Discover the history of the iconic Porsche Spyder name (2024)

A history of the iconic Porsche Spyder name

The legendary open-top Porsche race and road cars that bear the historic Spyder name 15 September 2023

Discover the history of the iconic Porsche Spyder name (1)

For Porsche, the Spyder name is special. From debuting with the ground-breaking Porsche 550 racecar that won the Carrera Panamericana and Targa Florio to today’s record-breaking 718 Spyder RS, let’s go for a spin through Porsche history

There have been only a handful of cars that Porsche has handed the name ‘Spyder’ to – but such is the reverence that this name is held in by the brand, each car bearing the moniker always a special one. The recent unveiling of the 718 Boxster Spyder RS, in early 2023, means that it’s the perfect time to take a look back at 70 years of Porsche Spyder legacy.

The Porsche 550 Spyder – the first-ever Porsche Spyder

The one where it all began. One of the greatest Porsche models of all time, the Porsche 550 Spyder made its debut at the 1953 Paris Motor Show. Stylish, aerodynamic and astonishingly fast for its time, it was the first Porsche model purposely built with the racetrack in mind. And it delivered from the outset – so much so that it won the first race it entered, the 1953 Nürburgring Eifel. Such was its success on the track that the 550 Spyder quickly earned the nickname of The Giant Killer for its ability to beat bigger, more powerful racing cars.

Between 1953 to 1956 just 90 Porsche 550 Spyder racecars were built, but this limited number did not diminish the brand’s impact on the world of motorsport. After its triumph at the Nürburgring, the 550 model continued to impress with back-to-back victories at prestigious racing events like the Carrera Panamericana and the Targa Florio. It was particularly impressive at Le Mans, notching five class victories between 1953 and 1958.

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Evidence of the innovative engineering that went into developing the 550 Spyder – a trademark of Porsche, of course, since its earliest days – was everywhere. It sat low to the ground and weighed in at just 590kg for optimum racing efficiency. Its low-slung design came in handy during the 1954 Mille Miglia, when legendary German driver Hans Herrmann was famously forced to drive it under railway crossing gates as they were closing. The beating heart of the 550 Spyder was its air-cooled, four-cylinder boxer engine – known as the Fuhrmann engine – which delivered 110PS and had a top speed of almost 220km/h. For easier identification during the races, Porsche factory team cars were adorned with colourful spears on the rear wings, with Herrmann‘s ‘red tail’ car number 41 becoming a legend in its own right.

The Porsche 909 Bergspyder – the lightest-ever Porsche

A number of Spyder models immediately followed the 550 Spyder, like the 718 Spyder RS 60, which finished runner-up in the 1960 World Supercar Championship. Then, just over a decade later, along came a racecar that was compact in nature and yet whose design would have a significant influence on both Porsche racecars and sportscars to come – the Porsche 909 Bergspyder. When it made its debut in 1968, it was designed with a specific purpose in mind – to secure the top spot in the European Hillclimb Championship. Weighing in at an astonishingly light 384kg including oil and fuel, it remains the lightest car that Porsche has ever built.

In a sport where every second counts and the battle is against gravity itself, the lightweight construction of the Porsche 909 gave it a decisive edge, landing it second and third places in the 1968 European Hillclimb Championship. The 909 Bergspyder was powered by a Type 771 flat-eight engine that allowed it to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 2.4 seconds and reach top speeds of 250km/h. The engine, in combination with a pressurised titanium ball that delivered fuel to the engine instead of a heavier fuel pump, and the racecar’s lightweight fibre-glass body helped ensure that the 909 could navigate the sharp twists, turns and rapid ascents of hillclimb racing with unprecedented finesse.

Although its time in the spotlight was brief (only two units were ever built), the impact of the Porsche 909 Bergspyder cannot be underestimated. It demonstrated the ability of Porsche to innovate and adapt to specific racing disciplines. Furthermore, its focus on weight saving influenced future Porsche designs and underlined the importance of lightweight construction in racing. For example, it would spawn the 908/03 racecar, which in 1970 grabbed a famous one-two finish at the 1000km of Nürburgring. More recently, its colour and name also inspired the special edition Porsche Boxster Bergspyder in 2015.

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Why the 918 Spyder is one the great Porsche sportscars

When the Porsche 918 Spyder was launched in 2014, it had people reaching for the superlatives. With its lightweight construction, innovative hybrid power unit and incredible performance, it rewrote the rulebook for what a sportscar could be. Added to that, it boasted the kind of classic, head-turning looks that still look fresh almost a decade after it made its debut.

