autoevolution
 

Never-Restored Porsche 550 RS Spyder Estimated to Fetch Up to $8.2 Million

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.
1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored) 65 photos
Photo: Bonhams
1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder (never restored)
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.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories