Vehicle Details
- Year: 1955
- Make: Porsche
- Model: 550 Spyder Replica
- VIN: AZ393168
- Mileage Shown: 36mi (TMU)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Silver
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
- Lot #: V-0033735-DT
Created as an homage to one of Porsche’s most legendary historic race cars, this 550 Spyder Replica is reported to have been built approximately three years ago. It is based on a custom tubular chassis and is finished in silver over a red vinyl interior. Power comes from a carburated air-cooled 1,835cc flat-four engine that is paired with an upgraded 4-speed manual transmission. Acquired from a retired race car driver in 2022, this 550 Spyder Replica is now being offered for auction by its seller out of California.
This replica is finished in silver and features an iconic 550 Spyder silhouette with a driver’s side helmet fairing. Exterior details include a driver’s side bullet-style side-view mirror, “Porsche” badging on the front and rear bonnets, “Spyder” badging on the front fenders, a dual-grille engine cover, and two individual exhaust outlets. It rides on polished and slotted 15” wheels with colored Porsche center crests and BFGoodrich tires from 2021. The seller notes a minor blemish on the rear bumper. Detailed images are provided in the gallery.
The bucket seats and driver's headrest are upholstered in red vinyl while the rest of the interior is covered with black carpeting. Details include a body-colored dashboard, a Nardi-style 3-spoke wooden steering wheel, a 3-gauge instrument cluster, wire door pulls, and lap belts. All gauges, electronics, and accessories are reported to be working properly.
This 550 Spyder replica is based on a custom tubular chassis/frame and is equipped with a single carburated air-cooled 1,835cc flat-four engine. Power is sent to the rear wheels through an upgraded 4-speed manual transmission with custom ratios. It also features drum brakes and rear gas-filled shocks. The seller notes that the last service was in March 2023 at VW Paradise in San Marcos, CA, which included an oil change and inspection.
This sale will include a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: “This is a very special car with a great story and history tied to it! This 550 Spyder has been a joy to own and drive! I wish all the best to the bidders, This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as builders such as Vintage Motorcars, Beck, and other quality manufacturers are building more 356 Speedsters and fewer 550 Spyders due to how custom, unique, and time-consuming the process is to build.”
Auction Results
- Sold for: $30,000
- Auction End: Sep 11, 2023 10:51:02PM UTC
- Number of Offers: 1
Comments (66)
Sold for $30,000
Offer in the amount of $30,000
@Mentoring1 sorry you feel that way. I would rather not just come up with random builders/answers and state the facts. I feel I had an open door for potential buyers to send someone over for a pre purchase inspection and honestly I feel I WAS responsive to your questions. I never left you hanging however we can agree to disagree.
Thanks for your interest.
Just not enough information of the car's history and the seller was not as responsive for me to bid... Too bad, it looked worthy of a bid. Maybe Deal Tank can look through our questions and answer them accordingly. Just my 2 cents
Bid in the amount of $23,706
Bid in the amount of $23,456
Bid in the amount of $23,000
Bid in the amount of $22,250
Bid in the amount of $22,000
Bid in the amount of $21,250
Bid in the amount of $21,000
Bid in the amount of $20,250
Bid in the amount of $20,000
Bid in the amount of $18,550
Bid in the amount of $18,300
Bid in the amount of $18,000
Bid in the amount of $17,250
Bid in the amount of $17,000
Bid in the amount of $16,000
Bid in the amount of $15,250
@davethewave911 Thanks Dave
My guess is that this was a Thunder Ranch Build......for a couple reasons, but mostly because they were located right there in your neck of the woods.....just a guess. Carey at Beck will know exactly what this is.....and yes, it is VERY important to know who the builder was.....GLWTA. Dave
Lastly - I didn’t see it in the description but the vehicle comes with an Arizona Title listing the vehicle as a “1955 Porsche SPCON” .
