Porsche
718 RSK Spyder

Why it matters

The 718 RSK succeeded the 550A as Porsche's front-line small-displacement sports racer, used both by the works and by customers. Only 35 were built, and the model laid the groundwork for Porsche's later 718-series spyders.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• Porsche 718 RSK Spyder (Wikimedia Commons: Porsche 718 RSK Spyder)
  Photo: Thesupermat · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Porsche 718 RSK Spyder (Wikimedia Commons: Porsche 718 RSK Spyder)
  Photo: Thesupermat · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Porsche 718 RSK Spyder (Wikimedia Commons: Porsche 718 RSK Spyder)
  Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Porsche 718 RSK Spyder (Wikimedia Commons: Porsche 718 RSK Spyder)
  Photo: Brian Snelson from Hockley, Essex, England · CC BY 2.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The RSK kept the Wendler-bodied spyder concept and the four-cam engine, now in Type 547/3 form with about 148 bhp at 8,000 rpm through a five-speed transaxle. It used four-wheel independent suspension, with trailing arms at the front and double wishbones at the rear, and finned alloy drum brakes. Customer cars raced widely in North America and the Caribbean, including Nassau, Cuba and Riverside.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The RSK uses a tubular space frame, a lightweight aluminium body by Wendler and the Type 547 four-cam engine in 1.5 and 1.6-litre forms. The name comes from the K-shaped layout of the early front torsion-bar tubes. Production covers only 34 cars between 1957 and 1959, and the first ten were prototypes used for development and works racing. Features that separate prototype and works cars include an experimental front-hood oil radiator and, on 718-006, double wishbone rear suspension with coil-overs, which was the first on a Porsche chassis. Wheels are 16 x 3.5 inch units with steel centres riveted to aluminium rims.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Time travel: The Porsche 718 Level A Porsche Newsroom · 2016-06-04

   • debuted in 1957 (34 cars made)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   1959 Porsche 718 RSK | Gooding & Company Level B

   • 35 718 RSKs built (Elferspot gives 24 customer cars)

   Accessed 2026-11-11
3. 3
   1959 Porsche 718 RSK (Scottsdale 2013, Lot 112) Level C Gooding & Company

   • Type 547/3
   • 1,498 cc DOHC Type 547/3 flat-four boxer
   • 1,498 cc DOHC Type 547/3
   • Twin Weber 46 IDM
   • 148 BHP at 8,000 RPM
   • 5-speed manual transaxle
   • Independent trailing arms with coil-over shock absorbers
   • Independent double wishbones with coil-over shock absorbers
   • Four-wheel finned alloy drum brakes

   Accessed 2026-11-12
4. 4
   1959 Porsche 718 RSK Spyder, chassis 718-031 Level C Bonhams · 2020-08-14

   • The 85mm cylinder bore made relatively huge intake and exhaust valves possible

   Accessed 2026-11-12
5. 5
   1959 Porsche 718 RSK Werks Spyder, chassis 718-006 (lot r0108) Level C RM Sotheby's

   • sprightly 82-inch wheelbase chassis
   • light weight (just 1,240 pounds)
   • top speeds approaching 160 mph

   Accessed 2026-11-12