Description
This is lot number 157 in the Bonhams Zoute sale on October 6th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
One of only 90 examples built
One of only 10 to have raced at Le Mans
Extensive in-period competition history
Rebuilt by Porsche Zentrum Würzburg in 2000 (invoice and photographs on file)
Exceptionally well documented
Eligible for Le Mans Classic, Mille Miglia Storica, and numerous other high-profile events
German registration document
Porsche has a rich and legendary history in motorsport, marked by victories in the world's most prestigious races. Since its inception in the 1950s, the German marque has become synonymous with performance, technical innovation, and reliability, quickly earning a reputation as a manufacturer capable of competing with the very best.
Porsche's first successful competition cars were lightweight developments of its first road car, the 356, one of which took class honours at Le Mans in 1951. The firm's first purpose-built sports-racer arrived two years later in the form of the 500 Spyder, a mid-engined prototype built and campaigned successfully by Porsche's Frankfurt distributor, Walter Glöckler. In 1954 the 550 Spyder was upgraded with the Ernst Führmann-designed Type 547 quad-cam engine, which was carried over to the successor Type 550A (spaceframe) model and then the replacement 718 RSK Spyder. Intended primarily for racing, Führmann's new engine featured a roller-bearing crankshaft; dry-sump lubrication; twin-plug ignition; and twin downdraught carburettors and produced around 110bhp, which was some going for 1½-litre in the early 1950s.
The 550 Spyder's external skin was formed in one-piece welded aluminium sheet which, being fitted rigidly to the ladder frame chassis, contributed to the car's structural rigidity. The dash panel provided a further structural element in being welded rigidly to the bodyshell. Front suspension was independent by twin trailing arms and lateral torsion bars. An anti-roll bar was incorporated. At the rear a swing-axle system was used, controlled by trailing arms operating lateral tubular torsion bars. Drum brakes were fitted front and rear and early 550 Spyders weigh some 550kg (1, 212lb) which figure was later increased to around 590kg (1, 300lb). The 550 Spyder was claimed to be capable of 200km/ h (138mph) with 0-60mph occupying only 10 seconds. With this outstanding pedigree, the Porsche 550 Spyder RS (Rennsport) racing version soon established itself as a consistent winner in international sports car racing's small-capacity classes. This remarkable 550 quickly established its dominance with impressive performances at prestigious events such as the Carrera Panamericana, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Mille Miglia, and the Targa Florio. Today the Porsche 550 RS Spyder is one of the most coveted sports-racers of its era.
Chassis number '0082' is among the final examples of the 90 Porsche 550 RS Spyders produced. This car was ordered by Porsche's Belgian Distributor D'Ieteren Frères in Brussels. Completed in March 1956, the Spyder was delivered new to the Équipe Nationale Belge (Belgium's national racing team) finished in their distinctive yellow livery with a black interior. While there, '0082' was raced by many noted Belgian 'gentleman drivers': Claude Dubois, Christian Goethalsm Georges Harris, Freddy Rousselle, Georges Hacquin, Alain Dechangy, Yves Tassin, as well as the celebrated lady competitor, Gilberte Thirion.
The car's competition history is exceptionally well documented for the 1956 and 1957 seasons when it competed for Équipe Nationale Belge. '0082' competed in no fewer than six races in 1956, achieving multiple podium finishes including 3rd place in its class at the 12 Hours of Reims. The Spyder's best result of the season was a class win at the 1, 000 km of Paris at Montlhéry where it finished 20 seconds behind Phil Hill and Alfonso de Portago in a Ferrari 857 S. The races it participated in during 1956 with its competitor number are as follows:
La Roche Hill climb 25th March
Spa-Francorchamps GP 13th May Start no. 1
Montlhery 1000 km de Paris 10th June Start no. 42
12 Heures de Reims 29th June Start no. 33
Rouen-Les Essarts GP 8th July Start no. 12
GP Sweden Kristianstad 12th August Start no. 41
The car's most significant event was the aforementioned 1957, 24 Hours of Le Mans, making it one of only ten 550 Spyders to ever contest the celebrated race. Sadly, its race ended in disqualification following a breach of the rules. In 1957, the Spyder is known to have participated in at least the following races:
La Roche Hill climb 31st March
Grand Prix de Spa 12th May Start no. 1
1000km Nurburgring 26th May Start no. 31
Grand Prix des Frontières, Chimay 9th June Start no. 4
24 Heures du Mans 26th June Start no. 60
Rouen-Les Essarts GP 7th July
GP Sweden Rabelof 11th August Start no. 22
Spa-Francorchamps GP 25th August Start no. 32
Silverstone GP 14th September Start no. 34
Best result of the season was 2nd place at the Grand Prix de Frontières, Chimay, and '0082' also finished 3rd at both the Grand Prix de Spa and the Nürburgring 1, 000 km.
Following the end of its career with Équipe Nationale Belge, '0082' was raced in hill climbs, minor races and rallies by Jacques Thenaers. Correspondence on file suggests that the Spyder was re-bodied by Apal as a coupé in the 1960s and fitted with a 2. 0-litre Porsche Carrera engine at around the same time. The Porsche had been purchased from Écurie Francorchamps by Edmond Pery around 1965 and was next owned by Belgian racing driver Pierre Bonvoisin. It was raced in coupé configuration for the next few years before passing to a Mr Michaelis of Embourg, Belgium in 1970. By this time the Carrera engine had been replaced with a Super 90 unit. Off the road in storage for the next 20-or-so years, the car was acquired in March 1989 by Corrado Cupellini from Bergamo, Italy. At this time, both the non-original Super 90 engine and Apal bodywork were removed to restore the car as closely as possible to its original configuration and a new aluminium body fabricated. The car was later sold to Philippe Jegher, who entrusted Porsche in Germany with the final refinements of the restoration.
The Spyder's next known owner was Bruno Ferracin (from May 1995) who was followed by Peter Ludwig in January 2000. A comprehensive restoration was then embarked upon, which included rectifying the new bodywork so as to be exactly like the original body on 082, sourcing a correct Führmann-type engine and transmission. Particularly worthy of note are the rare aluminium/ steel wheels designed specifically for use at Le Mans. The rebuild was carried out by Porsche Zentrum Würzburg at a cost of 100, 000 (invoices and photographs on file). Following the rebuild's completion, '0082' participated in the Mille Miglia Storica in 2001, Two years later the engine was rebuilt again.
For a close on 70 year old competition car '0082' is exceptionally well documented. Its accompanying history occupies five folders containing photographs, mostly of its participation in the Mille Miglia; two folders detailing its competition record for the 1956 and 1957 seasons; photocopies of service invoices from 1957 onwards; ownership history from 1956 onwards; several folders containing correspondence between previous owners; maintenance invoices for the year 2000; a German title; and its original key.
Boasting a most impressive and well documented in-period competition history, including Le Mans participation in 1957 and being one of a mere ten examples of the 550 model to do so, this Porsche 550 RS Spyder, now presented in a yellow wrap livery, used by the Belgian National racing team during the 1956 and 1957 seasons, is eligible for the most prestigious international events including the Le Mans Classic and Mille Miglia Storica. An exciting prospect for the fortunate next owner.
Please note that if this vehicle remains within Belgium the reduced rate of Import VAT at 6% will be charged on the hammer price. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, the VAT amount will be calculated based on your registered countries rate. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearances with the Bonhams Customs Agents. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.
