Porsche's history in motorsport is famous, with victories in some of the world's most important races. Since its inception in the 1950s, the German firm has quickly established a reputation for excellence, technical innovation, and dependability, successfully competing with the best of the best.Porsche's first successful racing cars were derived on the 356 road car, which won class honors at Le Mans in 1951. In 1953, Porsche introduced its first purpose-built sports racer, the 500 Spyder, a mid-engined prototype that was successfully campaigned by Walter Glöckler, Porsche's Frankfurt distributor. The model was modified in 1954 to the 550 Spyder, which had the Ernst Führmann-designed Type 547 quad-cam engine that produced 110bhp from a 1.5-liter engine, which was impressive for the time.
The 550 Spyder's lightweight aluminum body was rigidly attached to the ladder-frame chassis, adding structural robustness. It had a roller-bearing crankshaft, dry-sump lubrication, twin-plug ignition, and twin downdraft carburetors, and could attain 200 km/h (138 mph) while accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 10 seconds. With these qualities, the 550 Spyder RS (Rennsport) quickly established itself as a dominant force in international sports car racing's small-capacity divisions, winning events including as the Carrera Panamericana, Le Mans, Mille Miglia, and Targa Florio. Today, it is one of the most sought-after sports racers of its time.
Chassis 550-0082 is one of the last 90 instances built. It was delivered in March 1956 to Porsche's Belgian dealer D'Ieteren Frères in Brussels and finished in the unique yellow livery of Équipe Nationale Belge, with a black interior. Many well-known Belgian "gentleman drivers," including Claude Dubois, Christian Goethals, Georges Harris, Freddy Rousselle, and prominent female driver Gilberte Thirion, drove the automobile.Its rich racing history includes podium finishes in 1956 and 1957 for Équipe Nationale Belge. In 1956, it contested in six races, finishing third in class in the 12 Hours of Reims and winning the 1,000 km of Paris at Montlhéry. In 1956, the vehicle participated in the following races:
The 1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder featured an advanced and revolutionary engine for its time, contributing significantly to its racing success. The heart of the vehicle was the Type 547 engine, which was a **1.5-liter four-cylinder** engine with a highly complex design.
The Type 547 engine was notable for its use of **dual overhead camshafts** and **four camshafts** in total, a rarity for small-displacement engines during the 1950s. This intricate setup allowed for better airflow and increased engine efficiency, producing a high output despite the small size. The engine featured **Hirth seven-piece crankshafts**, another advanced engineering feature, which made it extremely durable and ideal for high-performance applications in racing environments.
Additionally, the engine employed **dry sump lubrication**, a method designed to prevent oil starvation during high-speed cornering, making it particularly suitable for motorsport. The Type 547 engine produced around **110 horsepower**, which, combined with the lightweight construction of the car, gave the 550 RS exceptional performance. It was capable of achieving high speeds and demonstrated remarkable acceleration, making it a "giant killer" on the track, competing against larger and more powerful cars.
The construction of the 550 RS Spyder was equally groundbreaking. Its **tube frame** chassis provided a lightweight but highly rigid platform, while the **aluminum body** helped keep the car's total weight down to just around 550 kilograms (1212 pounds). This lightweight construction was key to its handling and speed, as it allowed the relatively small engine to propel the car to competitive levels on the racetrack.
This combination of advanced engine technology and innovative lightweight construction contributed to the 550 RS's reputation as one of the most successful race cars of its time.
In 1957, the Spyder competed in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, making it one of only 10 550 Spyders to do so. Despite being penalized for a regulation violation, the car raced in several other notable events that year, including:
In 1957, the Spyder competed in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, making it one of only 10 550 Spyders to do so. Despite being penalized for a regulation violation, the car raced in several other notable events that year, including:
Its best achievement in 1957 was second place at the Grand Prix des Frontières, Chimay, followed by two third-place results at the Grand Prix de Spa and the Nürburgring 1,000 km.
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After leaving Équipe Nationale Belge, Jacques Thenaers raced the car in hill climbs and minor events. In the 1960s, Apal rebodied it as a coupé with a 2.0-liter Porsche Carrera engine. After many owners, it was purchased in 1989 by Corrado Cupellini, who restored it to its original condition, including a new aluminum body. Porsche finished the restoration in Germany, and the car competed in the Mille Miglia Storica in 2001.
Documentation and ProvenanceChassis 550-0082 includes substantial paperwork, including five folders of history, images from the Mille Miglia, competition records from 1956 and 1957, service invoices dating back to 1957, and a full ownership history. The automobile also retains its original key and German title.This Porsche 550 RS Spyder, currently dressed in the yellow of the Belgian National racing team, is an excellent chance for collectors. Its storied competition history, including involvement in Le Mans, qualifies it for top-tier races such as the Le Mans Classic and Mille Miglia Storica. It is a truly fantastic machine, with a bright future ahead.
