Jack McAfee’s 550A Spyder: 70 Years of History Heading to Auction

Completed in February 1957 in Zuffenhausen, delivered three weeks later to a legendary Californian driver, victorious on the iconic circuits of the American West Coast, then traveling across continents before undergoing a six-year restoration—this collector’s piece now arrives at auction in Monaco with one of the most thoroughly documented histories in the Porsche world. She will go under the hammer on April 25, marking one of the key moments of the Monaco sale.

An Exceptional Historical Context

To understand what a 550A Spyder represents, one must go back to September 1955. James Dean lost his life behind the wheel of his 550, famously nicknamed “Little Bastard”, on a California highway.

Porsche, for its part, took the lessons of the original model and developed an evolved version: the 550A. By replacing the ladder chassis with a lighter and more rigid spaceframe, the result was clear—a car that was more efficient, more precise, and ultimately more formidable. And rare: only 40 examples were produced.

Jack McAfee: Twenty-Five Wins and a Californian Legend

Upon delivery in March 1957, the 550A was entrusted to Jack McAfee, a key figure in Californian motorsport.

At the time, McAfee was well accustomed to driving powerful yet temperamental Ferraris. But he quickly recognized what many had yet to fully grasp: the advantage of Porsche’s lightweight construction and balance on track. He had already claimed the 1956 SCCA Modified F title at the wheel of an ex-Works 550.

With chassis 0116, he wasted no time. In June 1957, the car made its competition debut at Paramount Ranch. Within two days, McAfee secured two victories. What followed were more than twenty-five race wins across the most prominent West Coast circuits—Palm Springs, Riverside, Pomona, Laguna Seca, and Phoenix.

A record that reflects the intensity and competitiveness of that era.

A Global Journey Before Restoration

After its racing career, the 550A began a new chapter, traveling across the world. From California to Washington State, then on to South Africa, Japan, and Germany, each stage added to its story through passionate ownership and careful preservation.

In the late 1980s, the car was acquired by Dick Barbour, a two-time class winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In the early 1990s, German specialist Freisinger Motorsport restored it to its period configuration.

In 2014, the car was presented at the prestigious Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, where it was awarded Best in Class for post-war race cars built before 1965—an accolade that speaks to both its authenticity and condition at the time.

From Andy Prill’s Workshop to the Monaco Auction

In 2019, the current owner entrusted the 550A to Andy Prill, one of the most respected Porsche specialists in the United Kingdom. The restoration lasted six years.

The bodywork was stripped and refinished, the engine rebuilt, and the matching-numbers gearbox carefully dismantled and reassembled. The original engine case has been preserved and will accompany the car at sale.

Prill describes the result as “box-fresh,” as if it had just left the factory. Barely driven since the completion of the restoration in August 2025, the car now heads directly to Monaco for auction.

RM Sotheby’s Monaco: Where Exceptional Cars Change Hands

What truly sets this example apart is the quality of its history. Few Porsches of this era present such a clearly documented journey, from its first owner to the present day.

Race archives, period photographs, technical documents, and a complete ownership record come together to form a remarkably coherent narrative. This continuity goes beyond preservation—it positions the car as a living piece of motorsport history.

Offered by RM Sotheby’s in Monaco, this Spyder is part of a selection where each car represents far more than performance or design. It embodies an entire chapter of Porsche’s legacy, ready to begin a new one.

Discover this Porsche 550A Spyder and follow the RM Sotheby’s Monaco auction.

Discover more auctions in our AUCTIONS section !