550-0016 entered production in September 1954 as the first customer car built by Wendler on its own frame, requiring significant development of tooling and production techniques. Despite three additional bodies in production by December, it wasn’t completed until 20th January 1955, becoming the third car delivered, five days after 550-0018. It was fitted with the latest 1,498cc Type 547 quad cam engine, beginning the new numbering sequence at 90001.

Finished in white with blue darts along its rounded rear fenders and a blue vinyl interior, the car carried the standard Porsche crests alongside two new badges: the Wendler coachbuilder teardrop on each door sill, and the gold-script “spyder” nameplate on each front quarter panel. Notably, 550-0016’s spyder script left the factory at an irregular angle — all other 550s had it positioned horizontally.

Chassis #550-0016 has a documented race and ownership history that has been researched and verified through primary sources. Accurate provenance information for this car is available upon enquiry through the contact page.