GOT R75,000,000 TO SPARE? YOU COULD HAVE A 1956 PORSCHE 550 RS SPYDER IN YOUR GARAGE.
When it comes to Porsche’s racing pedigree, the 550 Spyder RS is an icon. It all started back in 1951 when Porsche tasted victory at Le Mans with the 356, but it wasn’t long before they decided to build something more focused for the track. By 1953, the 500 Spyder was born, led by the bold Walter Glöckler. Just a year later, Porsche upped the ante with the 550 Spyder, which featured the ground-breaking Type 547 quad-cam engine designed by Ernst Führmann. That engine later found its way into the legendary 718 RSK, but it was the 550 Spyder RS that cemented Porsche as a dominant force in small-capacity international sports car racing. This particular example, chassis ‘0082,’ is one of the final 90 Porsche 550 Spyder RS models ever produced, making it as rare as they come. Ordered by D’Ieteren Frères, Porsche’s Belgian distributor, this Spyder left the factory in March 1956, sporting the distinctive yellow paint and black interior of the Équipe Nationale Belge team. The car was piloted by a slew of Belgian motorsport talent, from Claude Dubois to Christian Goethals, Freddy Rousselle, and even the renowned lady racer Gilberte Thirion. It competed throughout 1956 and 1957, racking up podium finishes across Europe. Among its many accolades, '0082' placed 3rd in its class at the 12 Hours of Reims in 1956 and claimed victory at the 1,000 km of Paris, finishing a mere 20 seconds behind the legendary duo of Phil Hill and Alfonso de Portago in their Ferrari 857 S.
In 1957, the car was one of only ten 550 Spyders to ever compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, though it was unfortunately disqualified following a rule infraction. Despite this, it kept pushing, achieving a 2nd-place finish at the Grand Prix de Frontières and placing 3rd in both the Grand Prix de Spa and the Nürburgring 1,000 km. The 1960s saw this beauty re-bodied by Apal as a coupé and equipped with a 2.0-litre Porsche Carrera engine. After passing through several hands, including Belgian racers Edmond Pery and Pierre Bonvoisin, the Spyder eventually found itself in the possession of Michaelis of Embourg, who stored it for two decades after swapping out the Carrera engine for a Super 90 unit. In 1989, it was snapped up by Corrado Cupellini, who set out to restore the car to its original spec, even commissioning a new aluminium body. Under the stewardship of later owner Peter Ludwig, a €100,000 restoration was carried out at Porsche Zentrum Würzburg in 2000, where the car received correct bodywork, a proper Führmann engine, and transmission. The rare aluminium/steel wheels, designed specifically for Le Mans, were also located, bringing this car as close to its original racing glory as possible. Having participated in the Mille Miglia Storica in 2001, this 550 Spyder RS is now gearing up for its next chapter as it heads to the auction block at Bonhams. Estimated to fetch between €3,400,000 - €3,900,000 (R66,000,000 - R75,000,000), it’s a true slice of motorsport history that collectors would give anything to get their hands on.
Take a look at the brilliant YouTube video from Motorvision International as they break down the history of this iconic Porsche RS and delve into why a surviving model is something coveted by those who have the passion and the means: History In The Making | Classic Porsche 550 RS Spyder | Motorvision | Motorvision International
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel here for more exciting and exclusive SXdrv content! And don't forget to smash that subscribe button!