Engine: Aircooled flat 4, 1500cc
Fuel system: Twin Solex Carbs
Power output: 80bhp
Max speed: 110mph
Acceleration 0-60 mph: 8.8 sec
Weight: 600 Kg

This is the car generally thought to be the Grandfather of the current day Boxster. It was the first car designed by Porsche specifically for racing, and was one of very few mid-engined Porsches (hence the boxster link!) as the drivetrain was reversed from it’s stablemate the 356. Nicknamed the spyder, whilst it only had 110bhp, it’s light weight made it a real challenge to many bigger cars. It won countless races and classes in the 50’s and was eventually superceded by the typ 718 spyder. Only 36 were built, and of these maybe a dozen survive. Their history is so important that these cars change hands for over £500,000 today.

Despite the racing pedigree and historic importance, one event above all overshadows the 550A spyder story and elevates it from the world of 50’s racing into that of popular culture. In September 1955 screen idol James Dean was on his way to a race meeting at Palm Springs, when a head on collision with an overtaking car cut his life short. A keen amateur racer, he had bought a new 550A from Germany and within a week of taking possession of the keys had his fatal accident. It is thought the driver coming the other way didn’t see the 550 as it is such a tiny car.

Our car is a well known Brazilian made replica called a ‘Chamonix’ or in the USA as a ‘Beck’ Spyder. Fitted with tuned VW Beetle parts (as effectively the original was!) it has a similar power to weight ratio to the original, and a non-silenced ‘rocket launcher’ exhaust! Be the coolest cat this summer in this ultimate head-turner!

Weekday points: 4; Weekend day points: 8.