1958 Porsche 550 A Spyder

This Porsche 550A, serial number 144, is a rare example of a race car that has not been restored. There is no record as to why this 'development 356' was called the 550 - perhaps it is because its quoted weight is 550kg (or 1212.5 lb). Erwin Komenda's design drew heavily on Walter Glockler's custom-built 356, the car having a simple steel ladder frame with an Ernst Fuhrmann-designed 1500cc, flat-4-cylinder air-cooled motor installed ahead of the gearbox, and not behind it. By 1958 the motors developed nearly 130 horsepower, which coupled with their lightweight and aero shape, meant they were capable of giant-killing performance. Porsche's first proper race car was an unmitigated success.

Spyder 550A 0144 is a true 'time capsule.' For nearly 50 years 0144 was parked for a resting period in a Midwestern garage, safe from the elements of nature.

After suffering from a broken valve spring at Daytona in 1963, 0144 was quietly tucked away in the corner of then owner Jim Watson's garage and put to rest for another day of racing. Jim 'Watson' had just become a partner in a Porsche dealership, and that meant his racing would take a back seat to the endeavors of running the service department of his dealership. After a few years, Watson sold his interest in the dealership and started his own repair service - he got even busier, and 0144 sat quietly - waiting for another day of racing.

In 1988 Watson sold one-half of his interest in 0144 to his friend Tommy Trabue. Friends for over 4 decades, Trabue, a passionate vintage Porsche collector and racer, had a major corporation to run while overseeing the restoration of other vintage Porsche race and road cars. Both Watson and Trabue were busy. 0144 was still waiting.

Fast forward to 2011, with some prodding from friends, Watson's and Trabue's 0144, still unrestored, had a mechanical 'freshening' and made its way to the 2012 Monterey Motorsports Reunion. By August of 2014, 0144's engine has had a complete rebuild & restoration by Adrian Gang. The capable hands of Urs Gretener and his team have readied 0144 for the track, complete with the battle scars of a history of racing.