Hedley Studios' latest recreation is here, and this time it's the iconic Porsche 550. John Marcar was invited to drive the new model at the Porsche Experience Centre in Silverstone.
I've been slightly obsessed with Hedley Studios creations ever since the brand launched as The Little Car Co back in 2019. Since day one, Ben Hedley and his team have produced officially licensed, perfectly miniaturised recreations of automotive design classics for a discerning global clientele.
The Bugatti Baby was the first creation, followed by the Aston Martin DB5J. The Ferrari Testa Rossa J came next, and then the Bentley Blower Jnr, which, unlike its predecessors, can be legally road-registered as a quadricycle.
I sat down with Ben Hedley earlier this year when he featured as a guest on The Driven Podcast. During the interview, I was politely asked if I fancied signing an NDA to take a sneak peek at the next project; of course, I said yes, and what I saw has now been unveiled to the world.
The Hedley Studios Porsche 550J
The 550J is Hedley's latest car, and like all that have come before, it's an absolute stunner. Like all previous models, the 550J is an officially licenced Porsche, making it one of the most affordable 'new' Porsches money can buy.
The 550J (J for junior) is built to celebrate the 1950s classic Porsche icon. The original 550 is a Porsche steeped in history. Motorsport circles nicknamed it the 'giant killer' for beating larger-capacity racing cars in competition. The 550 also won class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Nürburgring, and the Carrera Panamericana, and claimed an overall win at the Targa Florio (albeit in an evolved 550A space-frame).
The 550 is also synonymous with film star James Dean, who nicknamed his own 550 'Little Bastard', a name that would prove painfully fitting in 1955.
Size, Weight and Materials
Hedley's 550J is a perfect 80% scale recreation of the original car, yet still large enough to accommodate two adults. The original 550 body was made from Aluminium, but Hedley opted for carbon fibre instead. The carbon shell offers the perfect balance of lightweight strength, with no risk of damage to body panels when climbing in or out. At 2.9m long, 1.2m wide and 0.8m tall, the 550J epitomises fun-sized, Porsche-badged motoring.
Beneath the carbon bodywork sits a 48-volt powertrain and battery pack, plus an 8kW motor that delivers 11 bhp to the rear wheels. For more power, an optional RS pack doubles the battery capacity and boosts output to 16kW (21 hp).
The 1.8 kWh lithium-ion batteries are installed against the bulkhead for better weight distribution and handling. Brembo brakes are fitted as standard, and the suspension includes trick parts like Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers for a sporty driving experience. Around 1300 individual components went into creating the 550J, including an optional scaled-down banjo steering wheel to match the original cars' interface.
When choosing upholstery, buyers can select from multiple optional interior materials, including Nappa leather, Alcantara, and, of course, the iconic Pepita-inspired 'houndstooth' material.
Prices and Options
Prior to any optional extras being chosen, the 550J starts at £69,500 + local taxes. For an additional £9,500 + taxes, buyers can opt for the RS pack, which unlocks the full 21 hp and a top speed of 50mph. As standard, the 550J comes in Porsche's Fine Silver; however, buyers can specify eight optional colours, including Traffic Yellow, Traffic Red, Capri Blue and White, all of which sit in Porsche's Historic colour range. Additionally, Jet Black Metallic, Oak Green Metallic Neo, Gentian Blue Metallic and GT Silver are options from Porsche's Contemporary Colour Range. And for those wanting to go the extra mile, Porsche's coveted PTS (paint to sample) option can also be specified to create something truly unique.
Then there are the optional extras, and in typical Porsche fashion, there are plenty to choose from. From exposed carbon fibre bonnets to Aero Cowls and Tonneau covers, the list is vast, letting buyers create something unique.
Limited to 250 models, and once they're sold - that's it.
Only 250 versions of the 550J will ever be built by hand here in England, after which the moulds will be destroyed by the factory in Bicester. It really is a case of 'once they're gone, they're gone', making the 550J a true collector's item.
A Toy or Not?
The 550J, like all Hedley Studios recreations, is designed to be enjoyed by adults. Case in point: me, I'm 6'1/186cm, and I managed to slip into the 550J with relative ease and comfort. The steering wheel is detachable too, which makes the process easier for those with longer legs.
So is it a toy or not? Hedley Studios cars aren't toys in the conventional sense. In fact, that's partly why the company changed its name from The Little Car Company in 2024. However, should a child catch sight of the 550J, persuading them not to climb aboard and have a go will almost certainly prove to be a character-building exercise for everyone involved. Fortunately, for those parents brave (or trusting) enough to hand over the keys to their new drivable work of art, there's a reduced-power setting to help keep the excitement under control.
What's it like to Drive?
For my test, I was invited to the Porsche Experience Centre within the Silverstone Circuit grounds to experience the new model on a dedicated test track.
Once inside the 550J, you can't help but smile; you instantly become a cartoon-like car-to-driver combo that even James Dean would struggle to pull off, but that's okay, because it's less about looking the part and more about having some serious fun.
I drove both variants of the 550J (standard and RS), and both rewarded a truly joyous driving experience. The RS packs more initial punch, but standard-model buyers are unlikely to feel undersold. Both models accelerate with an infectious whine from the electric motor and reach 30+ mph with ease. Weighing around 330kg, plus another 90kg of me, 12bhp feels about as much fun as you'd want in a car this size and with the wind blasting into your face, hiding the inevitable growing grin is all but impossible.
To add to the fun, the 550J runs Continental-branded tyres which were originally designed for the Renault Twizy. The tyre design and compound allow for movement on the road, and whilst that might sound unsettling, it was actually a safety feature to stop the little Renault from toppling over on Parisian street corners. With the same rubber on the 550J, the tyres offer a playful level of grip and enhance the overall experience with the occasional ambitious slip and slide on a damp corner.
The interior layout is superb and matches the original car's layout perfectly, with downscaled gauges, switches, and mirrors. Everything works too, from headlights and indicators to the horn and handbrake; the 550J is every bit as much a car as the full-size model it recreates.
Fully charged, the 550J delivers around 30 miles of range, which is more than enough for occasional play in a day or a quick distracting jaunt around the office car park. Can you think of a better way to separate the tedium of back-to-back meetings and calls?
The Verdict: Who Buys a £70,000 Miniature Porsche?
The Hedley Studios Porsche 550J is for those who can. Very few are likely to buy a Hedley Studios recreation for the practicality or usability. They're purchased by people who see the joy in owning something that's unique to them, something that's utterly beautiful to look at, and truly special to drive.
words by John Marcar
photography thanks to Hedley Studios
