While it has proven impossible thus far to confirm or deny all the claims in this legend, it suffers from several clear factual errors. Barris was not the initial purchaser of the wrecked 550. Rather the doctors Troy McHenry and William Eschrid, both 550 Spyder owners, purchased the car directly from the insurance company. They removed the drivetrain, steering and other mechanical components to uses as spares in their cars, then sold the shell to George Barris.[35] Troy McHenry was killed at a race at Pomona 1956 when the Pitman arm in his steering failed, however this was not one of the "cursed" parts fitted to his 550.

Historic Auto Attractions in Roscoe, Illinois has claimed to have the last known piece of Dean's Spyder (a small chunk a few square inches in size). However this is untrue. The engine (#90059) is still in the possession of the son of the late Dr. Eschrich's. in addition, the restored transaxle–gearbox assembly of the Porsche (#10046) is known to be in the possession of a car collector in Mass, and was even offered for sale on eBay.