For Sale: 1955 Beck Spyder in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1955 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 LeMans, 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 Beck 550 Spyder with a title verified 28,518 kilometers, or 17,720 actual miles for those of us in the good old US of A. 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, built in the early 90's, comes to you with a binder full of receipts, meticulous hand drawn notes and diagrams, specs and correspondence documenting the full history of this Spyder replica.

NOTE: This vehicle is sold with a clean and clear Pennsylvania title that shows the vehicle make as Special Construction. Please research proper titling procedures with you country, state, provincial, county or local DMV.

Exterior
This roadster is a standout in Silver Metallic on its fiberglass body, incredibly low to the ground and perched on 15-inch wheels with red pinstripes. Arching rear hips lead to single tail lights that come at the end of red tail spears. The rear section is held in place by leather belts and open to the atmosphere via twin grilles over the rear mounted engine while 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 callouts present in gold, the Mobil Pegasus appears on the front fenders, and Wendler plates are mounted on the bottom of each front quarter panel. A modest windscreen protects the driver's front while a dramatic fairing is there for backup. Imperfections are limited to a dimple, a scuff at wheel opening, and a few other minor inclusions.

Interior
Hollow doors are lined inside the surrounding frame with red looped carpet while Tartan Red leather covers the bomber style bucket seats which proudly display genuine wear and patina and they are surrounded 360 degrees with clean, red carpet. The wood steering wheel has contrasting polished spokes and the reemergence of the Porsche crest. The molded fiberglass takes in three VDO gauges for the driver's purview, black faced with greenish digits and silver rims. From there, the smooth silver painted fiberglass forms a wide oval that becomes the footwell where once again, we find red carpet. A wood knobbed shifter rises from the flat floor and is in its raw form, showing off linkage and construction. In the frunk is the gas tank and small storage area, and everything described in this section is in fantastic condition.

Drivetrain
Pivoting the rear section back reveals a 1.8 liter SOHC H4 Subaru engine with 115 horsepower, fueled by two Dellorto carburetors and mated to a 4-speed manual transaxle that keeps power in back, routed through 3.88 gears. AN fittings, steel braided hoses, and red intakes dress the vibrant engine bay.

Undercarriage
The front is covered by an aerodynamic belly pan and the tubular frame becomes evident closer to the back. We find rust free surfaces and a bit of residual oil on the pan and some light drift to the exhaust H-pipe and mufflers of the Pacesetter exhaust system. Disc brakes are supplied to all four wheels and suspension consists of a transverse leaf spring up front and swing arms with transverse torsion bars in back.

Drive-Ability
The open and comfortable cabin is accessible via the small doors and once in, the engine turns over in short order, idles nicely, and responds to throttle and shifting with perfection. It's on the loop we learn that 115 horsepower is more than enough to activate this car briskly and it tracks straight and handles well. There aren't many accessories here and everything functional works as they should; gauges, lights, and turn signals. 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.

With a rich history in racing, the 550 Spyder represents one of the most legendary cars to ever circle a track. People like Hans Herrmann, Ken Miles, and Bob Holbert had wins in the 550 and this faithful replica is an exciting and highly desired show car today.

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. All prices are before state, city and county tax, tag, title and license fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as title/registration fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered. Classic Auto Mall is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please verify listings with dealer. Vehicles may require VIN verification and/or safety and emissions inspections to transfer ownership and register the vehicle in the declared state of residence. Please check with your local DMV office to ensure compliance with your states titling and registration process.

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