This Porsche 550 RS Spyder is one of only 90 ever produced and one of just 10 to have competed at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. With a rich, in-period racing history and a meticulous restoration by Porsche Zentrum Würzburg, it stands as a remarkable testament to Porsche’s early dominance in motorsport.

The 550 Spyder first made its mark in the 1950s, with a lightweight design and an innovative mid-engine layout that set it apart from its competitors. Powered by Ernst Führmann’s quad-cam, 1.5-litre engine producing around 110bhp, the Spyder was capable of reaching 138mph and could accelerate from 0-60mph in just 10 seconds, exceptional performance for its time. It quickly became a consistent winner in international sports car racing’s small-capacity classes, with impressive performances in events such as the Carrera Panamericana, Mille Miglia, and the Targa Florio.

The example featured here was completed in March 1956 and delivered to Belgium’s national racing team, Équipe Nationale Belge. It was finished in their distinctive yellow livery and driven by a number of notable Belgian drivers, including Claude Dubois, Christian Goethals and the celebrated female racer, Gilberte Thirion. During the 1956 and 1957 seasons, it competed in several prestigious events, including the 12 Hours of Reims, the 1,000 km of Paris and, most notably, the 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans. Although the car was disqualified from Le Mans due to a breach of the rules, it still holds the distinction of being one of only 10 550 Spyders to have ever raced in the famous event.

After its career with Équipe Nationale Belge, the car went through a series of transformations, including being re-bodied as a coupé and fitted with a 2.0-litre Porsche Carrera engine in the 1960s. It was later restored to its original specification in 2000. The restoration, which cost €100,000, brought the car back to its former glory, complete with original aluminium/steel wheels designed for Le Mans. Following the rebuild, the car participated in prestigious events like the Mille Miglia Storica.

The Little Yellow Spyder