A completely original, unrestored Porsche 550 could bring more than $8 million when it crosses the block at the Bonhams Goodwood revival Sale next month.
Offered publically for the first time in its history, and rarely seen by the public in its 60-year history, the 1956 Porsche 550RS Spyder is regarded as one of the world’s most collectible vintage sports cars, and is expected to sell for £4.7 – £6.2 million ($6.21 – $8.19 million).
Launched at the 1953 Paris Auto Show, the Porsche 550RS Spyder was the German company’s first true competition car.
Built with a super lightweight aluminium body, the car could reach speeds of up to 137 mph and accelerate from 0-62 mph in less than 10 seconds – qualities which helped it dominate motorsport throughout the 1950s.
Just 90 examples were ever produced, a number so small that, according to the Sports Car Club of America, it didn’t qualify as a production sports car. However, in later years, the SCCA admitted that it had banned the Porsche 550 from its events to simply give other cars a sporting chance!
Described as "the world’s best-preserved, never restored example of this seminal Porsche model surviving today", chassis 550 0090 is a rare example that never graced the racetrack, and remains in remarkably preserved condition.
"The 1956 Porsche 550RS Spyder offered is so original, that you could travel back in time 60 years and find it in much the same condition," said Mark Osborne, Bonhams Vice President, Motor Cars, USA.
"Chassis number 550 0090 hasn’t been thrashed around, it’s been well looked after, and even won the FIVA award for originality at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2010 – the perfect Porsche.
"It’s exactly how a 550 would have looked, smelt and felt like when James Dean famously purchased his example back in 1955. A real time warp, and likely the last one left in such excellent, original condition."
The Bonhams Goodwood Revival sale takes place in Chichester, West Sussex, England, on September 10.