This was a car that was bursting with innovation – but if you’re going to start anywhere, there is no better place than its engine. The primary source of power for the 918 Spyder was a 4.6-litre V8 that delivered around 578PS of power and roared its way up to 9000rpm. This was twinned with a pair of electric motors – 115 kW electric motor on the rear axle and a 95 kW one on the front – that meant that the 918 Spyder could be powered at the rear axle both individually by the combustion engine or electric motor as well as jointly by both drives. This all translated into phenomenal performance, with a top speed of 345km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 2.6 seconds. Here was a car that featured cutting-edge engineering tech of the kind seen in Formula 1 but available for customers to drive on the road.

The monocoque structure of the 918 Spyder was made primarily from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic, ensuring both strength and lightness. The car‘s adaptive aerodynamics, which included an adjustable rear wing, provided optimum downforce in varying conditions, translating to incredible stability even at high speeds. Its roof panels were removable and could be stored in the front storage compartment, while an unmistakable feature is its heavily perforated engine compartment, with the engine’s top pipes exiting seemingly from the co*ckpit itself.

Although the 918 Spyder was a road car, its motorsport DNA was undeniable. It shattered records, notably on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, where it became the first production car with factory-fitted tyres to break the seven-minute barrier, clocking an incredible 6 minutes and 57 seconds at the hands of former Porsche factory team driver Marc Lieb in September 2013. This is a modern-day Porsche truly worthy of the Spyder name.

The most powerful Porsche mid-engined roadster ever: the 718 Spyder RS

Fast forward – very quickly – to 2023 and there’s a new Spyder in town. The 718 Spyder RS is the most powerful mid-engined, open-top Porsche sports car to date. Producing 500PS from its 4.0-litre, naturally aspirated engine – also seen in 911 GT3 Cup cars – it delivers 80PS more power than the 718 Spyder without the RS designation and, at 1410kg, it’s some 40kg lighter too. Its lightweight structure, firm but pliable suspension and significant reserves of grip make for exceptional handling. It loves nothing more than being taken out on twisting, undulating roads.

The 718 Spyder RS may be a road car but its DNA is pure Porsche Spyder racecar, where saving weight to enhance performance is key. You can see it in the striking carbon fibre-reinforced plastic slats and black air intakes, while the lightweight soft top – which can be used as a sunshade and weather protection – can be removed completely for an authentic roadster experience, helping to shave 8kg off the overall vehicle weight when the roof is left at home.

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Coupled with a seven-speed PDK gearbox, the roadster sprints from 0-100km/h in just 3.4 seconds and can reach a top speed of 308km/h. And just to underline its credentials, the 718 Spyder RS experience is enhanced by the unique, addictive tone produced by its stainless-steel sports exhaust system – especially when the roof is down in full Spyder mode.

Why is it called Porsche Spyder?

Like many automotive terms, this one goes back a long way. There are a number of theories as to the origin of the name ‘spider’ or ‘spyder’ when it comes to motoring. One of the more far-fetched ones is that it was the result of a misunderstanding – an Italian journalist once misheard the name of the Porsche 550 Speeder, leading to the misprint ‘Spider’. A more historical – and believable – explanation for its provenance is the Spider Phaeton carriages of the 18th century. These open-top, lightweight carriages featured large, spindly wheels that people said resembled the legs of an arachnid. With the advent of the motor car, the nomenclature was adopted by early car makers, who used many of the construction techniques in making carriages in this new technology. Today, both ‘spider’ and ‘spyder’ are used interchangeably for two-seater, open-top cars. The moniker ‘spyder‘, then, is a nod to the past – although for Porsche, it will continue to point to the future.

Consumption and emission information 718 Spyder RS (WLTP): Fuel consumption combined: 13,0 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 294 g/km; CO₂ class: G.

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FAQs

Discover the history of the iconic Porsche Spyder name? ›

There are a number of theories as to the origin of the name 'spider' or 'spyder' when it comes to motoring. One of the more far-fetched ones is that it was the result of a misunderstanding – an Italian journalist once misheard the name of the Porsche 550 Speeder, leading to the misprint 'Spider'.

