Jan Berry's Corvette

[G B.]

I finally received the 1974 back issue of Rolling Stone magazine with the Jan & Dean article. The eBay seller waited two full weeks for my $8 check to clear before he mailed the magazine to me. I guess he wanted to be sure I wasn't out to steal his 30 year-old trash...

I won't repeat the gory details of Jan's injuries. The author had interviewed the first person on the wreck scene, Mike Barry. Mike is actor Gene Barry's son. He was inside his house on the curve where the wreck happened and heard the crash. He said the car was damaged so badly he couldn't tell if it had been a coupe or a convertible. The roof was gone and he was looking at Jan through the top of the car.

Anyway, the article said that Jan and Dean each bought new 1964, 1965, and 1966 model Corvettes. The wreck was in April of 1966. The chart in the article identified Dean's last Corvette as a "'66 Corvette (427)". Jan's car is identified as just a "'66 Corvette". This implies that Jan's Corvette was a small block.

Dean sold his 427 Corvette later that year and bought a new station wagon. The article made no mention of what happened to Jan's wrecked '66 Corvette.

[Kevin M.]

Re: Jan Berry's Corvette

Any new picture?

Kevin

[Mike G.]

Re: Jan Berry's Corvette

Jerry: Any mention of passengers? I've heard an urban legend that several girls were on board and all perished.

[Franz E.]

Re: Jan Berry's Corvette

LA Times 1966 " 3 more die in traffic: singer hurt" Jan was driving a 66 big block along with three friends, one occupying the passengers seat the other two cramped in the back. From the Times photograph it must have been a horrific accident. His car isn't distinguishable as a Corvette; coupe or roadster. However, if you examine the accident scene photograph closely it's evident his car was equipped with aftermarket AC, relatively new for mid-years at that time.

I've been looking for Jan's 65 roadster for years. Last reported sighting was in Southern California, it's home turf. In all probability in a NCRS members garage with an original "Hobie" surf board and Jack's Surf Shop decal on the side glass.

[G B.]

I don't think so.

The article makes absolutely no mention of passengers.

Awful details were given about Jan's appearance while sitting in the wreck: "the windshield - cracked, bent, but not shattered - was woven around his face like a blanket...". A second by-stander came running up screaming "Get him out! We gotta get him out!" Mike Barry replied "No way, lady. We move him and we're going to kill him.". You'd think Mike Barry would have mentioned the carnage of any other people who were riding in that car.

The article had a little too much information on some subjects: "Just before the accident she [his fiance, Jill Gibson] had caught him in bed with two girl hitchhikers he had picked up and she ended their engagement.". Maybe that is where the story of passengers began.

[G B.]

No

I assume you mean of the Corvette that was wrecked.

[Joe L.]

Re: Jan Berry's Corvette

Franz-----

If we only knew the VIN number of that 65, it might be possible to find it.

[Jim W.]

Re: Jan Berry's Corvette

Jerry, Thanks for this additional information on Jan Berry's Corvette. What happened to the car remains a mystery as much as James Dean's wrecked Porsche which I read toured for a while before disappearing many years ago. Another famous car mystery is the 1997 theft of the James Bond Aston Martin DB5 that was stolen from an airport hangar in Boca Raton. It was the original and real effects car, not the backup road car or one of the two show cars. Very interesting topic. Thanks, Jim - Member #2978

[G B.]

Jan or Dean "Collectables"

There should be plenty of old Corvettes left out there with either Jan or Dean listed in their title history.

The article mentioned that Jan Berry once owned a '59 and a '60 Corvette that he bought used. Evidently he bought new '63, '64, '65, and '66 Corvettes as soon as they were available. He drove a '57 Chevy in high school.

Dean Torrence drove a '32 Ford in high school. He then bought a used '58 Corvette and a used '59 before buying new Corvette models every year from 1963 through 1966.

The article also listed their girlfriends by name for each year from 1958 through 1966. But I digress...

[G B.]

Clarification

The wreck photo in the article is the same one that was posted here. It's a little more clear, however. I am certain the Corvette is a coupe, and I can clearly see a driver's seat headrest, an a.c. condenser, a powerglide cooler, and a publicity photo of Jan & Dean (laying on the engine).

[Michael H.]

Re: Clarification

Wonder what ever happened to the original photo. Was that from the LA Times? I suppose the insurance co would have had the original VIN and accident report but not much chance of ever finding that. That car probably eventually went to the squisher but the VIN tag is probably on some all original 66 coupe today. It's a form of recycling.

[Dennis M.]

Re: Jan or Dean "Collectables"

After searching several website articles, it is mentioned about 3 passengers killer and non stated anything about who they were or names. Such as shame not to be identified.

Save The Wave

[G B.]

Check this site

http://www.jananddean-janberry.com/66-present/begin-end/index.html

You'll find a contemporary newspaper account of the April 12, 1966 wreck. It doesn't mention any passengers.

[Jim W.]

Re: Check this site

Jerry, I found the same thing Dennis did. Websites that mention three passengers were killed but found no printed newspaper accounts that mentioned any passengers. Here's one of them I was able to go back to quickly.

http://www.spectropop.com/remembers/JBobit.htm

[Jim W.]

Re: Check this site

This website article does mention a Los Angeles writer at the bottom of the page.