1956 Porsche 550 RS Coupe

One of four 550A prototypes built, all in 1956, and one of two Coupes built for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This vehicle is probably the first conversion of a Type 669 to 690 transmission for Le Mans. While the engine is basically the same air-cooled gear and shaft DOHC flat-4 with roller bearing crankshaft, twin ignition and dry sump lubrication of the 550, the chassis was completely different. The 550A employed Porsche's first spaceframe which was significantly lighter, more rigid and allowed a lighter body to be used.

Two coupe examples of the Open Spyders were entered by Porsche to run at Le Mans in 1956. This car was first in class and an unprecedented to date fifth overall with Richard Von Frankenberg and Wolfgang Von Trips. Later it was sold to U.S. racer John Pierce Kunstall and co-driven by Ken Miles. It was ninth overall at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1957. The car was raced to four additional class wins in the United States before being retired in 1960. It passed through four different owners prior to undergoing a four-year restoration which was finished in 2013. It is currently in its original coupe form with its original Le Mans engine.

The vehicle has more than 40 entries in various SCCA and Sebring 12 Hours of Sebring races with numerous overall and class victories by Ken Miles, Jean Pierre Kunstle, John Edgar, George Keck, Bill Hohus, AK Smith and Ted Davies from 1957 to 1970.