SPCON=Special Construction
@Bertman Good Morning, I am 5’10 185lbs and surprisingly I fit very well. However there is always a challenge to get in and out of it. It’s just because you sit down 4”-6” from the door entry/exit. I had a BMW i8 that was very similar because you sit down in the cockpit. Hope this info helps.
@bamaboy473 good morning- unfortunately there is no hard or soft top. Here in sunny San Diego it was never needed however I believe there are kits out there you can buy that I have seen online.
Can I ask approx how tall you are ? I'm 6ft and 200 lbs , not sure if I can fit in it ( somewhat comfortably )
Apologies if the information is already in the ad, but is there a hardtop or other device to use if it starts to rain?
@Desmo Good Morning, unfortunately there is no parking brake however I did get a quote to install one for $600 here locally. Just never got around to doing as I drive more the 356's I have.
Good Luck :)
@needanothercar Good Morning and sorry for the delay, the vehicle is Titled as a 1955 Porsche SPCON (Special Construction). It also has 4 Wheel Drum Brakes that can be easily upgraded to disc if you desire.
In regards to the switched from Left to Right are as follows. Turn Signals, Horn, Lights, High Beams, and Windshield Wipers. All Function 100%.
Bid in the amount of $15,000
Bid in the amount of $13,350
Bid in the amount of $13,100
Bid in the amount of $12,100
Is there no parking brake or am I missing it in the pics?
Bid in the amount of $11,000
You said, "So I am not able to ask the "retired race car driver" and "avid collector". Who was this retired race car driver? With that information, it will be easy to find out who, when and where this car began life.
On the dash, you have three pull switches and two toggle switches plus the ignition key. Can you explain the function of these switches? I assume the switch on left of steering wheel is for the lights. Look forward to your reply.
Beautiful car. I am in the market for 550 replica and comparing your car versus another. So two questions. Drums at all four corners, any idea as to manufacturer? How is the car titled? As a 1955 Porsche, VW or some other alternative?
@CarCollector48 GRF Replicas out of Caieiras, Brazil
@rwmoses Thanks! Is there any way to determine if it is Brazilian that you know of?
@JpNugentSr Sorry if I offended anyone. I am trying to be honest and transparent about the vehicle but don't have to much information unfortunately. I understand there are different car enthusiast that follow certain makes and models. I buy/collect certain cars that have a meaning to me or my past or are just plain COOL!
When I bought my 1989 Porsche Speedster, I wanted to see service records and a clean carfax so I understand "history". When I purchased this 550 it was because my son and I liked it and considered it as a weekend toy to go to events not as a collector car because it was a Replica. That being said I would much rather be driving around this compared to the risk and liability of driving a real one.
@CarCollector48 I believe this one might be one of the Brazilian made ones from way back?
Other folks on this forum would that manufacturing period
@Mentoring1 I just called over to Vintage Motor Cars of California Inc, unfortunately they stated they are not building anymore Porsche 550's at this time and to check back in a year. I am waiting a call back from Kerry at Beck to check his registry, but with all transparency I don't think this is a Beck. I am stumped as all of us are but will try again to see if I can locate the builder. I tried a year or so ago and it became very difficult.
@rwmoses - I totally agree with you about asking for detailed information and history of most cars, however due to the circumstances on how I acquired the vehicle I was not able to have a that conversation with him. I was offered the vehicle from his daughter who knew nothing about vehicles and didn't want anything to do with it along with a Super Wide Body 356 yellow with luggage and ski's.
- I just called over to Vintage Motor Cars of California Inc, unfortunately they stated they are not building anymore Porsche 550's at this time and to check back in a year. I am waiting a call back from Kerry at Beck to check his registry, but with all transparency I don't think this is a Beck. I am stumped as all of us are but will try again to see if I can locate the builder. I tried a year or so ago and it became very difficult.
Bid in the amount of $10,550
Bid in the amount of $5,900
Bid in the amount of $5,550
Bid in the amount of $2,750
Bid in the amount of $2,500
Sounds like you might be looking for the Bentley the queen sat her tush instead of understanding the position I am in?
