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January 14, 2015
Trashed cars usually end up in the junkyard after a wreck - unless perhaps a celebrity was killed as a passenger or behind the wheel.
The shell of James Dean's Porsche is said to be out there, but the Lincoln that JFK was assassinated in was refurbed and served several future Presidents. So the most infamous preserved write-off is probably the Buick Electra in which Jayne Mansfield met her untimely end in 1967.
For a long time that twisted masss of metal - complete with broken glass and blood stains from Mansfield's fatal injury - was on display in the Tragedy in US History Museum in St. Augustine, Frorida, but was auctioned off when the museum closed in 1998.
It's been in private hands ever since, and the future public display seemed unlikely as "it's just such a bizarre collectible, and not something an average person can share with a lot of people - but we can," says Scott Michaels of Dearly Departed Tours, a tour company that's been looking at the darker side of Tinsel Town for over a decade.
In a casual negotiation that started a couple of years ago after Michaels and his partner, Troy Musgrave, were invited to see the car, he "fished around to find out if the owner was interested in selling" after confirming that it was indeed the authentic car. "Truthfully I never thought in a million years we could obtain this," says Michaels, who again called the owner last last year to ask, "Hey, when are you going to sell us the Mansfield car?"
WE'RE GOING TO GET THE CAR, with your help!
Another viewing followed, and this time the owner admitted he thought the car should be on display for everyone to see, and that Dearly Departed Tours was the logical place.
Potentially the seventh owner, Michaels and his haunted--horror-tour team need to raise $25,000 to ensure safe delivery of the delicate cargo.
WE'RE CLEANING OUT THE ATTIC!
On Sunday February 28, 2016 we're having a garage/rummage/jumble/car boot/ treasure sale behind our shop. We'll have plenty of stuff... GOOD stuff. This is a fundraiser for a piece of history that will be shared with everyone.
There will be a few "big ticket" items that will be available online beforehand. This stuff is quality. For example:
Autographed by Sharon Tate as well as Patty Duke and Barbara Thingy
Serial Killer things
Upholstery swatches from the 1966 Buick
Inexcusable "art"
Lots of fun things.
It's really for serious collectors more than bargain hunters, even if it will doubtless attract the definitely curious.
"We've had a clear out, looked everywhere, gone to the wall in the gallery and at home," says Michaels, adding that "there will be creepy shit."
6603 W. Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
February 28, 2016
8am - 2pm
We will happily accept item donations for the sale.
I don't like moneybegs, but we want this. BAD.
The plan is to have the car on display in Hollywood by June of 2017 for the 50th Anniversary of the accident.
Fingers crossed.
If you are so inclined, monetary donations would be so gratefully accepted
Thank you!
Rain date for the sale is March 6 | 
