Spyder 550 550A

[gerrymc547]

In 1998 I traveled to Mexico to varify the remains of 55-01 for a client. He had known the car and owner well, and was planning to bid on it. In the course of conversation, he told me that he had owned 550-02 in the mid-50's. He sold it to a wealthy client, for use by his son, who promptly crashed it. He took it back, and provided a large, heavy, and slow Mercedes diesel in it's place. After repair, he used it himself for some time. He then told me that 550-02 was "absolutely gone". He would not share any further details. We are left to our own conclusions.
He was outbid on -01, which went to Joe Cavigliri for a masterful restoration,and is now in the Collier collection. I am pleased that Joe did this work, as my effort would have fallen well short of Joe's.

[Steve Heinrichs]

Gerry,

This sounds reasonable to me. That said, I have an old list of 550 and 550A owners and it shows 550-02 in the U.S. I have never been able to follow the lead. The list was from the late '70s.

Steve Heinrichs

[AMP]

Hard to believe that 002 is "absolutely gone". If it was on a boat that sank or was destroyed in a disaster of another sort then what would keep those who might know from saying?

Hard to believe someone at some point did not realize it had potential for enough value to make it worth keeping.

Maybe a jilted wife or girl friend knows the answer. Maybe an agreement or disagreement of some kind keeps it hidden.

[Trevor]

Ashley - I've asked this question too. If I was a betting man I'd say probably down in Mexico tucked away in some shed/garage that only a handful of people know about.

[356]

Love this thread

[Type550]

Steve, you don't seem to have a listing for the photo above:

12.6.1955
Parma-Poggio di Berceto
#154 Luigi Massadaglia
Finished 12th
550-0035

[Steve Heinrichs]

Boys, I think 550-02 is in the U.S.

Steve Heinrichs

[Trevor]

Boys, I think 550-02 is in the U.S.

Steve Heinrichs

I hope you're right Steve, that would mean (to me anyways) it's theoretically one step closer to being seen in the public eye again.

[vhelmle]

Hello Everyone,

Steve Heinrichs has asked me to note corrections that we will list in the next Errata sheet for the Carrera book.

On page 549, we list 6 June 1955 Parma-Poggio di Berceto race. Pilots were Piero Facetti/Luigi Messedaglia. Both Italian other sources now list the correct date.

1. We need to change the race date from 6 June 1955 to 12 June 1955.
2. We need to change the start nr. from 2 to 154.

[Type550]

Today is 550-0040 which is currently owned by an Italian collector and is fully restored in 550 red. It currently competes in many European classic car events. 0040 was originally owned and race by 50s racing legend Ernst Vogel.

[55Speedster]

Looks like an extra engine grill was added to this Spyder!

[Type550]

A couple of weeks ago I posted this about the same photo John posted:



Now we have the full story - Steve, you will need to update this race too - change car to 550-0084 and race car # from _4 to #64

thanks again!

[vhelmle]

[356]

[356]