Just Like James Dean’s! Ultra-Rare $4 Million 1956 Porsche 550RS Spyder to Hit Auction Block – World Art News

BY JEREMY BROWN

On October 6, automotive enthusiasts and collectors will turn their attention to the Bonhams|Cars Zoute Sale in Knokke-Heist, Belgium, where a true gem of racing history will be up for auction: the ex-‘ECURIE NATIONALE BELGE’ 1956 Porsche 550RS Spyder, Chassis 550-0082, just like the one that once belonged to Hollywood legend James Dean.

While this iconic vehicle, with a storied past on European racing circuits, has no direct connection to the American actor who tragically lost his life in a similar model, it is still expected to fetch between €3,500,000 and €4,000,000, reaffirming its status as one of the most expensive classic sports cars in the world.

Chassis no. 550-0082, the ninth of its kind, was completed in March 1956. It was initially ordered by Porsche’s Belgian distributor, D’Ieteren Frères, and delivered in Belgium’s distinctive racing color, yellow, to the Ecurie Nationale Belge. This team was born from the 1955 merger of Jacques Swaters’ Ecurie Francorchamps and Johnny Claes’ Ecurie Belge, both prominent names in the racing world.

The car’s racing pedigree is impressive, having been driven by some of Belgium’s most notable amateur racers, including Claude Dubois, Christian Goethals, and the celebrated female competitor Gilberte Thirion. In the 1956 season, it secured multiple podium finishes, most notably a class victory at the 1000 km of Paris at Montlhéry, where it finished just 20 seconds behind racing legends Phil Hill and Alfonso de Portago in a Ferrari 857 S. The following year, the car participated in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of only ten 550 Spyders to compete in this iconic race.

Now offered in fully restored condition, the car comes with an extensive history file, including period documentation, making it not just a collector’s item but a tangible piece of racing history. Its eligibility for events like the Le Mans Classic and the Mille Miglia adds to its allure.

Adding to the mystique of the Porsche 550RS Spyder is its association with Hollywood legend James Dean, who tragically lost his life in a similar model in 1955. Dean’s Porsche 550 Spyder, famously nicknamed “Little Bastard,” became an integral part of his rebellious image. The car was customized with the number 130 on the front hood and sides, and the nickname painted on the rear, capturing the spirit of a young actor who was already an icon of 1950s American cinema.

Dean’s death on September 30, 1955, in a head-on collision near Cholame, California, shocked the world. At just 24 years old, he had starred in only three films—East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant—but had already become a symbol of youthful defiance and angst. His untimely demise in the 550 Spyder added an eerie, almost mythic quality to both his legacy and the car itself.

While the car being auctioned at Bonhams is not Dean’s ill-fated vehicle, the connection between the Porsche 550 Spyder and James Dean adds an extra layer of fascination for collectors and enthusiasts alike. It’s a reminder of the car’s role not just in racing history but in the broader cultural consciousness.

Philip Kantor, International Chairman of Bonhams Cars, expressed his excitement about the upcoming auction: “Our team is genuinely thrilled to bring such a significant piece of Belgian racing heritage to the public eye. The opportunity to showcase this remarkable vehicle in front of its home crowd for the first time is truly a special occasion for us.”

The Bonhams|Cars Zoute Sale promises to be a significant event, where this rare and historic Porsche 550RS Spyder will undoubtedly be one of the most sought-after lots.

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