1953 Porsche 550-01 Coupe

On loan from the Collier Collection

Porsche Racing Take Shape

In the early 1950's Porsche was not a racecar manufacturer, they simply made raceworthy production cars. As competition grew ferce from other manufacturer's purpose buil machines, Porsche realized they would have to enter the racecar business as well. In 1953 a new chapter in automotive history began as enginners started work on the first Porsche vehicle built exclusively for racing. Taking cues from the original 356 prototype, the team added steelladder framing, a production-based 1500cc pushrod boxer engine and capped it off with aluminum bodywork. Porsche produced only two of these beatifully shaped machines: 550-01 and 550-02.


In the premiere outing on May 31, 1953, 550-01 won it's first ever event, taking victory at Nurburgring. Later that year 550-01 won the 1000 kilometer race in Buenos Aires and both cars competed in the grueling, five-day 3000 kilometer Carrera Panamerica. Car 550-02 took the class win after sister car 550-01 retired with the fastest time in four of the event's right stages. After its Carrera Panamerica debut, 550-01 raced in Mexico until 1957, appearing in over 30 events.

This vehicle is the original Porsche 550-01 racecar, and appears courtesy of the Collier Collection of Naples, Florida in 1997 550-01 was sold to an Australian collector, who began an extensive restoration. Shortly after being restored the vehicle became part of the Collier Collection on March 13, 2005 Porsche 550-01 made its debut at the Amelia Island Concours dElegance, where it won "Best of Show Porsche" and "Best of Show Sports".






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January 4, 2010, 9:51 am