James Dean's 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, nicknamed "Little Bastard," is infamous for the fatal crash that claimed the actor's life on September 30, 1955. Following his death, a "curse" surrounded the car, with rumors claiming its salvaged parts caused fires, injuries, and deaths. Today, historians recognize this lore as a hoax fabricated by auto customizer George Barris to capitalize on the tragedy.