Porsche 550one: this is the prototype that aimed to revive the legendary Porsche 550 Spyder

When we think of Porsche, many positive adjectives may come to mind, but when we think of the Porsche 550 Spyder, a nickname and a sad story come to mind. This very model, more specifically a unit known as Little Bastard, was the one in which the acclaimed actor James Dean died. But this did not stop Ferdinand Piëch himself from requesting the creation of an interpretation of the Porsche 550 Spyder. Who was tasked with it? Designer Walter De Silva received the direct order to bring this project to life, which, unfortunately, never came to fruition.

It was in 2008 that De Silva created this prototype known as Porsche 550one, and after he retired he made it public on his Instagram. It is a model that combines everything a true sports car should have and, although we never saw a production version, the 550one is very faithful to a street car.

Aesthetically, we find several details that take us directly to the simple yet harmonious lines of the Porsche 550 Spyder. We notice these mainly in the rear of the 550one, featuring a central exhaust outlet, two teardrop-shaped taillights, side gills, and the central mid-engine layout, which is unmistakably inspired by its predecessor.

The front, on the other hand, displays features more typical of a Porsche 911 of that era. The cabin invites us into a formula that seems to tell us the Porsche 550one was a lightweight vehicle designed for purists. Minimalism shapes the layout of the few controls inside; the fabric door pulls point to its low weight, and its manual gear shifter was meant to give hope to a type of transmission that is disappearing.

The mechanical side is a mystery to us, but we do know this prototype of the Porsche shared many elements, such as the platform, with the Volkswagen BlueSport. It is true that the latter had a diesel engine, but its similar concept and approach lead us to bet on a turbocharged four-cylinder engine capable of producing a power output close to 200 hp, a figure that, combined with a weight flirting with 1,000 kilos, would deliver a breathtaking result.

Unfortunately, Porsche ultimately decided to shelve the concept in favor of vehicles it considered more profitable, such as the Porsche Macan. Without a doubt, it is a shame that the Porsche 550one never became a reality, but we will always have the hope that it happens in the future, albeit with certain nuances –ahem, electric-.