The hidden 'Little Bastard' concept is a homage means to James Dean

Modern CREATIONS It is well known that Porsche, a German sports car manufacturer, has a unique habit. Where they built a number of concept cars, but never shown to the public and displayed (if they feel the need to show) after some time saved.

Porsche 550ne Concept said to be the hidden 'Little Bastard' concept is a homage means to James Dean. (Picture from: CarZine.gr)

On an occasion at the end of 2020, the Stutgart-based automotive manufacturer had revealed 3 concept cars it had made in the past, such as the Porsche 919 Street Concept, the Porsche 551 'Little Rebel' Concept and the Porsche Vision Renndienst Concept. But the story was not over yet.

Porsche 551 Vision Spyder concept born in 2019 and also inspired of the legendary Porsche 550 Spyder. (Picture from: CarZine.gr)

Uniquely, shortly thereafter, in early 2021, a former Porsche designer named Walter De Silva also revealed a concept car that was built by the German manufacturer in 2008 called the Porsche 550ne "Little Bastard". The concept car has similar styles and looks with the next concept called Porsche 551 'Little Rebel' which born in the 2019 and also inspired by the 550 Spyder.

1955 Porsche 550 Spyder aka 'Little Bastard' was taken as the inspirationel source for the 2008 Porsche 550ne and 2019 Porsche 551 Vision Spyder concepts. (Picture from: CarZine.gr)

The one-off concept car is said to be inspired by the original design of the Porsche 550 Spyder which was once ridden by James Dean, a 1950s Hollywood's legendary actor. As we all know that the actor who has a hobby of car racing then passed away at the age of 24 in a tragic accident in 1955 while driving a Porsche 550 Spyder. And 'Little Bastard' is his nickname which is then written on the back of his Porsche 550 Spyder.

The man whose full name is James Byron Dean is an American actor who was born in Marion, Indiana on February 8, 1931. He is very famous in the 1950s thanks to his acting both on the screen, the Broadway theater stage, and on the big screen. Although his life journey was very short, he managed to become a legend to this day.

Porsche 550ne Concept has a simple cabin design, but still looks really cool with a pair of bucket-styled seats that are deliberately colored in the same way as James Dean's 550 Spyder. (Picture from: CarZine.gr)

Back to the Porsche 550ne concept which said never shown to the public for years before it was finally shown by Walter Da Silva through his personal social media account in three pictures, namely the front, rear and part of the interior.

Those three pictures were displayed by Da Silva along with a short caption stating that the prototype made in 2008 commissioned by the late Prof. Dr. Ing Ferdinand Piech (former CEO of Volkswagen Group) who died on August 25, 2019.

Furthermore, in the short caption Da Silva also stated that the Porsche 550one "Little Bastard" was designed by Porsche's designer team led by him and consisting of Peter Wauda, ​​Christian Felske, and Romi Rost.

Porsche 550ne Concept was designed back in 2008 by Porsche's designer team led by Walter Da Silva and consisting of Peter Wauda, ​​Christian Felske, and Romi Rost. (Picture from: CarZine.gr)

Although there is no official statement about the technical specifications. However, at first glance, it can be ascertained that this roofless concept car carries a typical Porsche's mid mounted boxer engine tending to the rear and has a rear wheel drive such as the inspiration source car, the 550 Spyder. This can be seen from the air inlet grille on the rear hood and on the side behind the door. 

The roofless sports concept car with a single exhaust hole is also equipped with a manual transmission as seen from the look of the shift stick and three pedals at the foot of the driver's compartment. The concept car also has a simple cabin design, but still looks really cool with a pair of bucket-styled seats that are deliberately colored in the same way as James Dean's Porsche 550 Spyder. There's a little difference, ie the 550ne concept featured with modern touch, although it does not leave a typical classic lines of the original Porsche 550 Spyder.

It is not known for what purpose this car was made. The public only thought that the concept car would be a monument to commemorate to the legendary actor James Dean. Unfortunately, the existence of this concept car is unknown, whether it still in the Porsche plant or not? No one knows.😔 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARZINE.GR ]

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