1956 Porsche 550 Spyder ‘barn find’ to fetch millions at auction

One of the rarest cars made by Porsche is being offered for the first time in four decades, and is expected to attract at least $2 million.

After nearly 35 years in a barn in Switzerland, a 1956 Porsche 550 Spyder will soon be heading across the auction block.

The 550 Spyder is just one of 90 examples produced by Porsche between 1953 and 1956, and this particular vehicle is one of the very last, rolling off the production line on 2 February 1956 as chassis number 550-0079.

While the 550 Spyder is notorious for being the car actor James Dean was tragically killed in, this 550 has a somewhat more positive history.

Originally finished in red with a beige interior, the car was first sold to notable racing car driver Rita Rampinelli, who had the bonnet painted white to echo the colours of her native flag of Switzerland.

The vehicle passed through a number of hands, including notable race-winning 1960s Formula One driver Jo Siffert, before it was put into storage in the 1980s.

At some point, the 550 received a new factory works engine and a newer RS60 bodywork in order to make the car more competitive against modern rivals.

Gooding and Company will be offering the Porsche 550 Spyder at its London Auction in “as-found” condition, with a price estimate given of between £1.25-1.75 million ($AU2.2-3.09 million).

But despite the car’s unoriginal engine and body, strong demand for rare Porsches could see bids driven higher than anticipated.

Another 550 Spyder sold for $US4.185 million ($AU6.08M) back in March, falling short of the all-time record – a hammer price of $US5.17 million ($AU7.52M) recorded back in 2018.

This 1956 Porsche 550 Spyder will head to auction on 3 September 2022, with more information found by clicking here.

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