"On the Road to Salinas"

James Dean, Porsche 550 Spyder

1955 Buick CHP Patrol Car

1955

Limited Edition Print

New work by Benjamin Freudenthal, noted French automotive and aviation artist, continues the French fascination with the short life of James Dean.

On September 30th in 1955, James Dean and his mechanic Rolf Wütherich are on their way to participate to a race in Salinas California. Weather is good, 

Highway 466 is free of traffic.  James Dean drives a bit too fast and he is given a ticket by a Californian Highway Patrol policeman. He gets back on the road 

under the disapproving eye of the officer : “You can go Mister Dean, but drive carefully”. A stranger is staring at them on the left side of the painting (the 

stranger is Cary Grant, with a Stearman Model 75 crop duster in the distance, later to chase Mr. Grant in North by Northwest, the 1959 spy thriller.  The scene 

was shot near where James Dean died). Four hours later, a Ford Tudor Sedan suddenly turns left in front of James Dean’s Porsche.  Dean is killed instantly.  

His mechanic is seriously injured, only to die in another car crash years later.

Signed numbered Limited Edition print, one of 350, printed in France on 300g paper.  Size is about 32" (80cm) x 20" (50cm).

All posters will be shipped in a commercial or USPS poster tube.  We are always happy to combine purchases to minimize shipping expense.