Best known in the U.S. as James Dean’s fateful last ride, Porsche’s 550 Spyder was a formidable machine in its heyday. The successor to the original 356, the 550 was engineered to further Porsche’s status in the international racing community, and thus featured a more rigid frame, a lightweight, hand-built aluminum body and an engine mounted in the middle rather than the rear. Power output was modest at just 70 horsepower, but the overall package proved to be quite successful. Porsche 550s took home a one-two win at the car’s first ever race -- the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the car continued to dominate legendary events like the Carrera Panamericana.
