Jive-Bomber submitted a new blog post: The Cars of 'Rebel Without a Cause'... Continue reading the Original Blog Post
That Dean black Merc must have rode like a boat in ocean swells. Several scenes in "Rebel" show it rockin' and rollin' when he quick stopped or did a curve. Still, it was a cool look back then, as a kid i always wanted a '50 Merc for my ride--never to be.
As a teenager I thought that movie was the best ever coming out of Hollywood, seems if you grew up in that era you can relate to someone who characterized the at***ude of James Dean, be it intentional or coincidence.
I first watched it as a little snot nosed kid in about 1983 or so. Absolutely fell in love with it. I ***ociated with the coupe that went over the cliff (my dad has a 47 Merc Coupe) and especially Dean's Merc. I built an identical 1/25 scale model that was a mirror clone of that Merc. Really love this clip you found!! It would have added to the movie for myself, haha! I remember the chopped 40(?) coupe as well, more specifically as it's scurrying away after the chicky run scene.
The chopped '40 is at the Chicken Run. It is parked on the left side 3rd car in when they are staging the race and is the first car to take off afterwards.
What a great scene. The Merc in this film was perfect in my eyes. Slight cowboy rake, nosed, decked and black.
Maybe a little weird, but if you don't look at the "star" cars in some of those traffic and drive in scenes and just look at the "supporting cars" you'll see some really neat looking iron. The street scenes where they drive down the avenue shows some "traffic" and parked cars that are def. cool. I imagine a call went out when they filmed the movie for cars to show up as supporting cast. To say "my car was in the movie---" would probably last a rodders lifetime.
Modern times photo of the car here: https://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11.../rebel-without-a-cau/oldtimers1989_0001t.html
One of my favorite all time movies. The film has a certain feeling to It that just pulls you in, like you are there.
Super cool. The outside shots of Dawson High were filmed at Santa Monica High School. Inside shots were taken at John Marshall High School in LA. The three young stars died young and tragically; Dean in a horrific car crash, Mineo stabbed (in the heart) to death during a mugging and Wood in a convoluted drowning.
Thanks for posting this thread. I have a couple of other photos of this car, including some build photos. BTW, That chopped and channeled 40 was also in Hot Rod Girl, but that film was black & white. The second to the last photo is 21 year old Larry Nicklin, the day he purchased the 40 from a used car lot, the last photo is Larry proudly posing next to his completed custom, it was black for only a year, he repainted it a custom mix coral red. I was fortunate to become close friends with Mr. Nicklin, he shared some funny stories related to this car.
Current state. I have a pair of 49 Plymouth bumpers planned to mount to get it closer to the original appearance. 
Hello, The history of both Santa Monica HS buildings and campus is similar to our own Long Beach Poly HS campus. Both opened in 1891 and 1895. Then the earthquake hit in 1933 and the reconstruction of both campus complex took shape for the 50s-60s students. The buildings and structures are similar. The old buildings have been fixed to meet building codes and still have the “old” look to them. Jnaki In our old neighborhood, changes have been made to one of the oldest schools in the Westcoast. Long Beach Poly HS 1950 1960s to today The old stucco buildings were pretty similar. Two stories, smooth sides and driveways to reach each buildings for delivery supplies and for the student walkways. At first, we were able to park in various places next to the buildings on the wide driveways and places where it did not interfere with the student access to the next building or two. But, the closest place to park was near the shops complex to do work on your car in auto shop or metal shop. That way, the parking spot for a 4th period cl*** is pretty much guaranteed. Easy access once the cl*** started was the key. Drive up to the roll up garage door and now, work on the teenage car in the shop cl*** location. YRMV As of 2026, the old 1940s school buildings we had to attend daily during high school, similar to the one in the movie scenes in Los Angeles are going to get their chance to shine again. The zillion dollar make over of the whole campus is starting and when finished, will be the most modern high school in existence. Along with a few remodeled “old” structures to keep them where the campus location has been for years. Not only will LB Poly HS have the most football players in the NFL history, but now it will be known as the “high school of the future” with all of the modern upgrades and designs put in place. It will take years, with the minimum of distractions for the students’ school day. But it will be worth the effort. And, yes, there will be an on campus Automotives Shop building and the latest machines...
That '56 small back window was damn near brand new when Hot Rod Girl began production in March of '56. Already fixed up with stacks, tarp and covered running boards, WWW tires and hubcaps. 6 cylinder grill and a shaved hood. Probably lowered? Love to have it today. Dad had stacks on his first 56 bit they only went up about 3 inches over the bed. Also had a dropped axle in it that kept getting him tickets back when they'd get har***ed for being too low. I wish I had a pic or 2 of dad's.
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