1973 Porsche 550 Spyder Replica
- Martin & Walker Technic 550 Spyder
- 2366cc Porsche engine producing 140bhp
- Porsche 901 five-speed gearbox
- Featured in Volks World magazine
| YEAR | 1973 |
| MAKE | Porsche |
| PRICE | £58,000 |
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION
With an enlarged Porsche 914 engine producing in the region of 140bhp, and an overall weight of about 650kg, this superbly built 550 Spyder replica is an exciting and exhilarating little sports car.
Built during the mid-1990s using one of the highly regarded kits offered by Hampshire-based Martin & Walker, this Technic 550 Spyder features an impressive specification that combinesa lightweight GRP bodyshell, a tubular spaceframe chassis, and a mid-mounted Porsche 914 engine.
The Volkswagen Beetle-based front suspension features double wishbones and adjustable coilovers, and there’s a de Dion rear axle. The Porsche braking system, meanwhile, uses discs at the front and drums at the rear.
The engine was originally a 2-litre flat-four from a Porsche 914, and was running on fuel injection. It’s subsequently been taken out to 2366cc with different barrels and cylinder heads, and has larger valves and a lightened flywheel. It’s now fitted with twin Dellorto 45 DRLA carburettors and drives through a Porsche 901 five-speed gearbox.
In 2007, the 550 Spyder was bought by a British Porsche enthusiast who’d previously owned a 928 and a 911 SC. He was living in Spain at the time and revelled in its performance on the rural roads of the Costa Brava, and during his ownership the car was featured in Volks Worldmagazine.
Having subsequently returned to the UK, it was treated to a carburettor rebuild in 2020 and now features a stainless-steel exhaust system. The simple, spartan interior features leather-trimmed bucket seats and Sabelt harnesses, and from behind the wheel it feels every inch the period 1950s road-racer, evoking a golden era in Porsche’s illustrious competition history.
MODEL HISTORY
Porsche made its name in the early post-war years with the 356, which found enduring success on either side of the Atlantic. Motorsport played an important role during that formative period, and in 1951 Porsche made its first appearance in the Le Mans 24 Hours – and promptly won its class with a lightweight development of the 356.
Two years later, it introduced the 550 Spyder – a much more competition-focused, mid-engined sports-racing car that was powered by the marque’s Type 547 four-cylinder engine.This quad-cam, 1498cc unit featured dry-sump lubrication and twin-plug ignition, and had a power output of about 110bhp.
The 550 Spyder enjoyed huge success, with class wins at Le Mans and on the gruelling Carrera Panamericana road race, its achievements on the latter leading to Porsche’s famous use of the ‘Carrera’ name.
A 550 Spyder driven by Hans Herrmann also won its class on the Mille Miglia in 1954, its low profile enabling Herrmann to simply drive under a barrier when he encountered a closed level crossing during the race.
Two years later, Umberto Maglioli took overall victory in the Targa Florio at the wheel of a 550 RS, the nimble sports-racer being perfectly suited to the twisting, undulating Sicilian roads. By then, Porsche had introduced the updated 550A, with a lighter, stiffer spaceframe chassis.
The 550 Spyder was also a huge success in America, especially on the thriving West Coast racing scene. With support from official importer John von Neumann, famous drivers such as Richie Ginther and Ken Miles enjoyed early success in these giant-killing machines before the 550 family was replaced by the 718 RSK.
Only 90 Porsche 550 Spyders were built and, not surprisingly, it’s been a popular choice for replica-makers over the years. The Technic 550 Spyder was originally conceived by Barrie Martin and could be bought as a DIY kit or as a complete, ‘turn-key’ car. It’s thought that about 150 were sold after it first appeared in the late 1980s.