Along Came a Spyder...

Encouraged by its racing success with lightweight aluminum coupes, in 1952 Porsche designed a pure race car - the Type 550/1500 RS.  It was the first car to carry the remarkable Carrera four-cam engine, which would race well into the 1960s.  In 1954, the last year of the epic Carrera Panamericana road race, nearly two thousand miles through the length of Mexico, Hans Herrmann drove 550-04, the car seen here to finish first in class and third overall behind a pair of 4.9 liter Ferraris.  Number 550-03 was fourth overall, less than a minute behind.  In honor of that race, the name Carrera has been applied to Porsche sports cars of outstanding performance, representing a proud part of the company's racing legacy.