Spyder 550 550A

[Type550]

If you have the spyder as 550-0017, it is incorrect as it is a 550A (I am not sure how many came in white besides 550A-0132). Is it possible that it is Betty Shutes - I know she always drove under #193, but based on the time she bought the car, it would have been a 550A

[alan hall]

The car #280 looks like a 550 to me, why do you say it is a 550A?
Alan

[Type550]

If you look at the front indicator lights, they are the small beehive ones only found on a 550A. New race safety rules came into play in 1957 which made each car have a compulsory roll bar fitted. The 550A already had one fitted under the cowl by the factory, but this one looks like it has been modified to a larger bar and the cowl has been removed

[Steve Heinrichs]

as to the Nr. 280 problem---we are researching more. It ain't easy.

As to Venezuela---we think---here is another problem---we think 0046 in 1955.

Steve Heinrichs

ps--this is very difficult stuff.

[Type550]

OK Steve,

here is my logic of 550-0030 and 550-0046...

550-0046 raced in the June 1955 LeMans as #37



You will notice it has Leather straps to hold down the front bonnet

550-0030 raced in the November 1955 Venezuelan GP as #48



You will notice the key latch locks on the bonnet which were standard on all customer built spyders

Although they both have similar shark mouth oil intake openings (all of the Werks 55 LeMans cars seem to have had this and not the traditional grill), the actual air intakes on the side are slightly different.

maybe grasping at straws, but who knows!

Andrew

[JTR70]

You have a keen eye Andrew!

Steve, isn't already too late to add any changes at this stage?

[Blechquäler]

#280 - I'm going with you, Steve.

If it's a 550A, why does it have the oval style 550 rear view mirror
(which looks really big on this photo) and the "spyder" fender script?

I can't see the lid on the right rear fender but therefore it seems to be the short nose body.


Gerd

[Type550]

... what, like these 550As...?

[Blechquäler]

Hi Andrew.

Both cars on your photos have the fender lid.
Both have the long nose.
The second one has definitely not the big oval fender mirror but the more angular version.

[Type550]

They are both 550As, which I believe is the same as #280. The side mirrors were changed by the owners to get better vision for racing. The standard mirror for the RS550 was small too. Many like this 550A had their mirrors changed

[55Speedster]

Interesting brake vents on this one!

[Steve Heinrichs]

Gang,

Very busy day here so I need to be brief re comments--

As to start Nr. 280: My current take is that we have it correct as to the Watkins Glen race despite Racing Sports Cars listing as a 356. That said, and although we haveonly found one instance of "280"...I now think the photo here is not of the Watkins Glen race. We are searching for another race that includes the cars noted.

As to Venezuela: Based upon the rest of the race history for these two cars, at least for now, we are staying with 0046.

Justin---yep---near the bitter end. No doubt out of about 7,900 races all but about 150 not identified by chassis, we will have a number of mistakes.

Steve Heinrichs

[admin]

[Steve Heinrichs]

Easy restoration.

Steve Heinrichs

[JTR70]

Interesting brake vents on this one!

Thanks for posting this one Chad. What Chassis # is this spyder? It looks a bit odd to me. Sort of too long, the deck is very flat and has the feel of being an RS60 with a 550 nose?? Any info on this one guys?
Also was the wrecked spyder scrapped? I have to believe that it probably was. Chassis # known? Thanks Andrew and Steve!
Justin