Porsche has spent 2026 celebrating 75 years of its motorsport program, and the festivities have mostly involved museum exhibits and a few obligatory commemorative 911s (not that we’re complaining). But, this one’s just abit different.
Back in 1954, a pair of tiny 1.5-liter 550 Spyders embarrassed far bigger machinery at the Carrera Panamericana, finishing third and fourth overall, winning their class, and gifting Porsche the “Carrera” name it still stamps on cars today. And now that giant-killer is back in production, sort of, as the Porsche 550 J, an officially licensed 80 percent scale EV from Hedley Studios.
Half the Volume, All the Homework
Shrinking a car to 80 percent might sound simple on paper, but it’s actually quite the challenge. Linear scale at four-fifths leaves roughly half the original volume to package two adults, a chassis, and a battery pack. To accomplish this task, Hedley Studios (the Bicester, England outfit formerly known as The Little Car Company) spent three years working from original drawings in Porsche’s corporate archives and a 3D scan of an actual 550.
The result comprises over 1,300 bespoke components, with a steel spaceframe modeled on the later 550 A underneath and hand-formed carbon fiber bodywork on top. Even the cream banjo steering wheel had to be recreated from scratch, a process that took several months on its own.
Real Hardware, No License Plate
In place of the legendary four-cam boxer sits a 48-volt electric powertrain, with the batteries packaged right where the engine used to live to preserve that mid-engined balance. Standard cars make 11 horsepower, good for 40 mph and about 30 miles of range in a featherweight 728-pound package.
There’s also an optional RS Pack as well if you’re looking for a bit more performance. Output roughly doubles to 21 horsepower, top speed climbs to 50 mph, range stretches to 50 miles, and adjustable Bilstein dampers join drilled Brembo discs. Just don’t ask about a license plate because unfortunately, the 550 J isn’t road legal anywhere.
Spec Sheet
Model: Porsche 550 J by Hedley Studios
Scale: 80% (9.5 ft long, 4 ft wide)
Chassis: Steel spaceframe
Body: Carbon fiber
Powertrain: 48-volt electric
Power: 11 HP (21 HP w/ RS Pack)
Top Speed: 40 MPH (50 MPH w/ RS Pack)
Range: 30 miles (50 miles w/ RS Pack)
Weight: 728 LBs
Road Legal: No
Limited Edition: Yes, 250
Pricing & Availability
Limited to just 250 examples worldwide, the Porsche 550 J starts at £69,500 (~$93,800) before taxes, with deliveries kicking off in spring 2027. Head over to Hedley Studios’ website to configure yours.
Recap
2026 Porsche 550 J by Hedley Studios
Limited to 250 examples, the 550 J is an officially licensed, 80 percent scale electric take on Porsche’s giant-killing 550 Spyder, complete with a carbon body, and Brembo brakes.
