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Inspired by the Porsche 356 created by Dr. Ferry Porsche, Porsche decided to build a car designed specifically for racing. The Porsche 550 Spyder was introduced at the 1953 Paris Auto Show and 78 cars were produced in open and closed configurations. The first three prototypes were coupes with a removable hardtop. The first Porsche 550 Spyder appeared at the Nurburgring in May 1953 winning its first race. Porsche 550 Spyders started in over 370 races around the European and US circuits between 1953 and as late as 1965 winning 95 races outright as well as 75 class wins.
This car was originally delivered to Swiss racer Walter Riggenberg (a Swiss hotelier and friend of Ferry Porsche's) in March of 1955 and with co-driver Richard von Frankenberg they set several new international records at Montlhery in France. The two drivers set no fewer than six world records in the brand-new 550 RS Spyder. They broke the 1500-cc category, 200-mile, three-hour, 500-mile, and six-hour records. The fastest of these records was set with a mesmerizing average speed of 131 mph.
Ringgenberg sold the 550 to Michael and Pierre May. Michael May was an engineering student with a particular interest in motor racing.
May realized that if he used a device that had the profile of an upside-down aeroplane wing, he could generate downforce pushing the car more firmly onto the track. At the 1956 Nurburgring 1000km, he proved to be four seconds faster than the new 550A Spyder models with his pioneering invention. It was nicknamed 'the first winged Porsche.'
This car was originally delivered to Swiss racer Walter Riggenberg (a Swiss hotelier and friend of Ferry Porsche's) in March of 1955 and with co-driver Richard von Frankenberg they set several new international records at Montlhery in France. The two drivers set no fewer than six world records in the brand-new 550 RS Spyder. They broke the 1500-cc category, 200-mile, three-hour, 500-mile, and six-hour records. The fastest of these records was set with a mesmerizing average speed of 131 mph.
Ringgenberg sold the 550 to Michael and Pierre May. Michael May was an engineering student with a particular interest in motor racing.
May realized that if he used a device that had the profile of an upside-down aeroplane wing, he could generate downforce pushing the car more firmly onto the track. At the 1956 Nurburgring 1000km, he proved to be four seconds faster than the new 550A Spyder models with his pioneering invention. It was nicknamed 'the first winged Porsche.'
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1955 Porsche 550 RS Spyder Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Porsche 550 RS Spyder
(Data based on Model Year 1955 sales)
1955 Porsche 550 Spyder Chassis#: 550-0036 Sold for USD$4,185,000 2022 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours | |
1955 PORSCHE 550 SPIDER EVOCATION Sold for USD$58,020 2019 Coy's - London Classic | |
1955 Porsche 550 Spyder Chassis#: 550-0053 Sold for USD$4,455,000 2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1955 Porsche 550 Spyder Chassis#: 550-0060 Sold for USD$5,335,000 2016 Gooding & Company : The Amelia Island Auction | |
1955 Porsche 550 Spyder by Wendler Chassis#: 550-0068 Sold for USD$3,004,653 2016 RM Sotheby's : Paris | |
1955 Porsche 550/1500 RS Spyder Chassis#: 550-0077 Sold for USD$3,750,000 2013 Mecum Auctions - Monterey | |
1955 Porsche 550/1500 RS Spyder Chassis#: 550-0062 Sold for USD$3,685,000 2012 Gooding & Company, Amelia Island, Fl | |
1955 Porsche 550 Spyder Replica Sold for USD$21,600 2007 The Florida Collector Car Auction | |
1955 PORSCHE BECK 550 SPYDER Chassis#: 121 Sold for USD$26,950 2004 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale 2004 | |
1955 PORSCHE 550 SPYDER RE-CREATION Sold for USD$31,350 2004 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale 2004 | |
1955 Porsche 550 Spyder Replica Chassis#: 550 Sold for USD$33,750 2003 Russo and Steele - Scottsdale 2003 |
Porsche 550 RS Spyders That Failed To Sell At Auction
1955 Porsche 550 RS Spyder's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1955 Porsche 550 Spyder | 550-0054 | 2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $3,800,000 | $4,200,000 | |
1955 Porsche 550 Spyder Replica | 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee | $230,000 | $350,000 | $400,000 | |
1955 Porsche Spyder | 2016 Russo & Steele : Arizona | ||||
1955 Porsche 550 Spyder | 2008 Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic Auction | $18,250 |
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1955 Porsche 550 RS Spyder
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