Untangling the web Then and now. In mid June 1953 Porsche’s first two Type A concise look at the history of 550 coupes made their Le Mans debut. The four-cam en- gine was not ready so both cars were equipped with 1500 Super engines. After a relatively trouble free race, Richard von Frankenberg and Paul Frere finished 15th Porsche Spyders overall and first in class driving 550-02 (car #45). Right By Phil Carney behind them was Helmut Glöckler and Hans Herrmann in 550-01 (car #44). The 550-02 chassis is believed to have s has been previously documented, the Porsche 356 SL was the firm’s first post-war race car. been destroyed but 550-01 has been restored and is now Eleven examples were built using leftover aluminum-bodied cars designed in Gmünd, Austria. proudly displayed in the Collier Collection. (Photos cour- ATheir success in competition, plus Ferry’s innate enthusiasm for racing, resulted in Zuffenhausen tesy of Porsche Archive and author’s collection) developing their first purpose-built series of race cars, the Type 550. True competition cars they were but you could also license and drive them on the street. 14 Volume 35, Number 4 • Porsche 356 Registry In researching history of the 550 “Spyder” and its later brethren, con- sulting the available literature can be frustrating. Porsche Spyders are ad- dressed in several books but the cars are generally not the main focus and therefore treated in a cursory fashion. Ludvigsen, in Excellence Was Ex- pected, writes about Spyders at great length, however the amount of detail makes it difficult to form a readily comprehendible picture out of the hun- dreds of Spyder nuances presented. Even the terminology used by the fac- tory, magazines and books is confusing. To make the subject even more challenging, unlike the 356, Porsche did not keep detailed data on all Spy- ders. There is limited preserved factory data on what Spyders were made, how they were equipped and to whom they were sold. This has resulted in people subjectively interpreting the evidence that remains as well as incor- porating their own personal experiences. Spyder evolution took place during the same time frame as the 356. The cars became an important cornerstone in how the company would grow. To understand Porsche’s early history, it is important to have an ap- preciation for Spyder development. The following story attempts to decipher their lineage by putting an end-to-end Spyder story together in a cohesive manner Terminology and Build Rates Many authors start by addressing the inspiration for the Porsche Spy- der. The Glöckler-Porsches built prior to 1954 were the direct predecessor for the Porsche Type 550. These six Glöckler race cars varied but they fea- tured several traits seen in the Type 550. The original forerunner, however, was really Roadster 356-001 built by the Porsche crew in Gmünd, Austria back in 1948. It had an aluminum roadster body, a tubular chassis, and mid-engine placement – just like the Glöckler racers and the Type 550. In the context of this story, 356-001 and the Glöckler cars are considered to be Type 550 inspirations as opposed to prototypes. The word prototype in this article actually refers to the first series of 550s built by the factory specifically for factory racing. True, these were later sold to customers but they were not intended to go directly from the assembly floor to a private buyer. The cars commonly referred to as Porsche Spyders were produced under type designations 550, 550A and 718 during the years 1953 through 1961 - perhaps into mid-1962. The word Spyder in this article is used in From top: The first Porsche at Gmünd, Austria “factory”. A Glöckler-Porsche at the Grenzlandring race, Sep- tember 9, 1951. Glöckler-Porsche #2 was restored and is shown regu- larly by its owner, Herb Weisard. Left: The first 550 is in- spected by Huschke von Hanstein (right) engineer Wilhelm Hild (center) and a shop foreman outside the Factory in 1953. Hans von Nolde photo. www.Porsche356Registry.org • November / December 2011 15 Beginning with 550-03 the rear trailing arms pivoted from the front, with new towers to hold shocks in a more vertical position. The entire rear decklid opened and the engine valve covers of a revised type 547 en- gine displayed the Porsche name. Hans von Nolde photo a generic sense to refer to all of these cars. In digit, three digit, or four digit numbers since Overall, there were not a lot of cars built actuality, the term “Spyder” was invented by Max Porsche changed their approach over time. The and most led high-profile lives. So, one might Hoffman to market the Type 550 customer cars. bottom line is that the earliest (prototype) cars conclude that