The 1956 Porsche 550 A Spyder, also known as the Porsche 550 1500 RS Spyder, is a race car produced by Porsche.
The original 550 debuted in 1953 and was based on the 356, utilising existing parts including a modified ladder chassis, as well as a Type 547 Fuhrmann 1.5-liter, flat-four, air-cooled engine tuned to produce over 100 horsepower, although mounted in a central position similar to the 356/1 prototype.
In 1956 the 550 was updated to the 550 A specification, featuring a new spaceframe chassis which was lighter and more rigid, as well as an upgraded engine.
Having an exceptional power to weight ratio, the 550's racing accomplishments includes the 1954 Carrera Panamericana, as well as the 1956 Targa Florio. The model is also infamous for being the car in which famous actor James Dean was killed in on September 30, 1955.
The 550 was succeeded by the 718 in 1957.
Games[]
Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed[]
The 550 A Spyder appears in Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed as a Race class vehicle in the Classic Era category. In the PC release, it is rewarded to the player upon winning the Classic Era bonus race and is purchasable in the car dealer for $50,000.
The racing-tuned 1.5L engine produces great power for its displacement, and combined with its extremely lightweight chassis and body, the car has an excellent power-to-weight ratio, capable of achieving better acceleration and top-speed than more powerful cars developed much later, including but not limited to, factory-spec first generation 911s of 1965 - 67. The major problem is that the 550A tends to understeer at high speed.
Although qualified as a Race class car, this vintage racing machine cannot really stand toe-to-toe with a fully upgraded 911 of the classic era.
Slick and rain tyres cannot be purchased for the 550 A.
In the PlayStation release, it is purchasable as new for 50,000 CR during the Classic Era.
Gallery[]
Stock
(PC)
Stock
(PlayStation)