A rare 1957 Porsche 550A Spyder with a celebrated racing past is set to return to auction following an extensive restoration, drawing renewed attention from collectors and motorsport enthusiasts.
Known in its era as a “giant killer,” the lightweight Porsche gained prominence in the late 1950s while competing in Sports Car Club of America events across Southern California. Driven by Jack McAfee, the car consistently outperformed larger, more powerful competitors at circuits including Laguna Seca, Riverside, Palm Springs, and Santa Barbara. Its competitive run extended through multiple owners until 1962.
Chassis No. 0116 was originally delivered in March 1957 to McAfee’s Porsche dealership in Burbank, California. The 550A represented an evolution of the earlier RS 550 Spyder, featuring a lighter and more rigid spaceframe chassis, upgraded suspension and braking systems, and a 1.5-liter four-cam engine producing 135 horsepower. Weighing approximately 1,200 pounds and equipped with aerodynamic bodywork, the car was capable of reaching speeds near 150 mph.
After its racing career, the vehicle passed through collectors in South Africa before returning to the United States. It later joined the ownership of race team leader Dick Barbour and was eventually acquired in 1993 by Japanese collector Hui Takahara, who commissioned a restoration in Germany. The car reentered the U.S. in 2013 as part of the Alegra collection and earned Best in Class honors at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance the following year.
Following a 2018 auction sale of $4.9 million, the Porsche underwent a six-year restoration in England totaling more than 1,000 hours of work and nearly $400,000 in cost. The process included a complete structural overhaul, repaint, and mechanical rebuild.
The car also features a distinctive modification dating back to its racing days, when its rear bodywork was altered to allow engine access, a feature retained during restoration.
Now presented with extensive documentation and racing history, the Porsche is expected to attract strong interest when it heads to auction in Monaco during a major historic racing weekend.
John Lloyd 
Shawn Henry