1955 Porsche 550 RS Spyder

Overview

Completed in May 1955, this Porsche 550 RS Spyder, chassis 550-0041, represents one of the earliest examples of Porsche’s first purpose-built race car. Finished from new in Silver Metallic with red darts and red upholstery, it was equipped with a Type 547 four-cam engine (no. 90037) and four-speed transaxle (no. 10031).

According to factory correspondence from Jurgen Barth of Porsche AG Customer Racing (1998), 550-0041 was delivered new on May 5, 1955, to Richard (“Paul”) Trenkel of Germany. Shortly thereafter, it was acquired by Mathieu Hezemans of Eindhoven and co-driven by Count Carel Godin de Beaufort, with the car’s 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans entry officially submitted under Wolfgang Seidel’s name.

European Competition History

Raced extensively between 1955 and 1957, 550-0041 saw action at Hockenheim, Nürburgring, Avus, Zandvoort, Solitude, and Le Mans, among other venues. It achieved a 4th overall finish at its debut in the Rheinpokal-Rennen, followed by a series of strong European results including a victory at Zandvoort, class podiums at the Nürburgring 1000 Km, and numerous appearances in top-level events across Germany, Holland, and France.

Hezemans and de Beaufort shared driving duties throughout the 1956 season, highlighted by their run at Le Mans (No. 27) and appearances at the Nürburgring 1000 Km, Solitude Rennen, Swedish Grand Prix, and German Grand Prix support race, before the car’s final European outings in 1957.

Transition to the United States

By the late 1950s, 550-0041 was imported to the United States, appearing at Bill Murphy Buick in Culver City, California, where it was purchased by Bill Eichler, a Douglas Aircraft illustrator and volunteer with the California Sports Car Club. Eichler had Vasek Polak replace the original four-cam engine with a 1500 Super pushrod motor to make it more usable on the road.

In June 1962, the Spyder was sold to Gary and Loretta Cooper of Huntington Beach, California, who enjoyed it for more than two decades as both a driver and show car. In 1984, they sold the car to their close friend Bill Perrone, founder of The Parts Shop and an early Porsche specialist.

Restoration and Later History

During Perrone’s ownership, 550-0041 underwent a full restoration and received an unnumbered four-cam engine rebuilt to RSK specification, producing approximately 150 bhp. It debuted in 1992 at the PCA Porsche Parade in San Diego, followed by a class win at the Monterey Historics that same year.

After a minor racing incident, the body was repaired by Bruce Kimmins Coachcraft in Lake Havasu, Arizona, with mechanical work overseen by Al Cadrobbi and Jim Ansite. During this time, Perrone successfully located the car’s original matching-numbers engine case (no. 90037), which remains with the car.

The Spyder went on to earn major recognition, including the Road & Track Trophy at Pebble Beach in 1998 and 2009, and appearances at the Petersen Automotive Museum, Palos Verdes Concours, Rennsport Reunion II, Los Angeles Auto Show, and the Porsche Race Car Classic in Carmel.

Since 2013, 550-0041 has been part of a prominent North American Porsche collection, where it continues to be exercised and maintained in excellent condition. It retains its original transaxle (no. 10031) and includes its original engine case (no. 90037), along with extensive documentation.

Technical Specifications

• Type 547 DOHC flat-four, (upgraded to RSK-spec ~1,700 cc)

• Twin Weber carburetors

• Type 718 4-speed gearbox with ZF limited-slip differential

• Four-wheel independent torsion-bar suspension

• Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes

• Aluminum body over tubular spaceframe

• Street-legal and well-sorted

Car Highlights

• Extensive, well-documented European race history (1955–1957)

• Period entries at Le Mans, Nürburgring, Avus, Solitude, Zandvoort, and Swedish GP

• Driven by Richard Trenkel, Mathieu Hezemans, Carel Godin de Beaufort, and Wolfgang Seidel

• Retains original transaxle and includes matching-numbers engine case

• Restored and vintage-raced by Bill Perrone

• Multiple concours and racing awards, including Pebble Beach Road & Track Trophy (1998, 2009)

• Displayed at Petersen Museum, Rennsport Reunion, and major Porsche events

Inquire via CabiglioGarage@gmail.com