Spyder 550 550A

[Type550]

Now that I look at my photos, I don't think he raced 550A-0104 at all. All the red spyders are an RS, not a 550A, so 550A-0133 was probably the only 550A he raced!

[Type550]

Hi Vance - you are correct that it is a 550A which was released in 1956, so after the death of Dean. Jean Pierre Kunstle always raced under #118, but after his 550-0069, he bought the red 550A-0104. It is thought that he raced that car until the end of the '58 season, but he also drove the silver 550A-0133 which was entered into the 1958 12 h Sebring #45 with Ken Miles.



The following race at Palm Springs you can still see the Sebring number under the #118



The cowl had a Swiss flag sticker on it which indicates that it was Kunstle's car.

The race with the white 356 #24 I believe was at Pomona in October 1957 and the 356 was raced by Ed Baker who finished 9th. Kunstle finished 2nd

[356]

Andrew, in the above photo Jack Staggs believes that might be James Dean in his Speedster but its up against a 550A. Was he killed before these began competing? By the way I recognize it as such due only to your tutelage.
~Vance

Is this 550-03 here in 1953?

[356]

[356]

[Porschinelle]

[356]

Awesome Andrew

[Type550]

550-0030 at Santa Barbara in Sept 1955 driven by Jack McAfee

[356]

[356]

So strange to see it without the roof. It seems like it was built backwards and the steering wheel should be facing the other way...at least from this vantage.
~Vance

[Type550]

Yes it is 550-02 and here it is without roof...

[356]

Great point Andrew, Buyer beware for sure.

Is this an old pic of 02 as well?

[Type550]

good luck - many think they know, but no one has found it yet and when they do, who owns it..? Just like 550-05 - someone recently bought the frame and title off a dealer in Florida - unfortunately the title has been going around the traps for years and worth diddly squat...

Let's see if they spend half a mill on building it and flog it off to some rich, unsuspecting collector

[matthijs550]

Still chasing 550-02 (nr 152)
I think I know where it is...

[Carrera GT]

Porsche Race Car Classic "Drive" 550-004 Hans Herman and Peter Porsche at the staging area before the drive back in 2011. What an amazing event! Really great to have a front row seat for this!!!

Not to forget this man, Steve Heinrichs (RIP) who did the amazing PRCC event.





Michael Doyle