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2018 Shannons Melbourne Spring Classic Auction
Lot
16

1997 'Porsche 550 Replica' Spyder

$85,000

Sold

Specifications

Engine 2.5 litre four cylinder (See Text)
Gearbox Five-speed manual
Body Work Spyder
Colour Silver
Interior Red
Trim Leather
Wheels Steel
Brakes Disc/disc

Description

This lot is no longer available

The Porsche 550 Spyder was a racing sports car produced by from 1953-1956. Inspired by the Porsche 356 which was created by Ferry Porsche, as well as Spyder prototypes built and raced by Walter Glöckler in 1951, the factory decided to build a car designed specifically for use in racing. The Porsche 550 Spyder was introduced at the 1953 Paris Auto Show and eventually, 90 of the original 1955 model were built for use by the factory team and favoured privateers. The beauty of the 550 was that it could be driven to the track, raced and then driven home, which showed the flexibility of being both a road and track car. Perhaps the most famous of the first-series Porsche 550s built was James Dean's "Little Bastard", which Dean fatally crashed into Donald Turnupseed's 1950 Ford Custom on 30 September 1955. On the track, the Porsche 550 Spyder was regularly in a winning position, usually finishing in the top three results in its class. With genuine 1955 Porsche 550 Spyders commanding huge money on the global collector car market, replicas such as this car offer an affordable alternative.