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 letting us learn more about you and your passion for design and cars. What kind of car do you currently drive and why exactly that one?”

Dennis : First of all, I would like to thank you for the interview request. Porsche has been with me since I was a child and I always enjoy exchanging ideas with like-minded people who value the automobile as a cultural asset and who themselves are passionate about it. I currently have a few Porsches in my garage, but one that particularly fascinates me. It is the 550 RS Spyder.

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

Dennis : The Porsche 550 Spyder is not a sports car. It is a thoroughbred racing car with road approval – and more than that, the 550 is simply THE icon of historic racing for me. Light, fast, pure. Four-cylinder air-cooled boxer mid-engine, 110 hp and over 200 km/h fast. No control units to help you when things get tricky. A windshield that reaches up to your chest at best. You feel the speed with all your senses. Just don't smile while driving, otherwise the flies will stick between your teeth. The lack of headrests, ABS or airbags force you to always drive with concentration and foresight.

In addition, the 550 is a total work of art that embodies building budgeting par excellence. A design approach that Porsche recognized very early on for vehicle design and, in my opinion, is still visibly integrated into the design process of current vehicles to this day. Honesty is the highest design maxim. For me, design MUST be authentic. Good design is as little design as possible, then it is timeless. No unnecessary elements that give the impression of dynamism or even aggression.

Swissvax : "Please describe a typical trip. How does it feel for you, what goes through your head?"

Dennis : The 550 Spyder accelerates my emotions. Anyone who has ever sat behind the wheel of a Porsche knows that it is a very special feeling. Porsche stands for pure and authentic driving pleasure. For goosebumps. It is not the destination that is important, but the route to get there. The 550 Spyder has been uncompromisingly dispensed with all the bells and whistles that are not directly conducive to sporty racing. The best thing for me are empty streets. It is worth getting up very early on a Sunday morning. The incredible morning atmosphere quickly makes you forget your warm and cozy bed. It is precisely these moments that make it worth driving and enjoying a Porsche. You should really get a Porsche prescribed by your doctor. It is better than most medicine. Pure wellness for body and soul.

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

Dennis : I actually hear the question "Is that a real one?" quite often, but usually because I'm unaware of the millions of euros that Spyders cost on the market. Driving a Porsche is not a status symbol for me. Driving is pure pleasure for me. That's why I would always choose a good tribute car over an original. The estimated price of an original 550 RS Spyder is between 5.5 and 7.2 million euros. You don't just drive one on public roads anymore. The fear of exposing this multi-million euro collector's item to the rough asphalt, exposing it to wear and tear or possible damage, greatly inhibits the pure driving pleasure. In my opinion, most "original" racing cars are no longer original anyway. Almost all parts were either replaced or modified during racing, or the vehicle was thoroughly restored in the last few decades. Originals are now only vehicles for collectors. What hardly anyone knows is that even at renowned historic races such as the Mille Miglia, some drivers drive 1:1 replicas of their real treasures so as not to destroy the original in the event of damage.

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

Dennis : As a boy from Weissach, my love of Porsche is practically genetic. Even as a child, I would ride my bike to Porsche's own test track after school to marvel at the latest racing cars and secret prototypes with wide eyes and to celebrate the sound of the engines. It was a great time. Back then, as children, we could sit on the barrier right next to the race track at the rear entrance to the sports department in Flacht until the security guards kindly asked us to stand one metre behind the barrier. Which we then usually did for the next 10 minutes until we were sitting on the barrier again. Many well-known racing drivers of that time tested the prototypes and racing cars and usually gave us autographs during the break, which we then took home like trophies.

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

Dennis : That is precisely the crucial question that everyone who wants to own a historic racing car has to ask themselves. For stamp collectors, the question does not arise. They are collectors. The stamp is stripped of its original function and from now on it serves purely as an object of display. I see things differently with racing cars. They are racing cars, they were designed to be driven and not just to be part of a collection.

Swissvax : "Which Porsche would you like to drive and why?"

Dennis : Definitely the Porsche 906, officially sold as the Carrera 6. Two-litre six-cylinder, for me that is the road racing machine of the 1960s par excellence. It was one of the last classic racing coupes with road approval. Extremely light like the 550 Spyder, and 280 km/h make it one of the most emotional racing cars next to the 550. The design of the Porsche 906 is also a total work of art for me.

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 really value is my Guards Red 3.3l 930 Turbo from 1981. The first super sports car from Porsche. It is also a big challenge to drive this 911 at the limit. The turbo punch is truly indescribable and addictive.

A very interesting fan base of younger enthusiasts is currently developing who share the passion for classic sports cars and who always arrange to meet up and go on trips quite spontaneously. No typical club bureaucracy, but rather a group of interesting people who pursue these emotions in a very informal and authentic way without any commercial ulterior motives. This creates many new friendships and sometimes very interesting contacts. The vehicles at such meetings are not status objects but emotional driving machines.

Swissvax : " What do you do for a living? "

Dennis : After graduating from high school, I actually wanted to study photography. To prepare, I completed a year of basic training as a photographer. After that, however, I decided to study design at university. While I was still studying, I worked independently in large agencies. After successfully completing my diploma, I founded an advertising agency with a partner, which we have now been running for 20 years.

Swissvax : " How did you come up with the idea for the 550 Spyder book and how do people react to it? "

Dennis : I initially only made the 550 Spyder book for myself and a few good friends. Pure passion. After a few posts on Instagram, more and more requests came in. So I decided to produce a small, exclusive edition for my followers. Orders from all over Europe, the States, Asia, Russia and Africa meant that the book was sold out within a few weeks. A very good friend from Ukraine then translated the book into Russian for me. There are currently a few copies available for the Russian market. I am currently planning to publish a new book about the fascination of the Porsche 550 Spyder and the Porsche 930 in the next few months.

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

Dennis : Since this year I have been the organizer of the first Gentleman's Drive in Stuttgart. It is a worldwide classic car event that aims to motivate people to dress up and drive and donate for men's health. All money raised goes to the Movember Foundation. This money is invested in important research and programs to fight prostate cancer and men's mental health in order to promote the well-being of men around the world. In the founding year of 2021, a quarter of a million dollars was already raised worldwide. I have already received confirmation from Schloss Solitude Stuttgart that I will host the event again next year. A great location - with a lot of historic racing history. The date for next year is September 25, 2022. I'm really looking forward to it.

Swissvax : “ What do you personally associate with Care for your Dream? ”

Dennis : For me, car care is actually a very intensive engagement with the vehicle. Details are explored and you really get to know and appreciate your vehicle. I usually celebrate car care two or three times a year very extensively with a lot of attention to detail. The visual care is very important to me and a way of showing appreciation for the vehicle. I am a big fan of Swissvax products because I have learned to appreciate the high quality and composition over the years. I really enjoy using products where everything just fits and the result is always above average. You can feel it, you can see it.

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