![]() ![]() In some respects the tragic death of James Dean has overshadowed what would have otherwise been an entirely positive story about a small European automaker that built an innovative racing car, and went on to win countless David vs Goliath battles on the race tracks of Europe and North America. This 550 Spyder was rebodied in the 1960s with an alloy RS60 body, and it was given a new factory engine. The Porsche 550 Spyder is probably best-known today as the car that James Dean was driving in September of 1955 when he was involved in an accident and killed instantly. It was recently rolled out of a barn where it had been sitting for 35+ years and it’s now being offered for sale. The car you see here started out as a standard 550, it was then later upgraded with a new factory engine and an RS60 body in the 1960s to remain competitive.The 550 Spyder was powered by the legendary flat-four Porsche Carrera four-cam engine, with double shaft-driven overhead cams per bank, dual ignition, dry sump lubrication, and 110 bhp from a displacement of 1498cc. ![]() ![]() It was designed to be as low and aerodynamic as possible, and it racked up many wins in period 1.1 and 1.5 liter racing classes. Unlike the Porsche 356, the Porsche 550 is mid-engined, with the engine in the rear but in front of the rear axle line.Values have been climbing steadily in recent years, a 1958 550A sold for $5.17 million dollars in 2018. The Porsche 550 Spyder was introduced in 1953 and sold until 156, with just 90 examples produced in total.Fast Facts – A Barn Find Porsche 550 Spyder Early in its life it was owned and driven by a number of well-known Swiss racing drivers including Rita Rampinelli, Heinz Schiller, and Formula 1 ace Jo Siffert.ĭuring the 1960s the car was upgraded with a number of “werks” factory components including an engine upgrade and new Porsche RS60 bodywork – in order to ensure the car would remain competitive against more modern machinery. This 1956 Porsche 550 Spyder has spent the better part of 35 years sitting in a barn somewhere in the Swiss countryside. ![]()
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