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101 Cars: 1954 Porsche 550 Spyder
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SPEED Staff  |  Posted August 11, 2008   Charlotte, NC
101 Cars you must drive premiers Monday June 23rd at 9pm only on SPEED. (Photo: Barrett-Jackson)

When it became painfully obvious that one-off specials would always have an edge on the Porsche 356, Porsche built the 550 Spyder. It was plainly a race car, yet street drivable if one kept the revs up to protect the roller connecting rod and crankshaft bearings. Porsche took the then-novel approach of swapping ’round the Volkswagen transmission for a midengine configuration, then bolting up a seriously radical hemi-head DOHC boxer four, with twin two-barrel Solex carbs and a dry sump. Standard Porsche (nee VW) suspension bolted to a steel ladder frame covered by an aerodynamically voluptuous aluminum body. Despite the peaky race-tuned engine, drivers found it easy to drive in competition and surprisingly well balanced—especially for a Porsche. All the power could be used, and used well. Hans Herrmann won class and sixth overall in the 550’s first race, the 1954 Mille Miglia. Later that year, Herrmann placed third at the Carrera Panamericana, ahead of 73 cars all with larger engines (and that’s why Porsche uses “Carrera” to this day). It didn’t necessarily end the day of specials, but Ken Miles gave up his famous MG-based Shingle to drive a 550. After all, it was the 550 Spyder that was special.

Specifications
Engine: 1.5-liter DOHC horizontally opposed four
Horsepower: 137
0–60 mph: 8.2 seconds
Top Speed: 122 miles per hour with acceleration gearing; up to 147 miles per hour with endurance-race gear ratios
Price New: $6,800
Value Now: $800,000 to $1,200,000
Porsche Spyder Photos



Claim to Fame

The car that made Porsche’s name in big-time racing.


Soundtrack

“Am I a Toy or a Treasure?” by Kay Starr


Perfect Passenger

Then Porsche Racing Manager Huschke von Hanstein!


Behind the Wheel
The Edsel Owners Club offers a national organization with local chapters for support and, no doubt, commiseration.


Did You Know?
The 550 Spyder, as a “sports car,” had to have a top, and though the 550’s top looks as fragile as Kleenex, it stays in place at least to 75 miles per hour...


The Perfect Drive
There were only 8 prototype, 12-plus factory race, and 78 series production made. They’re expensive and rarely on the market...



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