Porsche - ACI 550 Spyder (replica)
ACI 550 Spyder
A stunning replica of the famous Porsche 550 Spyder. The car that is known as the James Dean Car and the car that had numerous victories on the international raceways in the 50's.
This replica is build in the United States with the basic layout of the original (engine in the middle). The engine is located right behind the firewall, behind the driver and passenger seats. This car is built around a tubular frame on which the polyester sheet metal is mounted. This ideal setup and the low weight off the car make it a pleasure to drive in.
It is, due to changed legislation in recent years, no longer possible to get these mid-engine cars from the United States on the road in Europa. The replica offered here is therefore very limited in the European market. Regularly replicas on VW Beetle or Skoda basis are offered but these cars have the engines located at the far back. With the engine in the back these replicas are further away from the original in which James Dean died in California on September 30, 1955.
The Porsche 550 (also called 550 Spyder ) was the first car Porsche designed only for use in auto racing. The model was suited with a four-cylinder 1500 cc Fuhrmann-engine with an overhead camshaft. The engine yielded an output of 110 hp. There are also a number of cars which were build as a coupé model. The Porsche 550 was in production from 1953 until 1956 and was succeeded by the Porsche 718 .
There are only slightly more than 80 original Porsche 550 built. When one of these original cars get auctioned astronomical sums are paid for. In 2012 chassis 550-0062 raised 3.685.000,- USD at the auction of Amelia Island. In 2013 this was repeated when at the Mecum auction 3.750.000,- USD for a 550 Spyder from 1955 was paid.
A funny anecdote is that the Porsche 550 Spyders were so low to the ground that former Formula 1 driver Hans Hermann drove this car under closed railroad crossing gates during the Mille Miglia in 1954.
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