2004 Porsche Boxster 550S 50th Anniversary Edition

Highlights

• Genuine 550S 50th Anniversary Edition 
• Over £6,000 recently spent
• Comprehensive history file
• Exclusive GT Silver
• Upgraded BOSE factory sound system

Overview

Porsche went on a bit of a special edition frenzy in the early 2000s with limited versions of the 911 popping up with alarming regularity, but the ultimate edition of the Boxster 986 was perhaps one of its more curious special creations, not least because it paid homage to one of the most incredible Porsches of all-time. 

Introduced in 2003, the Boxster 550S was an in-house tribute to the legendary Porsche 550 Spyder; a car spoken of in muted tones by the brand’s aficionados and immortalised by none other than Hollywood idol James Dean.

The association has made the Anniversary model one of the most collectable derivatives of the 986 Boxster, and rightly so as it’s quite a special thing. 

Limited to 1953 cars worldwide (see what they did there?) and based on the 986.2 3.2S, a total of 200 of them made their way into the UK. 

The standout feature was the GT Silver paint – a more brilliant shade than the standard Polar Silver hue and otherwise reserved for the Carrera GT, with a choice of a unique-to-the-model Cocoa Brown hood, with a matching brown interior, or a more mainstream black and grey colourway, as found on the example offered for sale here.

Other features unique to the model were Seal Grey 18-inch alloys with silver rims, plus silver-painted grilles in the rear quarter that echoed the iconic colour of the original 550. 

This one is a very tidy example that has seen a fair chunk of recent expenditure, including a recent invoice for over £6,000 spent with a reputable Porsche specialist in Leicestershire where it was treated to new belts, brake lines, radiators, coil packs, lower suspension arms and a full service including plugs, among other work.

While it’s not a concours example, it’s a great, usable and thoroughly enjoyable car that has just blasted the vendor to the Le Mans Classic and back – one of the reasons the seller bought the car in the first place when they acquired it last year.

But with that road trip ticked off the bucket list, it’s time for something a little more sensible, so the Boxster has to go. It’s the ideal example if you want a modern classic Porsche that you won’t be shy to use. 

History and documentation

• First registered on 15 April 2004 and supplied new by Porsche Centre Hatfield

• No 823 of 1953 made

• UK V5C in the current owner’s name

• MOT valid to 26 June, 2026 – passed with no advisory notices

• Four previous owners

• Porsche book pack, folder and manuals

• Two main keys plus valet key

• Recent invoice documenting over £6,000 in expenditure

• Service book stamped as follows: PDI (2004, main dealer), 8,840 miles (2006, main dealer); 22,704 miles (2007, main dealer); 22,837 miles (2009, main dealer); 35,599 miles (2009, main dealer); 54,220 miles (2012, independent); 76,167 miles (2017, independent); 76,771 miles (2024, independent)

• Original Porsche data/option codes in service book

• HPI clear

Interior

• Natural Dark Grey leather sports seats in good overall order, with electric adjustment

• Some very slight wear to driver’s side seat bolster

• Carpets and door cards in good order

• Two-stage heated seats

• Original spare wheel and tool kit

• Air conditioning 

• BOSE upgraded factory audio system

• Six-CD multichanger

• Factory sat nav

• Glass rear window

• Genuine Porsche mats

• Heated mirrors

• Cruise control

• Numbered build plaque on centre console

Exterior

• Original GT Silver paintwork in smart overall condition 

• Underside appears sound with some surface corrosion

• Original black electric hood in tidy condition, with a couple of small pulls and imperfections

• Xenon headlights and headlamp washers

• The boot lid has a small ding where in a past life it's been closed and something on the inside has been too high for the boot

• The driver side rear corner of the bumper has a couple of small grazes said to be only noticeable in certain lights

• The offside A-pillar has a small section of peeling lacquer and the driver’s door mirror has a small scrape

• The front bumper has a few stone chips

• Light surface corrosion at the bottom of both front wheel arches

• 18-inch Seal Grey alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero tyres all-round, wheels all recently refurbished and in great condition 

Mechanical

• 3.2-litre flat-six

• 262bhp

• 0-60mph in 5.8 secs

• Six-speed manual

• The specification includes M030 suspension which is 10mm lower than other the standard 986 set up

• Four-piston alloy brake calipers

• Recent £6,000 full service with belts, coil packs and plugs, less than 3,000 miles ago 

Summary

We’re big fans of the Porsche 986 Boxster, which is a car that offers a ridiculous amount of driving pleasure for a sensibly modest investment – even a standard example is a lot of fun, thanks to that lovely flat-six burble and terrific chassis balance.

The 550S, though, is very much the one to have. One of only 200 RHD UK cars, it’s arguably the most desirable special edition of the lot, and will be a sensible future investment as well as a good value, fun-to-drive modern classic. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Leicester.