Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

Everywhere in front - Porsche Spyder 550 (in the historical driving report)

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on November 1, 1954

Text:

Richard von Frankenberg

Photos:

Archiv Porsche AG

2

Archiv

18

Archiv Porsche AG

2

Archiv

18

Porsche 550 RS Spyder (1954) - it is said to have a top speed of 225 km/h, and is only sold to private drivers after thorough testing - Geneva Motor Show 1954

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 (1955) - Illustration from the 1955 sales documents

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 Coupe (1953) at Le Mans 1953 - Hans Herrmann drove at Le Mans for the first time in 1953 and secured second place in his class after the Porsche 550 of Richard von Frankenberg and Paul Frère

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 (1954) - at the Paris Motor Show 1954 - early version

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 (1955) - sectional drawing from the sales brochure

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 (1955) - cockpit view (graphic)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 (1955) - Interior

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 (1955) - side view of a freshly produced 1500RS

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 (1956) - in hard use at the Mitholz-Kandersteg hill climb in 1959

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 (1955) - Vehicle illustration in a sales brochure

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 A 1500 RS (1957) - Elegant, purpose-optimized shape

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 (1959) - four-cylinder engine with four overhead camshafts

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Conventional Stössel engine without king shafts - Geneva Motor Show 1954

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 (1955) - Engine from the front and rear - from a sales brochure

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 (1959) - the vertical shaft engine - engine cross-section drawing

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 (1955) - Engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 A RS Spyder (1956) - more power and five gears

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 (1956) - tubular frame of the mid-engined racing car

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 A 1500 RS (1957) - Headrest trimmed for aerodynamics

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 550 (1955) - illustration from the sales brochure

You have only

1 out of 20

images seen in high resolution

Summary

With the king-shaft four-cylinder engine, Porsche broke new ground in engine construction and laid the foundations for countless motorsport successes. The first driving tests were carried out in secret, with only the changed sound betraying the new engine. Richard von Frankenberg was allowed to take a seat in the Porsche 550 Spyder at an early stage and his comparisons with the standard cars of the time are impressive and instructive. This article reproduces the original report from 1954 and shows the Porsche 550 Spyder in many historical pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

Secrets under the hood
First race outing
Presentation in Paris
Four camshafts, dual ignition
High revs
A wild animal
'Top' over 230 km/h
Excellent roadholding and brakes

Estimated reading time: 10min

Preview (beginning of the article)

At the 1953 German Grand Prix, the racing cars in the 1500 class had just been called up for practice. The two cars that were to be driven in the race by Helm Glöckler and Hans Herrmann were pushed into the Porsche pits - these cars were already familiar. They had appeared for the first time at the Eifel race two months earlier; open, very low two-seaters without a hood ('Spyder' they were also called), with a normal Porsche 1500 Super engine, just a bit 'souped up'. These two cars had raced at Le Mans - with a small coupé attachment to reduce drag - and had achieved a magnificent one-two victory. Then they had been on the Avus, yes, and now they were driving the 3rd championship race at the Nürburgring as scheduled...

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: