![]() ![]() The 550 Spyder, which took its name because it was the 550th design project undertaken by the Porsche company, made its international debut in October 1953 at the Paris Motor Show. A startup video with footage of the engine running is attached below, along with two ride-along videos.The Porsche 550 was a sports car produced by Porsche from 1953-1956. It was shown at Monterey Car Week and Rennsport Reunion after being completed. The bare aluminum body shell can be seen in the photo above, and additional photos from the build process are included in the gallery below.Īn FIA Historic Technical Passport has been issued to the car, though it has not been raced. Koni Classic shock absorbers are featured all around. Suspension utilizes double adjustable torsion bars and a 17mm sway bar up front, while the rear setup incorporates swing axles and adjustable drilled trailing arms. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a split-case, Type 519 four-speed manual transaxle. The seller notes that the car’s wiring and plumbing will also accommodate a Fuhrmann four-cam engine, as utilized in original 550 Spyders. The wet-sump lubrication system incorporates an engine-mounted oil cooler. The 1.5-liter OHV flat-four was originally built for a Porsche 356 1500 Super and features twin-choke Solex carburetors fed by dual Bendix fuel pumps. The five-digit odometer shows approximately 250 miles. Green-lettered VDO instrumentation includes an 8k-rpm tachometer, 160-mph speedometer, and a combination gauge for oil temperature and fuel level. Additional features include a banjo-spoke steering wheel with an ivory-colored rim, as well as a matching shift knob and a perforated hand-brake lever. The inner body panels and scuttle hoop are painted to match the exterior color, and the floorpans are exposed aluminum. The cockpit houses two aluminum-framed bucket seats trimmed in tan “barber-pole” textured vinyl. Brake cooling is assisted by vented backing plates with air deflectors. The braking system incorporates aluminum drums and duplex actuation up front. Lemmerz 16” pressed-steel wheels are painted blue and wear Michelin X tires, and a matching spare is secured with leather straps aft of the engine, under the rear clamshell. The seller notes that the driver-side rear wheel well has a rub mark caused by a towing strap, and that the passenger-side rear wheel well has a tire rub mark. ![]() Design features include a Perspex windscreen for the the driver, an aluminum tonneau panel for the passenger side, a Monza-style fuel cap, and a fared-in sideview mirror. The livery was inspired by a 550 Spyder that raced at Le Mans in 1955. The body is finished in Ivory, a 1950s Porsche color, and features blue spears on the rear fenders. The frame is constructed from welded, cold-drawn steel tubing and has been powder coated black. Assembly of the car was then completed by 502 in Kentucky. A coachbuilder in the UK hand formed the aluminum bodywork for this re-creation using bucks and jigs provided by 502 Motorworks. Just 90 examples of the original 550 Spyder model were produced between 19, including cars allocated both to customers and Porsche works racing teams. It is now offered by the builder with an FIA Historic Technical Passport, photos from the build, and a clean Kentucky title that describes the car as a 1955 Special. Following completion in 2017, this 550 Spyder re-creation received certification from the FIA for participation in historic racing. The exterior is finished in ivory with blue rear-fender spears, and the interior features a banjo steering wheel, period-look VDO instrumentation, and bucket seats upholstered in tan vinyl. Power is provided by a mid-mounted 1.5L flat-four sourced from a 356, and additional features include a Type 519 transaxle, Solex carburetors, twin Bendix fuel pumps, alloy brake drums, adjustable torsion bars, and 16” Lemmerz wide-five wheels. This Porsche 550 Spyder re-creation was built by 502 Motorworks and features hand-formed aluminum bodywork over a tubular ladder frame. ![]()
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