Porsche mulling a re-issue of James Dean's 550 Spyder: boss

German luxury sportscar maker Porsche is mulling a reissue of the iconic 550 Spyder model owned by US actor James Dean, boss Matthias Mueller said on Thursday in the business daily Handelsblatt.

"I can well imagine that a modern version of James Dean's famous Porsche would please our clients," Mueller said. "I am fascinated by the idea of reviving this technical legend."

The 550 Spyder was built between 1953 and 1957 and was the car Dean was driving at the time of his fatal crash in September 1955.

A remake, which Mueller said could be the 551 Spyder might "not be a retro car, but a two-seater convertible would suit us nicely."

It would have to be priced to attract new customers, the Porsche head added.

The least expensive Porsche at present, the Boxster, has a minimum price of 50,000 euros ($71,000) according to the company's website.

Long an exclusive auto for wealthy clients, Porsche is targeting annual sales of 200,000 vehicles by 2018, double the forecast for this year.

Mueller said the automaker's budget for research and development would grow by 50 percent meanwhile, as Porsche sought to offer a total of seven models, compared with four at present.

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