Dennis Berger – Cares for his dream Porsche 550 Spyder

Dennis Berger – Cares for his dream Porsche 550 Spyder

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It’s not just a racing car! It’s art!

Swissvax: “Dennis, thank you for sharing more about you and your passion for design and cars. What kind of car are you currently driving and why that one?”

Dennis: First of all, I want to thank you for the interview request. The topic of Porsche has been with me since childhood, and I always love exchanging ideas with like-minded people who appreciate the cultural asset that is the automobile and share the same passion. I currently have several Porsches in the garage, but one stands out for me. It’s the 550 RS Spyder.

Swissvax: "What fascinates you about the 550 Spyder?"

Dennis: The Porsche 550 Spyder is not a sports car. It’s a thoroughbred racing car with street approval – and more than that, the 550 is simply THE icon of historical motorsport for me. Light, fast, pure. Four-cylinder air-cooled boxer engine, 110 horsepower, and over 200 km/h top speed. No electronic control units helping you when it gets tough. A windshield that at best goes up to your chest. You feel the speed with all your senses. Just don’t smile during the ride, otherwise, the flies will stick between your teeth. No headrests, no ABS, or airbags forces you to always drive concentrated and in anticipation of what’s coming next.

Additionally, the 550 is a complete work of art that embodies the Bauhaus philosophy par excellence. A design approach that Porsche recognized early on for vehicle design and, in my view, has been visibly integrated into the design process of current vehicles to this day. Honesty as the highest design maxim. Design MUST be authentic for me. Good design is as little design as possible, and that makes it timeless. No unnecessary elements that pretend to give it dynamism or even aggression.

Swissvax: "Describe a typical drive. How does it feel for you, and what goes through your mind?”

Dennis: The 550 Spyder accelerates my emotions. Anyone who has ever been behind the wheel of a Porsche knows: It’s a very special feeling. Porsche stands for pure and authentic driving pleasure. For goosebumps. It’s not the destination that matters, but the journey there. With the 550 Spyder, all unnecessary frills were omitted that do not directly contribute to the sporty driving experience. The best thing for me is empty roads. It’s definitely worth waking up early on a Sunday morning. The incredible morning mood makes you quickly forget the warm and cozy bed. These are exactly the moments that make driving and enjoying a Porsche worthwhile. Actually, Porsche should be prescribed by the doctor. It’s better than most medicines. Pure wellness for body and soul.

Swissvax: "Do you often get asked if it's a real 550 Spyder?"

Dennis: In fact, I get asked “Is that the real thing?” quite often, mostly due to ignorance about the million-dollar market price of the Spyder. Generally, driving a Porsche is not a status symbol for me. Driving itself is pure enjoyment. That’s why I would always prefer a good tribute car over an original. The estimated price for an original 550 RS Spyder is between 5.5 and 7.2 million euros. You don’t just take that out on public roads. The fear of exposing this multi-million-euro collector’s item to rough asphalt, subjecting it to wear and potential damage, greatly hinders the pure joy of driving. Most “original” race cars, in my opinion, are no longer original anyway. Almost all parts were either replaced during racing use back then, modified, or the vehicle has been fundamentally restored over the past decades. Originals today are just vehicles for collectors. What hardly anyone knows is that even at prestigious historical races like the Mille Miglia, some drivers use 1:1 replicas of their genuine treasures to avoid damaging the original in case of an accident.

 

Swissvax: "You grew up in Weissach – what was your childhood like?”

Dennis: As a Weissach boy, my love for Porsche is almost genetically programmed. Even as a child, I would ride my bike after school to the Porsche test track to marvel with wide eyes at the latest race cars and secret prototypes, celebrating the sound of their engines. It was a great time. Back then, we as children could sit directly by the racetrack at the rear entrance of the sports department in Flacht, until the security would kindly ask us to move back a meter. We usually obeyed, but only for the next 10 minutes, after which we were sitting back on the barrier again. Many renowned race car drivers of that time tested the prototypes and race cars and usually gave us autographs during their break, which we carried home like trophies.

Swissvax: "Are you a driver or a collector?”

Dennis: That’s the crucial question that anyone who wants to own a historic race car has to ask themselves. Stamp collectors don’t ask this question. They are collectors. The brand loses its original function, and it then serves purely as an exhibit. When it comes to race cars, I see it differently. These are race cars, they were built to be driven and not to be part of a collection.

Swissvax: “Which Porsche would you still like to drive and why?”

Dennis: Clearly, the Porsche 906, officially sold as the Carrera 6. A two-liter six-cylinder engine, for me, is the ultimate street racing machine of the 1960s. It was one of the last classic race coupes with street approval. Extremely light like the 550 Spyder, and 280 km/h make it undoubtedly one of the most emotional race cars next to the 550. Also, the design of the Porsche 906 is, in my eyes, a complete work of art.

Swissvax: "How much time do you spend with your Porsche?”

Dennis: A lot, and not just with the 550 Spyder. Another model in my collection that I truly value is my India red 3.3l 930 Turbo from 1981. The first super sports car from Porsche. It’s also a huge challenge to drive this 911 to the limit. The turbo punch is indescribable and addictive.

Additionally, there’s a very interesting fan base developing around younger enthusiasts who share the passion for classic sports cars, where you can spontaneously arrange meetups and drives. It’s not your typical club or association, but more a gathering of interesting people who pursue this passion in a very relaxed and authentic way, without commercial motives. This has led to many new friendships and, in some cases, some very interesting contacts. The cars at these meetups are not status symbols but emotional driving machines.

Swissvax: “What do you do for a living?”

Dennis: After graduating from high school, I originally wanted to study photography. To prepare, I did a year-long internship as a photographer. However, I decided to pursue a design degree at university instead. Even during my studies, I worked independently for large agencies. After completing my degree, I founded an advertising agency with a partner, and we have now been running it for 20 years.

Swissvax: “How did you come up with the idea for the 550 Spyder book, and how has it been received by people?”

Dennis: The 550 Spyder book was initially created for myself and a few close friends. Pure passion. After some Instagram posts, more and more inquiries came in. So I decided to produce a small exclusive edition for my followers. Orders came in from all over Europe, the States, Asia, Russia, and Africa, and within a few weeks, the book was sold out. A very good friend from Ukraine then translated the book into Russian. There are still a few copies available for the Russian market. I am currently planning a new book about the fascination with the Porsche 550 Spyder and the Porsche 930.

Swissvax: “You have your own event for gentlemen – tell us more about that!"

Dennis: Since this year, I have been the organizer of the first Gentleman’s Drive in Stuttgart. It’s a worldwide classic car event designed to encourage people to dress stylishly, drive for men’s health, and raise donations. All the funds go to the Movember Foundation. This money is invested in important research and programs to fight prostate cancer and improve the mental health of men, promoting their well-being worldwide. In its founding year 2021, we raised a quarter of a million dollars worldwide. I have already received confirmation for next year’s event at Schloss Solitude in Stuttgart. It’s a fantastic venue with a lot of racing history. The date for next year is September 25, 2022. I’m really looking forward to it.

Swissvax: “What does "Care for your Dream" mean to you personally?"

Dennis: For me, car care is an intense process of engaging with the car. You explore the details and get to know and appreciate your car. Typically, two to three times a year, I celebrate the car care process with great attention to detail. The visual care is very important to me and is a sign of respect for the vehicle. I am a big fan of Swissvax products because I’ve come to appreciate the high quality and composition over the years. It’s a great pleasure to use products where everything just works, and the result is always above average. You can feel it, you can see it.

 


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