Spyder 550 550A

[356]

Thanks for the clarification Andrew.

[Type550]

Found this early image of George Keck's recreation "RSKeck" which was a rebodied 550A-0104.

[Porschinelle]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_GGE1ryVoA

[Porschinelle]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNRJneoTtPc

[Type550]

With 550A-0145 coming up for auction again next January after it didn't reach its reserve last year at Pebble Beach, I thought I would have a look at the race history I have on this car.



They have the next owner as Peter Ryan, but he owned a 550 and then bought a RS60. They also have Jim Muzzin following Ryan, but I am sure he owned an earlier 550A...
The whole provenance starts to look very muddy for this car!

[JOP]

I do like the updates and findings of old history that you are so good at getting together
It may not be so nice for some owners to get corrected and "loss" of fame and value but it should be correct!
I always enjoyed when you and late Steve were in a battle.

Thx & keep digging

Per

[Type550]

Thanks Per - I do enjoy the challenge to find the truth and I truly miss the heated discussions with Steve. He would be gloating now that I have conceded that 550-05 returned to Europe and it was 550-07 all along! But I am happy to admit defeat or be corrected when there is solid proof - that is what history is all about...

[Carrera_The_Kid]

Hi Andrew, interesting stuff. The Dutch connection interests me. Carel was a good family friend of my friends wife. His mother in law has told me great stories about him. What a fascinating character.

On a different note. The leather hood straps appear to be a good indicator also. The #31 Bunker car does not appear to have these while Carel's #32 does

[Type550]

The leather straps on the hood were added after the car was crashed by Bunker. It was a quick repair in a couple of weeks so it could race at LeMans. As these cars only had 2 small church key locks to hold the hood down, the straps were that extra security.

I have a couple of blurred photos of Jim Muzzin racing in Canada and it looks like his car might have the straps too. The Carrera book has his car as 550A-0123, but I am beginning to doubt it, and I think the Canadian drivers of Ryan, Bradley and Muzzin are mixed up. I think the owners were de Beaufort, Bradley and Muzzin. I have contacted a few people to see if there are any race photos of them

[alan hall]

550-069 in Hawaii, circa 1963

[Type550]

Excellent photos Alan - haven't seen those ones. Here is Kunstle in the car

[alan hall]

Andrew,
These were sent to me by the owner when he had it for sale in Road and Track in 1963...been sitting in a drawer since.

[Type550]

Was that Ray Turnbull? I would love to get hold of those originals for my book!

[alan hall]

No, it was someone named H. Uyesato who apparently worked at or owned Kokokahi Service Station in Kaneohe, Oahu. He had purchased the car from a Mrs. Tetta Richerts (if I am reading his letter correctly) of Honolulu who had bought it sometime around 1967, and raced it a few seasons and then blew the engine. Apparently the car was also damaged in the front skin, presumably sometime after the photos were taken.

[Type550]

Yes, Alan - that sounds correct. It was Hikoharu Uyesato who bought it off Tetta.