1955 Porsche 550 RS Spyder Spyder

This Porsche 550 RS Spyder was completed at the Porsche Works during the close of April 1955 and was finished in white with blue accents treated to the top of the fenders. It was powered by the Type 547 four-cam engine number 90-035 and had transaxle number 10027. It was test-driven at the factory test track on May 4th, 1955, by a test driver by the name of Hild. The first owner was Mr. Theo Helfrich of Frankfurt, Germany who, along with teammate Mr. Peter Nocker would campaign 550-0036 during the 1955 season, at events that included the AVUS GP, Eife ADACI, Halle-Saale Loop, Hockenheim-Rhein Cup, Leipzig DDR Sportscar Championship, Nürburgring GP and Sachsenring GP.

During the 1956 season, Helfrich/Nocker raced 550-036 at the 1000KM of Nürburgring, AVUS GP, Dessau Autobahn Race, Kristianstad GP of Sweden, Leipzig DDR Sportscar Championship, Montlhery GP de Paris, Monza GP, another outing at Nürburgring, Rouen-Les Essarts GP and Solitude Rally.

In 1957, 550-0036 was acquired by Ludwig Fisher who continued to add the vehicle's racing resume, competing at various races throughout Europe, including the 1958 Nürburgring GP in Germany where he finished 11th.

An American military man stationed in Germany acquired the Porsche in 1958 and brought it back to the United States with him in 1960. It was sold to a North Carolina resident in 1964 and would pass through two owners in Florida, before being acquired by the current caretaker in 1972. The car would remain with this individual for five decades.

At the time of purchase, the car was largely complete, with its original bodywork, transaxle, and suspension, but devoid of an engine. A correct Type 547 four-cam engine was sourced and has been with the car for the past four decades. This engine no. 90-034 is just one single digit off the original engine for the car (no. 90-035) and has been rebuilt by Billy Doyle.

During the 1980s, a restoration began, slowly at first but by 1998, more comprehensive work was performed and finished in 2003. The bodywork was performed by Northeast Body & Paint Shoppe Inc. of Lincoln, Nebraska, with the other repairs done by Willison Werkstatt of Lake Park, Florida.

Upon completion of the restoration, the Porsche 550 RS Spyder was shown at the 2003 Rennsport Reunion, its only public viewing. The rest of the time has been spent resting comfortably in a climate-controlled facility.

In 2022, it was brought to Bonham's auction in Amelia Island, Florida where it was estimated to sell for $4.5 to $5.5 million. Those estimates were nearly achieved, selling into new ownership for the sum of $4.185 million.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2022