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Lol you mean the drilled key? Was that a standard feature?
Gravs, I'm far from a 550 Spyder expert so I don't know with absolute certainty that Porsche drilled the ignition keys on the 550, but I took these pics of the 550 with the key in the ignition at Rennsport Reunion VI. I was in the paddock ogling all the 550's and this one was being worked on in preparation for the next race.
Usually when you encounter a 550 it is on public display at a concours or in a museum or at some event like Luft and, for obvious reasons (i.e. theft), the key isn't left in the car. So it's a rare sighting to actually see a 550 key. Hell, it's an incredibly rare sighting just to see a 550 because recall that Porsche only made 90 of them -- that's it! So, based on the one key I've actually seen, which was drilled, I'm guessing they were all drilled.
The controls on the dashboards of 550 Spyders are somewhat delicate, which makes sense since they were chosen for their lightness rather than their strength. Porsche’s obsession with removing every possible ounce of excess weight from the 550 is evident virtually everywhere, down to the drilled-out pedals and handbrake lever (which you can see in the first picture above).
Just take a look at the drilled holes in what I think is the original spare wheel/tire from a 550:
If Porsche went to this extent to add lightness, then it would be entirely consistent for them to drill the key.
Also, as you probably know, there are a few companies that make 550 Spyder replicas and kit cars, one of whom advertises, “The gauges are period correct replicas with a correct push button start and ignition that even has the key drilled with a period correct key fob. The door handles are drilled as is the custom pedal cluster.” Because these companies are in the business of making accurate replicas of the 550, I'm assuming they drill the key and other components to mimic the originals.
Originally Posted by Zeus993
I'd be awesome to create a key like this Nick, but I guess only in the Gen-1's where we still have a metallic key. Sorry buddy...
There you go again, Joel, rubbing in the 987's advantages! You sure don't miss a beat.
Gravs, I'm far from a 550 Spyder expert so I don't know with absolute certainty that Porsche drilled the ignition keys on the 550, but I took these pics of the 550 with the key in the ignition at Rennsport Reunion VI. I was in the paddock ogling all the 550's and this one was being worked on in preparation for the next race.
Usually when you encounter a 550 it is on public display at a concours or in a museum or at some event like Luft and, for obvious reasons (i.e. theft), the key isn't left in the car. So it's a rare sighting to actually see a 550 key. Hell, it's an incredibly rare sighting just to see a 550 because recall that Porsche only made 90 of them -- that's it! So, based on the one key I've actually seen, which was drilled, I'm guessing they were all drilled.
The controls on the dashboards of 550 Spyders are somewhat delicate, which makes sense since they were chosen for their lightness rather than their strength. Porsche’s obsession with removing every possible ounce of excess weight from the 550 is evident virtually everywhere, down to the drilled-out pedals and handbrake lever (which you can see in the first picture above).
Just take a look at the drilled holes in what I think is the original spare wheel/tire from a 550:
If Porsche went to this extent to add lightness, then it would be entirely consistent for them to drill the key.
Also, as you probably know, there are a few companies that make 550 Spyder replicas and kit cars, one of whom advertises, “The gauges are period correct replicas with a correct push button start and ignition that even has the key drilled with a period correct key fob. The door handles are drilled as is the custom pedal cluster.” Because these companies are in the business of making accurate replicas of the 550, I'm assuming they drill the key and other components to mimic the originals.
There you go again, Joel, rubbing in the 987's advantages! You sure don't miss a beat.
Incredible pics Nick. Thanks so much for posting these.
As for the Gen-1 Spyder - he's like the younger brother that has to be scrappy enough to keep up! He can't compete in HP with that glorious 3.8 of yours and that oh-so-sexy front-end so he has to work on weight savings like drilled keys, headlight washer and cup-holder deletes to keep up! Now to drill the handbrake lever...
P.s. Sooooo love the rusty seatbelt clip in the 550. Wonderful that it's NOT concours condition... IMO
The Spyder was on display today at Porsche Palooza (sponsored by Circle Porsche) at the Long Beach Pier sandwiched between a 914-6 and a lovely Gemini Blue GT3. Overcast morning clouds resulted in some really dark pics.
The Spyder was on display today at Porsche Palooza (sponsored by Circle Porsche) at the Long Beach Pier sandwiched between a 914-6 and a lovely Gemini Blue GT3. Overcast morning clouds resulted in some really dark pics.
Saw it. Beautiful. My Spyder was on display at the valet. 😁
As both a 914 and Spyder owner, I appreciate those pix!! A couple nice 914's!!
The 914's really drew a crowd! And the bond between 914 owners seems particularly close with a lot of cross-education and info sharing going on. Definitely a brotherhood it seems, more so than perhaps with other models in the line-up (except for 356 owners who are in a league of their own!).
Originally Posted by SpyderSenseOC
Saw it. Beautiful. My Spyder was on display at the valet. 😁
Wish I had run into you!
Originally Posted by ZSpyder
Attached are some photos of my recently acquired Spyder.
06-23-2019, 11:30 PM
