1955 Porsche 550 Spyder Recreation by Thunder Ranch featuring Porsche 912 Motor

I am pleased to offer this Porsche 550 Spyder recreation made by Thunder Ranch. The current owner purchased the car as a roller in 2012 and has been working towards completion ever since. He has also been sourcing very special 550 Spyder items to make this car even more authentic. Owner estimates that the car is currently 85% complete. Any mechanic or skilled tinkerer can complete this car in no time at all.

The car had been on the road and traveled 1400 miles (driven by the previous owner) but once purchased by the current owner, the car was put up on jack stands and work to improve the car began. Car was built to replicate the 1955 Le Mans race car. #23 is painted on the car and is under the clear coat so it would be difficult to remove.

A list of features and items to complete is below:

– VW motor was ripped out and replaced with a 1968 Porsche 912 motor fitted with Weber carbs

– A spare tire is now fitted and has the correct 550 style leather hold down straps

– The car now has the proper headlight buckets with vintage fluted lenses and Hella headlights and bulbs – Now fitted are the correct style parking/turn indicator lights

– Also added are the proper 550 style tail lights

– For some authenticity, a vintage German license plate is included and for the James Dean fans, also included is a replica of James Dean’s license plate

– Owner added a bulkhead bolster with the correct style top fitting as found on original 550 Spyders. (Little details such as this are rarely found on these recreations)

– Seats are the proper style slotted seats and vinyl upholstery is a match to the color and material and pattern found in actual 550 Spyders.

– Owner added aluminum brake drum covers and black anodized lug nuts

– As per the original cars, there are tan leather bonnet straps

– The vent slots are open not just painted black

– The battery box has been moved to the front as is proper in a 550 Spyder

– Proper style “Spyder” script has been fitted on both fenders as per original

– The correct fuel pumps fitted on all 550 Spyders were a pair made by Autopulse, an American company. They were located in the left side footwell, literally next to the drivers knee. Owner has sourced a set for this project. They are vintage 1950’s original Autopulse pumps with the correct manifolds and mounting brackets. He has cosmetically restored the set. As they are 6 volt, they will be used for visual authenticity only. Proper sets of Autopulse fuel pumps are seldom found in 550 recreations, because a complete set with the proper fittings are extremely expensive. The mounting plate for the pumps is fitted in the proper location.

– Also includes a 550 Spyder owners handbook with notations. This is a professionally done reprint owner had made from an original 550 Spyder manual

– Vintage-style Firestone bias ply tires are in great shape

– It’s been sitting in the owner’s garage since 2012. It’s been on the jack stands for the last couple of years so that the owner can work underneath it.

– Battery box has been relocated from the rear to the front (as per 550’s). However, a new set of battery cables and grounding wire will need to be run

– The 912 motor was running when it went in the car but has not been run in about 3 years (should start right up with proper starting procedure)

– A higher cranking amp battery will be needed

– Owner was working on the cable shift arrangement so that a 550 hand brake can be fit

– The re-connection of the cable shift unit in the new shift box (the current owner had Cable Shift fabricate a new shift box specifically for this car)

– Mount and connect the 550 style handbrake

– Mount the Autopulse fuel pumps and make up the lines (remember these pumps are not actually connected to the fuel system)

– Finish modifying the 912 steering hub to accept the 550 style banjo steering wheel

– Install the seats

– Put the black rubber floor matting down

– Change oil and drain (and refill) gas

– There are a few more finishing details that would be rather minor

The owner of this car is a long time exotic car collector and enthusiast. In fact, he is Pebble Beach Concours judge so it is clear that he has a very good eye for quality. He has been working to make this car stand out and be more like a “real” 550 Spyder vs. some of the other recreations on the market. I have sold at least 5-7 cars for this individual and they are always very well received by their new owner.

– A great 550 Spyder recreation with 912 Porsche motor

– Unique details that set this car off from others on the market

– A great project to complete for a mechanic or skilled tinkerer or for an enthusiast who knows a good mechanic

I have not personally inspected or photographed this unique car. I am relying on the pictures and description provided to me by the seller. I have known the seller for many years and he is a very astute collector and knows how to appreciate fine automobiles. This special 550 Spyder recreation is no exception.

I invite and encourage any interested party to inspect this car in Sonora, CA.

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