Hedley Studios has created the Porsche 550 J, an officially licensed, electric reimagining of the Porsche 550 Spyder built to mark 75 years of Porsche Motorsport.
Limited to 250 examples and handcrafted in the UK, the 550 J combines a steel space-frame chassis with a carbon-fiber body, a fully electric 48-volt powertrain, and extensive personalization options.
The project grew out of a shared philosophy between the two companies around blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.
Deniz Keskin, Director of Brand Management and Partnerships at Porsche AG, said the original 550 Spyder embodies the pioneering spirit that has defined Porsche since its earliest days, and that the 550 J brings that story back to life for a new era.
The Car That Made Porsche’s Racing Reputation
The original 550 Spyder holds a significant place in Porsche history. At the grueling 1954 Carrera Panamericana, factory drivers Hans Herrmann and Jaroslav Juhan piloted two 550 Spyders across the race’s full 3,077-kilometer distance, locked in a close battle that Herrmann ultimately won by just 36 seconds after five days of racing.
The lightweight, mid-engined cars beat out far more powerful rivals to finish third and fourth overall while also winning their class — a result significant enough that Porsche has used the “Carrera” name on many of its sportiest models ever since.
Built at Roughly 80% Scale
The 550 J was handcrafted with extensive support from Porsche, including access to the company’s archives throughout development.
Measuring about 2.9 meters long and 1.2 meters wide — roughly 80% the size of the original — the two-seater runs on a fully electric 48-volt drivetrain producing about 8 kW in standard form or up to 16 kW with the optional RS Package, topping out around 80 km/h.
Aimed squarely at collectors and design enthusiasts rather than daily drivers, the car is not road legal.
Hedley Studios founder Ben Hedley described the original 550 Spyder as a milestone as Porsche’s first car built specifically for motorsport — fast, lightweight, driver-focused and defined by an honest design language — and said the goal with the 550 J was to preserve that spirit while making it relevant to a new generation.
Extensive Customization
Buyers can choose from a range of paint finishes spanning classic Porsche Silver to heritage-inspired blue, white, yellow and red liveries, with a Bespoke programme offering near-unlimited configuration across historic and contemporary colors and motorsport-inspired graphics.
Every 550 J is built by hand at Hedley Studios in Bicester, UK, and is available to order now.