What is the history of the Porsche 918 Spyder? ›

The 918 Spyder was first shown as a concept at the 80th Geneva Motor Show in March 2010. On 28 July 2010, after 2,000 declarations of interest, the supervisory board of Porsche AG approved series development of the 918 Spyder. The production version was unveiled at the September 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.

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What is the most famous Porsche in history? ›

911 • The Porsche sportscar that conquered the world

Of all the numbers that we associate with Porsche, 911 is undoubtedly the most famous – although the car on which its name first appeared initially started life as the 901.

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How many Porsche 550 Spyders exist? ›

Only 13 spyder-bodied prototypes were made (Chassis #550-03 and #550-15) until regular production began in 1954 of the Porsche RS Spyder. Given that only 90 Porsche 550 Spyder's were made, we decided to dive into each chassis and tell you a brief story about each variant and chassis number.

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What are the old models of Porsche Spyder? ›

Porsche Spyder Introduction

Originally debuting as the Porsche 550 Spyder, this car has been the pride and joy of Porsche enthusiasts for over sixty years. Throughout its history, the 718 Spyder has evolved from a variety of models, including the 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 912, 914, 924, 944, 968, and 981.

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Is the Porsche 918 Spyder rare? ›

Only 918 examples of the incredible 918 Spyder were ever made. This one is number 513. Additionally, approximately 300 918 Spyders were sold in the U.S., and just four were delivered to Hong Kong. Spotting one is a rare sight.

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What does spyder mean in cars? ›

Roadster, spider, spyder, or convertible - take your pick! The terms Spider and Spyder are used interchangeably nowadays. They are essentially two-seater cars with an open-top. Italian automakers generally use the term spider with an 'i'.

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What is the most desired old Porsche? ›

911 Carrera 3.2, 1984–1989

Arguably the most desirable classic 911 was launched in 1984 in all three body styles: coupe, Targa, and drop-top. At the end of the 3.2's run, 2103 Speedsters were made, which featured a shorter windshield and a unique top.

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What was Porsche originally called? ›

Ferdinand Porsche (1875–1951) founded the company called "Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche GmbH" with Adolf Rosenberger and Anton Piëch in 1931. The name is short for Ferdinand Porsche's full title in German, Doktor Ingenieur honoris causa lit.

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Why is Porsche called Spyder? ›

Spyder. Originally coming from the coach-making term for lightweight, open carriages for two people, the name 'Spyder' at Porsche is reserved for open-topped mid-engined sports cars, just like 'roadster'.

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What was the first Porsche Spyder? ›

The Porsche 550 Spyder – the first-ever Porsche Spyder

One of the greatest Porsche models of all time, the Porsche 550 Spyder made its debut at the 1953 Paris Motor Show. Stylish, aerodynamic and astonishingly fast for its time, it was the first Porsche model purposely built with the racetrack in mind.

Read On ›

What is the fastest Porsche Spyder? ›

Porsche 918 Spyder

The 918 Spyder paired a 4.6-litre V8 with twin electric motors (one on each axle) to give the driver a combined 899PS of power. Less than 1,000 were made – 918 (of course!) to be exact – but those lucky owners were able to experience a 0-100km/h time of just 2.6 seconds.

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What is the Widowmaker Porsche? ›

The 930 proved very fast but also very demanding to drive, and due to its short wheelbase and rear engine layout, was prone to oversteer and turbo-lag. It acquired the nickname "the Widowmaker" after several crashes and deaths attributed to its handling characteristics, which were unfamiliar to many drivers.

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What is the average price of a Porsche Spyder? ›

New 2023 Porsche 718 Spyder Pricing

	MSRP	KBB Fair Purchase Price (nat'l average)
718 Spyder	$106,200	$100,953

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What is so special about the Porsche 918? ›

What makes the Porsche 918 Spyder engine so special is the naturally aspirated 4.6L V8 engine that spits out 608 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque on its own.

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How much is a 918 Spyder worth? ›

The value of a used 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder ranges from $111,692 to $190,803, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options. Get a free appraisal here.

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How many Porsche 918 Spyders are there in the world? ›

With only 918 units produced, the Porsche 918 Spyder is truly a limited-production hypercar.

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What happened to the Porsche 918 Spyder? ›

Production of the 918 Spyder may have ended in 2015, but such was the impact it had on Porsche – and the way that sportscars were thought of in general – that it continues to influence Porsche cars of today. Hybrid and fully electric engines are now fixtures across the company's range.

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