One of the few remaining originals was auctioned at Bonhams for GBP 4.6 million, nearly €5.5 million.
No other manufacturer was as successful as Porsche with its road-going model featuring racing specifications. When production began in 1954, the Porsche 550 Spyder cost 24,600 DM; today it is worth several million.
It was designed as a mid-engine roadster by VW dealer W. Glöckler and his operations manager H. Ramelow.
The Type 550 became famous as the preferred brand of James Dean and Steve McQueen, as well as the legendary race car driver Hans Hermann, who competed successfully in races such as the Carrera Panamericana, the Mille Miglia, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
It was powered by a Fuhrmann Type 547 engine (a four-cylinder air-cooled boxer engine) with a crankshaft, delivering 110 PS and a top speed of 240 kph. Today, you’d have to pay approximately 360,000 euros just for a Fuhrmann engine.
The vehicle pictured is 100% visually identical to the original. This is an original 1955 chassis with a body built by Chamonix using VW parts from the factory in Brazil, as was customary for the 550. Both originals and replicas were actually built exclusively for the U.S. market, which is why this 550 Spyder also came from America. All non-original Chamonix components were ordered using genuine Porsche parts from the U.S. The verifiable bodywork and restoration costs total 240,000 euros. The rare racing engine alone is valued at over 100,000 euros.
The vehicle’s underbody, featuring a flat frame, was fabricated from aluminum, as were parts of the interior. To accommodate the 1984 Porsche racing engine No. 2002, the engine mounts were reinforced. An oil cooler and additional intake air fans were installed. The engine bulkhead was reinforced with fire protection. Technical Specifications: 145 PS–150 PS, displacement 1,925 ccm.
RPM 5,800, continuous operating speed 3,800 RPM. Carburetor 44 IDF, camshaft 3-point 320 degrees, bore 91 mm, stroke 74 mm, compression ratio 9.8:1, fuel: Super Plus 98–102 octane. Multigrade oil 20W50 or 15W40 (not fully synthetic).
Oil filter: Golf 1 or 2. Brakes: front disc brakes, rear drum brakes. Tires: 195/60 R15
Exhaust system: corresponds to the original 550 in4 in2 in1. The ignition system is equipped with a rev limiter. Both doors have been reinforced with impact protection. The aluminum underbody panel is equipped with air vents.
Original 1955 550 chassis, refurbished with new square-section leaf torsion bar springs in the axle tube, as well as torsion bars and improved shock absorbers. Type 1 Series 113 transmission with BP071697 swing axle. New interior, featuring leather and aluminum, an immobilizer, and—and—and—much more, all achieved over a 4-year build period. Better than factory-new.
The Porsche 550 Spyder has German TÜV documents and a German road registration certificate (Parts 1 and 2).
Additionally, there is a used fabric soft top from the U.S. dating from 1955. This can be fitted to the vehicle after purchasing the Spyder, if desired, or a new removable fabric soft top can be installed.
The vehicle is brand-new and has now been completed. Please make initial contact via email, as I travel frequently.
For questions without serious interest in purchasing, please see Wikipedia—you’ll find many answers there.
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