Today Porsche unveiled a trio of concept cars that the design department had built, but never saw the light of day. This one, the Porsche Vision Spyder, was assembled in 2019 with an eye toward the future of the brand. The design department wanted to try to define the design trends that the company should follow, while keeping an eye on the past of Porsche. This compact, lightweight, analog, open-top machine is right on the money, as far as I’m concerned. If it could come in under 2000 pounds with no roof and minimal flair, while keeping horsepower from a naturally aspirated four cylinder above 150 and pairing it with a tight and responsive 6-speed manual transmission, that would be just a spectacular recreation of the Porsches of yesteryear. Don’t you agree?
There aren’t many details about this car, and no mention of the powertrain leaves a lot to interpretation. It’s obvious that this concept clearly calls to mind the Porsche 550-1500 RS Spyder from 1954. That was an icon of the Porsche brand, and has only gained a reputation as a giant killer in the ensuing 6 decades. It’s pretty clear that Porsche’s designers were trying to give the car a cult classic look by calling to mind the 550 Spyder once owned by actor and amateur racer James Dean. While Porsche isn’t going to write “Lil’ Bastard” on one of its cars, Little Rebel is pretty close. It’s a not-so-subtle nod to the car that Dean died in when he was t-boned on his way to race. I wonder if it has Champion spark plugs.
As for the concept, I think it looks superb. Perhaps the wheels are a bit too large, but the rest of the car is almost exactly what I want from a modern Porsche. Who needs a roof? Who needs much more than time and two seats? Come on Porsche, put this one into production, there’s still time!
To find out more about this car and 14 other concepts Porsche never released, check out the book Porsche Unseen from Delius Klasing.
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"It's pretty clear that Porsche's designers were trying to give the car a cult classic look by calling to mind the 550 Spyder once owned by actor and amateur racer James Dean. While Porsche isn't going to write "Lil' Bastard" on one of its cars, Little Rebel is pretty close." Actually it's "Little Bastard" that Dean Jeffries painted on the rear tail section of 550-0055.
Interesting how Porsche Vision / Design Studios decided to use the name "Little Rebel" as code possibly for a new model Speedster/Spyder-type sports car .
As a James Dean historian and early Porsche 356/550 author...I personally know that Porsche, AG has always frowned on paying tribute to both James Dean and the Porsche 550 Spyder in the same breath....as Dean was killed driving a Spyder, nick-named, "Little Bastard" ( just nine days after purchasing it from Johnny von Neumann's Competition Motors in Hollywood) on September 30, 1955.
It took forty years after his death for Porsche, AG to finally use James Dean's name in Porsche print advertising. The first reference came when Porsche introduced the new TYP 986 Boxster late in 1996 for the 1997 production year.
This concept model combines the history of James Dean with early Cal Club racing in the 356 Speedster along with his intended use to race the 550 Spyder...by including the Mobilgas Pegasus decal positioned on the front fender, the provisional Cal Club racing number of 131 ( sic 130 ), and the livery used on the 550 Porsche...metallic silver with perhaps the yet to be painted red/ gold leaf tail stripes at Stuttgart.
Glad to see that Porsche Design Studios and AG have finally recognized that James Dean and the "Little Bastard" or "Little Rebel" have become synonymous...as being VERY COOL for the current and future generation of Porschephiles. James Dean and Porsche...Lives On!