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Chassis:
Delivered through Brumos Porsche, this 550A was acquired from the factory by SCCA Ernie Erickson from Chicago. While the car was delivered in silver, Erickson re-finished the 550A to his preferred light yellow. He first raced the car during the late 1957 Nassau Speed Week and would continue to do so through to the end of 1958. The next custodian was Frank Campbell, who also changed the colour, now to red. Like Erickson, Campbell also raced the car at Nassau. In April of 1959, it passed to Ted Baumgartner, who would continue its racing career. A year later, the 550A grabbed the attention of wealthy businessman Bob Wilke, who was also a successful Indy 500 entrant with his Leader Card team. He wanted to expand his operation, so bought the Porsche, which was painted in Leader Card colours. Among the races entered during the 1960 season was the Pikes Peak Hill Climb where Indy 500 Rodger Ward finished second.
The 550A was temporarily retired from racing by its next custodian, Bill Peters, who painted the car its original silver again. It was raced again after it changed hands once more this return to the tracks was brief. Among the subsequent owners were not collectors George Barber Jr and Gerry Sutterfield. During the mid-1980s, the car was repatriated by German enthusiast Dr Wolf Zweifler. he had the car comprehensively restored by Porsche specialists. In 2001, it was sold at an auction in Monaco and joined a prominent Spanish collection. After two decades, the long term owner decided to part with the car and consigned it to the 2021 Artcurial Paris sale. The car is reportedly in very original condition with as many as 90% of the rivets still remaining authentic despite the long competition career.
| Chassis details |
| Manufactured in |
1957 |
| Engine number |
90 111 |
| First owner |
Ernie Erickson |
| Appearances |
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| Most recent auction(s) |
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