Mark this thread as Unsold
1955 Porsche 550 Spyder by Vintage Motorcars with Racing History
08-27-2018, 09:41 PM
#1
1955 Porsche 550 Spyder by Vintage Motorcars with Racing History
Year: 1955
Make: Porsche
Model: 0
Cont. Porsche Models: Race Cars
Mileage (numbers only please): 10919
Color: Silver
VIN: P226413
Price (no $ sign please): $41999
Private or Dealer Listing: Private Listing
Location (Region): West
Body Style: Cabriolet
Transmission Type: Manual - 4 speed
2 or 4 Wheel Drive?: 2 Wheel Drive
Engine Type: Carbs
Stereo System: None
Available for purchase is a very exciting piece of racing history!
The La Carrera Panamericana was one the world's most exciting, and deadly road races during the 4 years it was run from 1950 to 1954. This 2,000 mile road raced on the Mexico's new highway to celebrate connecting the the Americas together. It was cancelled after 1954 due to the extremely high number of driver and spectator deaths each race. During the last two years of racing, Salvador Lopez Chavez, the well-known Mexican businessman and owner of the Canada Shoe company, entered in a particularly innovative Porsche 550 Spyder. He took a regular 550 Spyder and recreated the entire body in fiberglass and created one of the first known fiberglass race cars. It was numbered 550-001 and was recognized as the first true built racing Porsche.
Chavez and his Porsche 550 (and sister 356) are pictured below:
Fast forward to modern times and the La Carrera Panamericana race was resurrected in 1988 and celebrated its 20th running in 2007. This car was entered as an original Pan-Am car! This means it was approved to be included among the few cars that had raced in the original Carrera Panamericana!
The entrants personally requested permission from the Chavez family to wear the original livery of Salvador Lopez Chavez 550-001 car for the race. The Chavez family, as it turns out, continues to have racing as a strong part of it's fabric as son Tomas Lopez Rocha, participated in the LeMans and Daytona races and was the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) World Champion in 1991. The Chavez family was excited to grant permission to use the Canada Shoe Company name and this car was campaigned just like the original 550 driven by Salvador Lopez Chavez during that 2007 race.
This car and its sister 356 are pictured below:
Porsche 550 Spyders were raced with a variety of engines and configurations throughout history. Usually they would have a 4 cylinder overhead cam engine of great complexity that produced about 110hp. Some would be outfitted with original 356 engines making about 75hp. This particular car has a VW engine (2276cc) making about 150hp. Due to the light weight of the car (1300 lbs) it makes for a very quick, and very exciting drive.
This car has also been outfitted with additional modifications and improvements over its history that makes a unique from other 550 Spyder replicas including:
Front Mounted Oil Cooler with fan
Custom built high-capacity fuel tank
Master Electronic disconnects both inside and exterior
Rear coil over suspension (Vintage Motorcars)
Authentic Heuer Rally Clocks!
Willwood front disk brakes
Remote Oil Filter
Corbeau Racing Belts
Custom Roll Bar (welded down to frame)
Upgraded to aluminum wheels (saves 10 lbs per corner of unsprung weight)
Custom fabricated anti-roll bar
In addition the following recent work has been done:
New steering box
New tie rod ends
New steering Dampener
New brake master cylinder
New clutch master cylinder
New heim joint carburetor linkage mounts
(a MUST DO for a VW Engine on these 550's)
New "Porsche" valve covers
New push rod tubes and seals
New floor mounted dimmer switch
New sliding seat rails
New upholstery (red vinyl)
New carpet kit throughout car
New alternator
Carburetors cleaned and overhauled with Redline kits
Everything under the dash rewired and cleaned up
Car starts on its its first key turn every time. No leaks. No issues at all! The sale of this car also comes with a DropBox digital folder with half a gigabyte worth of photos, service manuals, historical data, previous owner information, etc that will go to the new owner.
Also available for purchase with car is a matching Tag Heuer La Carrera Panamericana Edition (Model cv1a10.ba0799). Great condition, all papers and box.
This is one of the most fun cars to drive. It's a great experience and garners a lot of attention from everyone. The history of the car is something that everyone appreciates as well.
Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.
VIN: P226413
$41,999 (with watch)
$39,999 (without watch)
Grant Liban
435-632-9784
grantliban@gmail.com
Vehicle is located in St. George, UT (about 1.5 hours from Las Vegas)
Private party sale (this is my personal vehicle). Title in hand.
Trending Topics
12-20-2018, 01:33 PM
#11
Managed to spin a rod bearing while driving to dinner one evening. Sent the motor out to the VW Engine guru in Vegas (I forget his name, I'll have to look at the paperwork) and it's back in the car so bumping the thread
12-30-2018, 09:29 AM
#14
Banned
Very sexy! When was this car built? What does its title say it is?
12-31-2018, 05:43 PM
#15
I'll have to look through the records again, but I believe it was originally built (By Vintage Motorcars) in the late 90's. I'll dig through the records and try to find the date. Title is in hand and reads "1955 Porsche 550". It has been registered in CA at one point in its life as well without issue.