Please clarify
@CarCollector48 @CarCollector48, Kinda not understanding your sarcasm towards possible bidders inquiring about the history of the car... Are you upset because we are asking detailed questions?
@CarCollector48 @CarCollector48, Beck Speedster, JPS Speedster and Vintage Motorcars are currently taking orders and building them... Since you are the legal owner of the car, you could legally call the 3 above makers and ask them if any of them built the car. The builder will not release the information to us, but they will to you since you have the bill of sales.
@Chupee Sorry Chupee for the disappointment! Unfortunately the gentleman and previous neighbor of mine I purchased it from is no longer around and his daughter doesn't know much about cars. So I am not able to ask the "retired race car driver" and "avid collector". That just leaves myself and I am probably a lot younger than you are and I have different enthusiast and different reasons why I buy cars. Sounds like you might be looking for the Bentley the queen sat her tush instead of understanding the position I am in?
If you are serious and interested I would pay a one-way airfare for you to come see it in person. I am definitely open to hear your opinions and expertise.
Quite humorous to see 2 "avid collectors " and 1 "retired race car driver" on the same auction with ZERO actual facts! Not inspiring in the least!
Bid in the amount of $250
@Mentoring1 Honestly I don't many builders if any who are making the 550's anymore?? I was told they are very custom and time consuming compared to the Porsche 356's. Even Vintage MotorCars of California (Hawaiian Gardens) are not taking any more orders for building 550's.
I don't want to give opinions, would rather give facts and unfortunately at this moment I don't know who the builder is.. It's sad these builders didn't put stamps or tags on the cars so as the ownership changes everyone still knows who built it.
@CarCollector48 Almost everyone interested in this car already knows the 550 model history!
I asking about (this) car’s history, any avid car collector such as yourself would ask and obtain this information and in return provide as a seller.
@CarCollector48 - You said, "I purchased the vehicle roughly two years ago from an avid collector." Is the other avid collector still around? I understand why @rwmoses is asking the builder because there were so many builders that are now gone... The best are still out there building these cars and other Porsches. The more information you provide will help perspective bidders to feel confident.
@rwmoses Very Interesting Read... I imagine you have already heard most of it! But the suspense of where the car is today still remains a mystery. Enjoy!
https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/christophorus/porsche-james-dean-550-spyder-rebel-11189.html
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/motor/who-owns-the-lost-james-dean-porsche
@CarCollector48 I would like to hear something about the great story you mentioned that made you buy the car?
@CarCollector48 You being an avid collector and all I’m sure you will quickly be able to share with us the kit maker and year into
Here is 11 minute driving video. The Go-Pro malfunctioned so I will also upload the Part #2. The first two mins of this video and the last two mins are the vehicle shifting through gears. Sorry for the wind noise but wanted to keep the video raw and not add background music (I have seen people complain about that before). ;)
https://youtu.be/ivigUIjzGHk?si=kHNa4k9dZexcVPSJ
Hi Everyone,
Here is a link to a short 3 min walk-around video..
https://youtu.be/M7y6DbqlLvE?si=eVF3W1V4P30by9oj
@rwmoses Good Afternoon- I purchased the vehicle roughly two years ago from avid collector like myself locally. Unfortunately I fell in love with the car (and the story) that I was not educated at the time about builders such as Beck or Vintage. I tried to look for tags or marking on the car but couldn't find anything. I also didn't have any luck with the registry however I am still investigating. I can tell you the quality is superior and the vehicle runs amazing. I will be uploading some videos soon. Thank you
Hello Everyone who has stopped by and clicked to view my 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder I have for sale. Feel free to message me directly for a pre-purchase inspection or if you're in the area of San Diego to come by and look at the car. Bid with confidence this is an exceptional build of a 550 Spyder Tribute and runs and drives amazing. I will be uploading some walk around videos along with a few driving videos shortly. Feel free to reach out with any questions. Thanks
Is this a Vintage Motorcars or Beck?
and what year build?