establishing the history of each car Based on photographic evidence, the name ap- used two digit serial numbers (e.g. 550-06), the wouldn’t be too difficult. Not so. Unlike the steel peared in a script attached to the front fender of customer (production) 550 cars used a four 356 cars, Porsche did not keep a Kardex-like the first production/customer 550s. The script digit serial number (e.g. 550A-0144) and the warranty system for the 550/550A or 718. There was deleted in later years when the cars no 718 cars, with one exception, used a three digit is variable factory documentation remaining on longer needed a sales pitch. From the 550A on- serial number. More details later. how each car was configured and to whom it ward, you had to be someone noteworthy to be As for production numbers, the last was sold. Originally the factory kept detailed considered for ownership. No marketing was 550/550A Spyder serial number produced is be- records on their own race cars and racing but needed, or wanted, by the people in the racing lieved to be 550A-0146. The 550 and 550A num- uncovering this information often requires the and service departments. If you were not directly bers were not a continuous series and there is a sleuthing of Indiana Jones. Considering the known to Porsche KG people like Huschke von gap of ten between the two types and another range of record keeping and the fact that Spy- Hanstein or Wolfgang Raether, then Max Hoff- gap of six numbers in the 550A series. As for the ders were often generously modified by both the man or Herbert Dramm were the U.S. people Type 718 series, approximately 73 cars were factory and private owners after sale, tracking with whom you needed to be on good terms. built. Taking all this into account, there were a individual car provenance can be challenging. During the nine years of Spyder production total of approximately 203 Spyders built by This has led to debates between enthusiasts as the series went through a number of type num- Porsche. The word approximately in the previ- to the general and specific history of Porsche’s ber designations including 550, 550A, and 718. ous sentence is important because new informa- first Rennsport cars. There were some additional sub-designations in- tion is always being uncovered. We must allow cluding RS, RSK, RS60 and RS61. Like the term for the possibility that Porsche may have skipped Type 550 Pre-production Cars “Spyder,” the term RS has some mis-connotation some chassis numbers, re-used some chassis The initial batch of factory 550s wore two associated with it. Some write as if it was used numbers or assigned a new frame or body plate digit serial numbers from 550-01 through 550- to distinguish the 550A from the 550. Research number to a car rebuilt after a wreck. After all, 15. This group of cars, assigned the task of fac- of original Porsche literature and data plates they engaged in this practice with their less ex- tory racers, varied significantly in body design however shows that Porsche started using the pensive 356 cars. And once cars were in the and mechanical details. Despite the fact that “RS” term with the very first customer versions hands of private owners, shops that rebodied Porsche was experimenting with the design of of the 550 – well before the 550A. cars in the ‘50s and ‘60s may have changed the 550 during this period, the factory racers In the past, owners and auction houses numbers. This was not necessarily done as an were very successful on the track. At Le Mans in were very picky about serial numbers when dis- intentional deception but because whatever 1953 two push-rod 550 coupes (sic) were cussing the 550/550A cars – should they be two parts were available were being re-used. awarded first and second in the 1500 class. In 16 Volume 35, Number 4 • Porsche 356 Registry the western hemisphere this accomplishment denhausen having built the Glöckler cars and The 550/1500RS Customer Cars was almost upstaged by the results of the 1953 because Porsche’s first racing challenge was At the October 1953 Paris Salon, Porsche Carrera Panamericana where a Porsche 550 fin- conquering the high speed straight of Mulsanne. displayed a dressed-up Type 550 and announced ished first in the Sport Hasa 1600 class. Beginning with 550-03, the chassis was they would be taking sales orders. The display After use by the factory, Porsche sold off modified and the torsion bar was put ahead of car had a full windshield with wipers, side win- their bunch of proven but somewhat tired racers the rear axle. The Type 547 four-cam engine was dows, and a glove box but these features never to privateers where they continued to make a also ready for track testing.