Vehicle Description
1955 Porsche Beck 550 Spyder
"Late in 1954 Porsche finally implemented its long pending plan to
produce a limited number of Type 550 sports racers; the first two
were delivered just before the end of the year. They were patterned
closely on the cars built for Le Mans, and in fact pictures of
those 1954 cars were used in the simple two color flyer that
announced the availability of the Porsche Type 550/1500RS known
also for the first time, as the Spyder". Excerpted from "Porsche;
Excellence Was Expected" by Karl Ludvigsen, 1977
For consignment, a 1955 Porsche Beck 550 Spyder with a title
verified 1,940 actual miles. Beck Speedster builds replica Porsche
models and offers three stages of completion including deluxe pre
assembled, roller package ready to accept a drivetrain, and a
turnkey package. This car has one trophy under its belt, winning
Best of Show in the first and only show into which it was
entered.
Exterior
This roadster is a standout in Silver Blue Metallic on its
fiberglass body, incredibly low to the ground and perched on
15-inch wheels. Arching rear hips lead to single LED tail lights
sculpted into the single piece rear clip, held in place by leather
straps and open to the atmosphere via twin grilles over the rear
mounted engine. A single tailpipe emerges just under the license
plate. The front fenders also rise like rounded mounds that
terminate at the headlights which cant rearward providing some
aerodynamics, flanking a sloping nose emblazoned with the Porsche
crest in line with the gas cap protruding from a hole in the hood.
The Spyder emblems present in gold and a chrome side mirror is
mounted nearby on the driver's side, while Wendler tags are mounted
on the bottom of the front quarter panel. Proportionally, the door
and windscreen are small but fitting for the car. The only
imperfections are some scuffs under the rolled body panel behind a
wheel.
Interior
Hollow doors are lined inside the surrounding frame with blue knit
cloth, while blue leather covers the bomber style bucket seats
equipped with Crow racing harnesses that wrap around the chromoly
frame that cuts through the cabin in walls that are covered in that
blue cloth. The wonderfully glossy wood steering wheel has
contrasting chrome spokes and the reemergence of the Porsche crest.
The molded fiberglass takes in three gauges for the driver's
purview, black faced with green digits and silver rims, looking
very much like a combination of retro styling and modern
technology. Some ivory knobs are in the center and a wood knobbed
shifter rises from the flat floor which continues through an oval
opening leading to the open footwell covered in blue cloth where we
encounter an amplifier and speakers. In the frunk is the gas tank
and small storage area, and everything described in this section is
in like new condition.
Drivetrain
Behind the cabin sits a clean Volkswagen 2017cc flat 4 cylinder
wearing dual Weber 2-barrel carburetors and putting out a dyno
proven 147.2 horsepower. It's tied to a 4-speed manual transmission
to keep power at the back wheels and 3.88 gears. Headers spin off
the engine and the exhaust soon encounters Magnaflow mufflers
before heading out back. There is a spare tire mounted behind the
engine.
Undercarriage
All clean underneath with a belly pan taking up most of the real
estate. The tailpipes join as one after the mufflers and exit via a
polished oval tip. There's no surface rust nor oil underneath and
the knuckles are spotless. Suspension is independent.
Drive-Ability
Beck 550's typically weigh around 1,300 pounds and with 147 horses
driving the rear wheels, that can only mean one thing, zippy good
fun! The seating position is reclined and low, very low, and you
instantly feel like a part of the car as opposed to simply being an
operator. The car is quick and handles on rails and provides
limitless visibility and a comfortable if not austere cabin. All
functions provided in the car operate as they should and sadly, our
test lap comes to an end. While Classic Auto Mall represents that
these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we
cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of
your purchase.
The legend of the 550 can be traced to places like N�rburgring, Le
Mans, and Sebring where Pennsylvania native Bob Holbert drove his
newly acquired 550A, (RS), to his first SCCA championship. The
model set records at Bonneville and prompted Ken Miles to say in
1957 "it must surely be one of today's most successful designs".
Like authentic Cobras, driving an authentic one freely would be a
risky endeavor, but great replicas like this Beck, are respected,
desirable, and more than show worthy.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
