A Special Tribute to a Legendary Race

Porsche has announced the third installment in its special edition series honoring the historic achievements at the Carrera Panamericana Mexico.
Named the “718 Spyder RS Panamericana Special,” this unique car draws inspiration from the legendary 550 Spyder that won its class at the 1954 Carrera Panamericana.

The graphic package on this special model closely follows the design of two cars Porsche unveiled a year ago, based on the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. Those cars, numbered 152 and 154, paid homage to the early editions of the Carrera Panamericana.

An Homage to the 1954 Class-Winning Car

This one-of-a-kind car is modeled after the 550 Spyder driven by Hans Herrmann in the 1954 Carrera Panamericana, which finished third overall and won its class. Over the grueling five-day, approximately 3,200 km race, Herrmann’s 1.5-liter engine machine came within just 87 minutes of Umberto Maglioli, who won in a Ferrari 375 Plus with a 5.0-liter V12 engine—a remarkable feat.

The 1954 race was the last Carrera Panamericana event. For Porsche, it was the most successful race since 1952. This event marked Porsche’s first use of the twin-cam 550 Spyder engine in competition. This engine later became known as the Carrera engine and influenced all subsequent Carrera models.

Recreating Nostalgic Elements for Today

Based on the modern 718 Spyder RS, this tribute car features silver paintwork matching the original bodywork. Nostalgic details are sprinkled throughout, including carmine red stripes on the rear fenders and the number 55 in yellow on the doors and engine cover.

Inside, red seats and a matching steering wheel create a striking contrast against the predominantly black cabin. The headrests are embroidered with “Carrera Panamericana,” while the left puddle lamp projects the Mexican flag and the right one displays the silhouette of the 550 Spyder—an intricate touch.

Additionally, thanks to a partnership with TAG Heuer, a renowned watchmaker and motorsport timekeeper, a large TAG Heuer logo adorns the front hood.

ポルシェとタグホイヤーが贈る至高のコラボ時計 – カレラ クロノ トゥールビヨン x ポルシェ パンアメリカーナ

Set to Appear at Auction

Unlike many Porsche special editions, the 718 Spyder RS Panamericana Special might be accessible to the general public—if they have the funds. Rather than being sold preferentially to long-time customers, this car is scheduled to be auctioned around 2025. Proceeds will be donated to nonprofit organizations in Latin America.

The true purpose of this project is to promote Porsche’s “Sonderwunsch” program. Originally a factory program from the late 1970s, it has been revived today to allow customers to design their own unique one-off models, which Porsche then builds.

Currently, Porsche Centers in the U.S. can arrange factory production tailored to individual customer requests for colors and materials. Owners can also send their existing cars back to the factory for recommissioning or one-off custom services, which are officially recognized. “Sonderwunsch” means “special request” in German. According to Porsche, common modern requests include leather cargo areas and multi-color exterior finishes.

The 718 Spyder RS Panamericana Special perfectly combines Porsche’s illustrious racing heritage with cutting-edge technology and the flexibility to meet customer needs. It will be fascinating to see what price it commands at auction and how much it boosts awareness of the Sonderwunsch program. The coming months will be worth watching closely.