Electric Porsche 550 J Puts That James Dean Daydream Look In Your EyeForbesAlistair Charlton, Senior ContributorTue, September 15, 2026 at 3:00 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleThe Porsche 550 J is an 80 percent scale replica of the 550 SpyderHedley StudiosApologies for the Taylor Swift lyric, but when a Porsche 550 lands in a millennial's inbox, there's really nowhere else to go – and this isn't just any 550, it's a scaled-down electric car from Hedley Studios.You may recall that name – and formerly The Little Car Company – as the British firm behind a fleet of electric, scaled-down replicas of iconic cars, including the Bugatti Type 35, Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa and Bentley Blower.Now Hedley Studios is back with perhaps its most rakish creation yet. Called the Porsche 550 J, this is an all-electric, 80-percent scale reinterpretation of Porsche's first purpose-built racing car, the 550 Spyder from 1953. Famously owned by Hollywood star James Dean, the 550 Spyder was a mid-engined sports racer that evolved from the Porsche 356 and kicked off a lineage that achieved success at Le Mans, the Nurburgring and the Targa Florio.Powered by an electric motor, the 550 J has a range of up to 50 miles and a 50 mph top speed with the optional RS PackFast-forward more than half a century, and the 550 J is a recreational vehicle designed to accommodate two adults and be driven on private roads and circuits. In standard form it's powered by an 8 kW (11 bhp) 48-volt motor and lithium-ion battery. The top speed is 40 mph and the range is up to 30 miles.AdvertisementAdvertisementOr, go for the optional RS Pack and power is doubled to 16 kW, range is upped to 50 miles and the top speed increases to 50 mph – which I suspect feels significantly quicker, given the shallow windscreen and lack of side windows. The RS Pack also includes drilled brake discs and adjustable Bilstein dampers.Officially recognized by Porsche – and designed with input from the company's corporate archives – the 550 J is built on a light but stiff tubular spaceframe chassis. Its body is made of carbon fibre and the shape of each panel faithfully recreates the aluminum original, thanks to the use of 3D scans of cars from Porsche's own museum.The interior features a wood-rimmed steering wheel from Nardi, and a choke lever repurposed as a drive mode selectorContemporary modifications include the car's coilover dampers, Eibach springs, Brembo brakes and tires from Continental. Hedley Studios says more than 1,300 new components were designed and manufactured for the 550 J, including wheels, suspension, switchgear and an authentic Porsche chassis plate.Prices start at £69,500 ($93,600) plus local taxes, and orders can be placed now. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the spring of 2027.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat's just the starting point though, and customization stretches far beyond choosing the RS Pack. Hedley Studios says it's unlikely that any two of the planned 250 examples will be the same. Historically appropriate race liveries are available, along with a full suite of Paint to Sample options – just like those offered to buyers of full-sized Porsches.Handbuilt in the UK, the car measures 2.9m long, 1.2m wide and 0.8m tall (114 x 47 x 31.5 inches), and weighs approximately 330 kg (728 lbs). The interior is designed to look just like that of the original car, but with its dials modified for the 550 J's electric drivetrain.Porsche's Paint to Sample service is available, plus a selection of historically appropriate race liveries, ensuring no two examples will look the same.Details include a wood-rimmed steering wheel from Nardi, which also supplied the original 550's wheel, and a charge port hidden beneath a replica fuel filler cap in the hood. A battery charge meter takes the place of the fuel gauge, while the original car's manual choke lever is repurposed as the 550 J's drive mode selector.Ben Hedley, founder of Hedley Studios, said, "Creating the Porsche 550 J would have been impossible without the partnership and trust of Porsche themselves, and working directly with their experts in Stuttgart gave us access to the original DNA of this icon."AdvertisementAdvertisementDeniz Keskin, director of brand management and partnerships at Porsche said, "The Porsche 550 Spyder is far more than a legendary sports car. It embodies the pioneering spirit, innovative strength and passion that have defined Porsche from the brand's earliest days to the present. The Porsche 550 J celebrates this unique heritage and brings the story of one of the most significant sports cars in our company's history back to life in a contemporary and inspiring way."This article was originally published on Forbes.com
