"1954 Porsche 550 Spyder : The First Porsche Race Cars"

1954 Porsche 550 Spyder Right View

Undoubtedly the most successful Porsche race in the history of all sports car manufacturers. Since the early 60s we have seen many cars from Weissach and dominated the endurance and GT racing. Saw in the race, Le Mans, Nurburgring, Daytona Sebring that was at least half of the field full of Porsche engines, most of which were private,! The participants, the word “Porsche” is a nightmare, while 911, 917, 935, 956 and 962 are … well as counting the number of victories. All this success began with a 550 Spyder, the first Porsche race cars.

1954 Porsche 550 Spyder Interior

Previously, Ferdinand Porsche created some impressive race cars, including Mercedes and Auto Union SSK V16-engined Grand Prix car. However, when Fernando was removed from half of the Second World War, while Ferry Focus on building cars from the production company was first the first race car developed only in the summer of 1952. While Ferry more of a “man of the street car” was a “man of the race,” as opposed to the Ferrari Enzo, who had still the ambition, the world of racing as his dominating father. While he was busy the system to expand and develop its own 356, was assigned the project to Huschke vo Hanstein.

1954 Porsche 550 Spyder Engine 1

However, Porsche was still a small company then. Although some money has been received from the consulting engineering services to subsidize the program is still to the existing chassis and wheels 356, mounted on a ladder frame, use changed since 356th Engine as soon as more than 356, was tuned to 78 hp, 1500 cc. However, it was still certainly a 550 Spyder race car because of its aluminum body and mid-engine concept, the first Porsche. With only 1200 pounds, the first 550 Spyder race immediately won the 1500 cc class German Sports Car Championship in 1952.

1954 Porsche 550 Spyder Engine 2

Porsche race built eight prototypes before selling the car to the public in 1954. The first generation of “public” 1500RS called 550, a new engine – a 1500 cc boxer four with four camshafts and two spark plugs per cylinder. This was prior to today’s standards. With 125 hp and an outstanding weight of 1320 pounds, not surprisingly, continues to dominate the racing class. Note that the “public” 550 still primarily for racing, although it stopped on the street-legal institutions. Driving can be tough on the road leading to the tragedy, was an example of James Dean – in 1955 he rushed 550 Spyder on a California highway and died … I saw the picture for some time, was the 550 is really fragile.

1954 Porsche 550 Spyder Chassis

Porsche 550 once again improved in 1956. The new car, which today became the 550A, a new space-frame chassis, which not only easier, but adds three times the torsional rigidity of the lead frame. Engine was increased to 135 hp. 550A handled much better than their predecessors. Than 550 Spyder was unbeatable in the 1500 cc class for almost a decade, Porsche has been a famous name in motorsport. Starting in 1960, put an end to the whole development of 550 and began a new challenge in Formula 1 … I can say it was a failure, but after that, when focused on Porsche GT and endurance, were more successful and lasted almost three decades …

1954 Porsche 550 Spyder Front Right View

Specifications :

Model	550 / 1500RS	550A / 1500RS
Year	1954	1956
Layout	Mid-engined, Rwd.	Mid-engined, Rwd.
Chassis / body	Steel ladder chassis, aluminium body panels.	Steel space frame chassis, aluminium body panels.
Engine	Flat-4, dohc, 2v/cyl, twin-spark	Flat-4, dohc, 2v/cyl, twin-spark
Engine Capacity	1500 c.c.	1500 c.c.
Power	125 hp	135 hp
Transmission	5M	5M
Top speed	N/A	N/A
0-60 mph	N/A	N/A
Weight	600 kg	530 kg