Images: Fiskens
This little legend, a 1957 Porsche 550A, claimed a fifth overall in the 24 Hours of Le Mans along with class wins at the Nürburgring and in the Goodwood Tourist Trophy. It even raced in Formula 1.
It’s a very special machine indeed, and if you head to Fiskens now, you can buy it.
0145, this car, is one of just 46, and was a Porsche Werks entry for four world championship races in the 1958 season. In that short time it secured a best-ever finish for a 550A at Circuit de la Sarthe when it claimed fifth overall in the 1958 24 Hours of Le Mans. It also claimed class wins in the 1000km Nürburgring and Goodwood Tourist Trophy.
It become the only 550A to race in Formula 1 when it raced at Zandvort in the 1958 Dutch Grand Prix. Carel Godin de Beaufort made his first Formula 1 start in the car, qualifying 17th and finishing 11th.
When its Werks career came to an end, 0145 went to Herb Hanna of Ontario, Canada until Bill Saddler of California purchased it in 1967. It stayed in California, passing between owners, until 1991, when Berhardt von Schenk bought the car and returned it to its native Germany. In 2002 it made its way to Italy, where it stayed until it was purchased by its current owner in 2013.
Today it’s in exceptionally original condition. Chassis and aluminium body are in great shape, its original engine number and five-speed transaxle are verified by Porsche, and it includes rare and original correct voltage regulator, glass fuel pressure bowl, seats, jack, oil filter assembly and Spyder steel and alloy wheels.
In 2012 the engine received a full rebuild and has not been pushed since, and a new fuel cell has been installed inside the original to provide safety in use while preserving the original tank.
Original, beautiful and useable, this is a rare machine with an interesting and successful history. We hope to see it head to a happy new home, and enjoy an active life in the historic motorsport scene.
For more information head to Fiskens’ website here.
Images via Fiskens
A Lovely Little Giant Killer – 1957 Porsche 550A For Sale is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
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