The original 'Giant Killer'

The 550 Spyder was introduced to the world at the Paris Motor Show in 1953 and marked history as being Porsche’s first proper race car which would later put the brand on the map. Born a racer, it had all the ingredients to make it a formidable adversary on track, so much so that it was nicknamed the ‘Giant Killer’, in reference to its ability to defeat much more powerful rivals. The 550 sported an all aluminium 1,498 cc naturally aspirated air-cooled 4 cylinder boxer engine known as the ‘Fuhrmann Engine’, that developed 110hp, and was so low to the ground that former German Formula One racer Hans Hermann drove it under closed railroad crossing gates during the 1954 Mille Miglia.

The Porsche 550 Spyder featured here 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 arches to help cool the engine.

Von Neumann, who had a significant role in introducing Porsche in California and building up the brand’s reputation in the US, believed in the motto ‘Race on Sunday, sell on Monday’. Legendary racing drivers, such as Ken Miles, Phil Hill, Jack McAfee and Richie Ginther all successfully raced Von Neumann’s different cars.

This beautiful 1956 Porsche 550 Spyder is currently available from Schaltkulisse in Munich, Germany. Photos © Schaltkulisse GmbH