Porsche

Porsche 550 Spyder chassis #550-0089 is the second to last 550 production car and one of 32 examples built in 1956. It was specifically built for John von Neumann, who at the time owned Competition Motors, a  Californian Porsche dealership and Racing team. The race car had several unique factory modifications, such as a large oval chrome grill positioned at the rear plus two scoop vents on the top of the engine bay and louvered vents along the rear fenders to help cool the engine.  The spyder had the reinforced ‘high frame’ designed chassis and was completed on the 28th of June 1956 with engine #90094 (type 547-03) and transmission #10091. The body was built by coachbuilder Wendler and painted silver with red darts.

Von Neumann, who had a significant role in introducing Porsche in California and building up the brand’s reputation in the USA, believed in the motto „Race on Sunday, sell on Monday“. Legendary racing drivers, such as Ken Miles, Phil Hill, Jack McAfee and Paul Richard „Richie“ Ginther all successfully raced John’s different cars. The later would pilot #550-0089 with start number 211 at Pomona in October 1956 where he was involved in an accident and did not finish. The small damage was then repaired and the car was back on track two weeks later at Palm Springs where it placed 3rd. „Richie“’s final race with the 550 Spyder was at the Cotati Rose Festival in May of 1957 where he achieved fourth in class.

Our car would later start a new and successful chapter at the hands of racing driver Jack West, where it took part in no less than 20 races in 1957 and 1958. With start number 141, West would score 2nd in class at Hourglass Field in San Diego (BM-EM) in 1957,  1st in class at Tracy Sports Car Races (FM, Unlimited) in 1958, 3rd at Laguna Seca Sports Car Races in 1958 and 1st in class at Minden Gardnerville Airport Race in October of 1958, which would be his last race at the wheel of #550-0089. Katherine „Sunnie“ Baker would then take our very car to victory at the Phoenix SCCA Ladies race in November 1958. An extensive overview of the racing history of this particular Spyder can be found at bottom of the page.

Chassis #550-0089 was supposedly owned by legendary racing driver Ken Miles at one point. It would then change hands a few times and eventually find its way in the well-known Netherlands based Porsche collection of Albert Westerman (State of Art), who used the car at historic events such as the Mille Miglia in 2009. The car would then be owned by a German collector before finding its way to our showroom.

Today, our 550 Spyder still retains its original transmission #10091 and is powered by a 356 Carrera engine with Spyder specification (type 547/1) #90089.  This piece of Porsche history is elligible for vintage tours and rallies, including big names such as the Mille Miglia, Tour Auto, Le Mans Classic and Goodwood Revival. A rare opportunity to own a scarce original example of the 550 Spyder with extensive period racing history.