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 instantly by the impact. His passenger, who was his pit mechanic, was very seriously injured but survived the crash.
Several years ago a memorial was erected a couple of hundred feet from the intersection that was 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 crash. I have spoken to a lady named Susan at the "Jack Ranch Diner" which is very ner the memorial and a couple hundred feet from the site of the crash. The Cafe is the meeting place for 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 James Dean Fans and Car collectors (mostly Porsche) at the event, but this year they expect the biggest crowd yet.
You can contact Sue at The Jack Ranch Cafe, at 805 238 5642 if you want more information.
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.:
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
2455 RIVERSIDE AVE
PASO ROBLES, CA 93446
LOCAL PHONE: 1-805-2386500
I hope a few other SOC members show up for the bash on September 30th. The Paso Robles is winery country, so there will also be pleanty of opportunity for tasting "the grape".
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