What is the nickname of the Porsche 550 Spyder?

The Porsche 550 Spyder was nicknamed the “Giant Killer.”

The name reflected the tiny Spyder’s remarkable ability to defeat larger and more powerful racing cars. Its mid-mounted, air-cooled flat-four engine was relatively modest in size, but the car combined low weight, compact dimensions, aerodynamic efficiency, and excellent handling. Those qualities made it dangerous competition for much bigger Ferrari, Jaguar, Maserati, and British sports-racing machines.

Porsche introduced the 550 for competition in the early 1950s, and customer versions soon became important ambassadors for the young sports-car company. The model competed successfully in events including the Carrera Panamericana, the Mille Miglia, the Nürburgring, and the Targa Florio. Approximately 90 examples were built, making surviving cars exceptionally collectible.

A common mix-up involves James Dean. He drove a Porsche 550 Spyder that he had nicknamed “Little Bastard,” but that was the name of his individual car, not the model’s general racing nickname. “Silver Arrow” is associated with other German racing traditions, not the 550 Spyder.