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1955–1956 Porsche 550 Spyder: Racing History and Specs

Built as a competition car, the Porsche 550 Spyder had become a Le Mans class winner by 1955. In 1956, an updated space-frame version won the Targa Florio overall.
Entry803 Date Time2 min MechanicCarCody Team
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The Porsche 550 Spyder was built for competition, not adapted from a road car. In 1955–1956, it was already a proven class winner at Le Mans, and an updated space-frame version scored an overall victory at the Targa Florio in 1956. Porsche’s published reference specifications are for the 1954 model, so they should not be treated as a complete specification for every car from these two later years.

What made the Porsche 550 Spyder special?

Porsche describes the 550 as its first car developed especially for racing. Its mid-engine layout and aluminum body were part of a purpose-built competition design, rather than features added to a road car after the fact. Porsche’s heritage account places the 550 among the cars that established the marque’s early competition reputation.

Porsche reports that 90 550 Spyder race cars were built between 1953 and 1956. That is a total for the production span, not a year-by-year count; the available figures do not establish how many were built in either 1955 or 1956.

What are the Porsche 550 Spyder’s specifications?

Porsche Museum’s reference page lists the 1954 model with a 1,498 cc four-cylinder boxer engine producing 81 kW (110 HP) and a top speed of 220 km/h. These are specifically the museum’s 1954 reference figures, not a verified full specification for all 1955 and 1956 cars. The available sources do not provide a complete year-by-year specification comparison for those later cars.

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#1 Best Overall
Maisto 1:18 Scale Porsche 550A Spyder Diecast Vehicle
  • Large approximately 9-1/2" replicas, die-cast metal body with plastic parts
  • Opening doors and hood, full-function steering
  • Four wheel suspension, adjustable seat back on most models
  • Detailed chassis with separate exhaust system
  • Mounted on a plastic stand

What happened in racing in 1955 and 1956?

1955: Le Mans class-winning reputation

By 1955, the 550 had become a class winner at Le Mans. Porsche’s retrospective confirms the class victories but does not provide a race-by-race record here, so a more detailed account of individual entries or results cannot be established from these sources.

1956: Targa Florio overall victory

The 550’s most important win came in 1956, when an updated space-frame version won the Targa Florio overall. This milestone applies to that updated version; it does not mean every 1956 550 had a space-frame configuration.

Rank #2
Revell of Germany Porsche 918 Spyder Model Kit
  • Don't miss your chance to add one of the fastest production cars to you model collection with this 129-pc model kit
  • Model Scale 1:24
  • Recommended for ages 12 and up
  • Paint and glue sold separately
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How should a 1955 or 1956 example be identified?

A model-year label alone does not establish a car’s exact configuration or history. The available historical accounts do not supply chassis-by-chassis records, annual production totals, or a complete set of year-specific mechanical and body specifications. Identifying an individual car therefore requires evidence tied to that particular chassis, including its provenance and documented configuration; broad model-year claims cannot substitute for it.

For historical context, see Porsche Museum’s 550 Spyder reference, Porsche’s account of the Spyder’s origins, and Amalgam Collection’s 550 RS Spyder page.

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Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Maisto 1:18 Scale Porsche 550A Spyder Diecast Vehicle
Maisto 1:18 Scale Porsche 550A Spyder Diecast Vehicle
Large approximately 9-1/2" replicas, die-cast metal body with plastic parts; Opening doors and hood, full-function steering
Bestseller No. 2
Revell of Germany Porsche 918 Spyder Model Kit
Revell of Germany Porsche 918 Spyder Model Kit
Model Scale 1:24; Recommended for ages 12 and up; Paint and glue sold separately
$47.99
Bestseller No. 4
Porsche KK Scale Models 1/12 550A Spyder - 1956
Porsche KK Scale Models 1/12 550A Spyder - 1956
Scale: 1/12; Model: Porsc. 550A Spyder Blue & White 1956 With Opening Doors; Material: metal
$124.95
Bestseller No. 5
Kk Scale Models - POR 550A Spyder - 1956-1/12
Kk Scale Models - POR 550A Spyder - 1956-1/12
Collectible Model Car
$124.95
Rank #4
Porsche KK Scale Models 1/12 550A Spyder - 1956
  • Scale: 1/12
  • Model: Porsc. 550A Spyder Blue & White 1956 With Opening Doors
  • Material: metal
  • Highly detailed collection template
  • Manufacturer: KK Scale

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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