Inspired by the Porsche 356 Speedster and prototype racers built by Walter Glockler, the peeps over at Porsche decided in the early ‘50s that it would be great to design a race-ready car of their own. Thus, the almighty 550 Spyder was born into this world.
This car, however, is a 550 RS Spyder. The two letters at the end stand for Renn Sport (~Motor Sport), so you get the idea. As per the Bonhams auction house, the 1956 model in the photo gallery is “an exceptionally original, never restored yet beautifully preserved” example of the breed, a race-prepped roadster estimated to sell for up to an over-frigging-whelming £6.2 million.
Converted to U.S. dollars at current exchange rates, that’ll be $8.2 million or thereabout. Of course, the reason why this baby here is worth that much is because of it is a time capsule with a little bit of patina here and there. In addition to that, Bonhams mentions that only 90 units were ever built, each and every one of them boasting lightweight aluminum. Despite the fact it’s powered by only a 1.5-liter engine, the low curb weight helps the 550 RS Spyder accelerate quickly, on to a maximum velocity of 137 mph (220 km/h).
It’s even neater that the 550 is a successful racer. Period driver Hans Hermann, for example, finished third overall in the grueling 1954 Carrera Panamericana. What’s so great about it? Well, Hans beat 73 cars with bigger engines over a stretch of 1,910 miles (3,070 km). Unfortunately, he couldn’t keep up with a Ferrari 375 Plus Pinin Farina and a Ferrari 375 MM Vignale.
Chassis #0090 here, however, hasn’t seen racing action. As per Bonhams, “it's been well looked after, and even won the FIVA award for originality at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2010 – the perfect Porsche. A real time warp, and likely the last one left in such excellent, original condition."
So there you have it. If you’re in the market for one, if not the most original Porsche 550 still in existence, look no further than the car before you.
Converted to U.S. dollars at current exchange rates, that’ll be $8.2 million or thereabout. Of course, the reason why this baby here is worth that much is because of it is a time capsule with a little bit of patina here and there. In addition to that, Bonhams mentions that only 90 units were ever built, each and every one of them boasting lightweight aluminum. Despite the fact it’s powered by only a 1.5-liter engine, the low curb weight helps the 550 RS Spyder accelerate quickly, on to a maximum velocity of 137 mph (220 km/h).
It’s even neater that the 550 is a successful racer. Period driver Hans Hermann, for example, finished third overall in the grueling 1954 Carrera Panamericana. What’s so great about it? Well, Hans beat 73 cars with bigger engines over a stretch of 1,910 miles (3,070 km). Unfortunately, he couldn’t keep up with a Ferrari 375 Plus Pinin Farina and a Ferrari 375 MM Vignale.
Chassis #0090 here, however, hasn’t seen racing action. As per Bonhams, “it's been well looked after, and even won the FIVA award for originality at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2010 – the perfect Porsche. A real time warp, and likely the last one left in such excellent, original condition."
So there you have it. If you’re in the market for one, if not the most original Porsche 550 still in existence, look no further than the car before you.