A rare Porsche 550A from 1958 was snapped up at Bonhams’ Scottsdale Auction earlier this year. With its impeccable racing pedigree and well-documented provenance, the vintage sports car was a top attraction at the event.

Built in 1958 as the penultimate model of a limited 40-car release, this Porsche was first purchased by Dutch nobleman, Count Carel Godin de Beaufort. Under his ownership, it scored a class win and was sixth overall at the Nürburgring 1000 Kilometers. It also proved its mettle at the grueling Le Mans 24 Hours race, placing second in class and fifth overall.

These victories marked the beginning of a prodigious and long-lived racing career that continued well into the 21st century, and spanned both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Most recently, the 550A participated in ten consecutive Mille Miglia races in Italy.

When it went under the hammer, this rare Porsche 550A was smartly outfitted in its historic #32 livery from the 1958 Le Mans. Under the hood lay a period-accurate engine and a 4-speed gearbox. Given its impressive provenance and near-mint condition, it came as no surprise that the vintage sports car fetched a final price of US$5.17 million.