A 69-Year-Old Porsche 550A Spyder with Racing History to Be Auctioned (10 photos)
A 1957 Porsche 550A Spyder will be auctioned at RM Sotheby's in Monaco next month. It boasts a rich racing history and numerous victories until 1962. The car has been fully restored and is in every respect like new. Experts expect the lot to sell for €3.5–3.8 million. 
The 550A featured a lighter and more rigid spaceframe in place of the original ladder frame. The suspension and brakes were improved. The 1.5-liter flat-four engine with four overhead camshafts produces 135 horsepower. With a curb weight of 540 kilograms, the car, with its aerodynamic, handcrafted bodywork by Porsche Karosserie Wendler, has a top speed of 240 km/h.
In 2018, this car sold at auction at RM Sotheby's for $4.9 million. It then went to Prill Porsche Classics in Essex, England, for a restoration that took over 1,000 hours and cost nearly $400,000. This included a complete body overhaul, as well as a complete engine and transmission rebuild.
This Porsche has one unique feature that sets it apart from the 39 other examples produced. The original engine was accessed through louvered side panels. However, early in its racing career, the car's rear end was severely dented. The repair utilized a solution from the RS 550 Spyder, which featured a drop-down rear end. 
