, I don't even like JD all that much,
Just a reason to ride.........

Vince - I know Rick had a block of rooms and he may not take them all. I think Holiday Inn in PR. I will contact him and see if I can work something out to snag any his group wont be using. Stay tuned.
BTW its 5:45 PM.

Dale, judging by the web site you provided, this could be a monster event.....It appears the best shot at getting a room is in Atescadero
Thanks again for the info....

**Urgent**

Hotel Rooms in Paso Robles -

as of 10:15 am today, there were 5 rooms just released at the Holiday Inn 805 238 6500. A little spendy, but available. Grab em while theyre still available.

UC Dale

Don't know where your info came from, called the Holiday inn, no rooms avaiable, but I got a room at a place called the Adelaide Inn
also in Paso Robles, so I guess I'm set. They still have rooms cause
I had a choice....805 238 2770 in the 100.00 a night range....
Am I driving alone????????

hey vince ,you wont be alone i will meet you at the jack ranch cafe because im comon up the grapevine(its closer for me that way)also im thinkin i wiil show up about noon i will look for you white speedy!

Alright Roger.....If you look at the link Dale posted above, you will find some of the activities that will be taking place....
see you on Friday......

Wife and I are staying in Cambria....a bit farther west, but rooms were available there with no problems as of two weeks ago. Nice windy road from Cambria to Paso IIRC. If Thunder Ranch gets the car finished by Sept 26, we will fly down to San Diego and drive it up the PCH; if not, we will try to slink into the event unnoticed in my wife's Prius. Yeah, right... can't wait to attend the 50th anniversary of Dean's death in a PRIUS. I had begged her to buy an RSK. Go figure.

Barry, If Dean was alive today, he would be in his 70's, who knows, he may have been driving a Prius.....another few years at 3.00 + for gas, we may all be driving them.....
Cambria/Morro Bay very cool places to stay, tipped a few there just 2 weeks ago, Enjoy......Look for me in MR356 at Cholame, if you dare.....

Vince: I'll gladly take the dare. If I find you, I'll buy you a tall cold one so's we can toast JD and MR356.

Barry, your on....

BTW, the correct pronunciation of Cholame, according to the James Dean website, is Cho-LAM (rhymes with Shazam for those old enough to remember Captain Marvel). Vince: bring your large beer stein, and Angela, I am keeping fingers crossed on both hands for the successful completion of the repairs on your fabulous black Spyder. Hope to see you both there. You too, Bill George.

Guys,
I wish I could be there, but alas I can't.
Please take some good photos, it would be cool to have one for the calendar.
-=theron

The Ron, I am taking my digital, and I promise to take plenty of Pic's, but your requirements for pixels and all that other B.S. does not compute for me, which is why I don't bother to send one of my VS on the beach in Hermosa with the surf board and all the good lookin broads, for your Calendar.
I will post what I take and you can either use it or not....

Okay, Barry, the finger crossing worked. Drove the little black fiend just last night! Made hotel reservations just now. I was afraid if I made them before the car was running....

Staying in Atascadero @ Best Western, 805-466-4449. Rooms availble in the $90 and up. Getting kinda skinny for rooms in Paso Robles. Managers at the hotels don't know why, but "something's going on!"
angela

Yeah, sounds like something BIG is going on. I wonder what! Glad to hear your car is up and running. I'll keep an eye out for it. My wife and I are sneaking into Cholame in our silver 2002 Prius. I thought of getting some racing numbers for it, but (Duh) I doubt it would fool anybody. But, hey, it might have been good for a few laughs.

I am planning on driving up to Paso Robles Thursday from San Dimas. I have reservations at the Holiday Inn Express for both Thursday and Friday. I am looking for anyone who would like to join me with their car in the drive. I have a Vintage 356 Speedster. I would appreciate any information as to any events that will be happening. My name is Dennis Moore and can be reached at 909 599 5915.

Dennis,
Nothing organized is planned with the exception of a big car show at the "drive-in" restaurant near the actual site of the accident, that I have been able to determine. I think the car show is Friday but could also be on saturday if you figure the number of cars that should be there...there is a gathering at the actual site, at the approximate time of the accident, I think somewhere around 4:30
Friday afternoon/evening....
I am driving up Friday morning, leaving sometime Saturday afternoon for the return trip, If your interested in caravaning back on Saturday look me up....MR356