Fantasy Junction

Description

1987 Porsche 959 Komfort
VIN WPOZZZ952HS900059
Silver with Grey Interior

The Porsche 959 is nothing short of legendary. Far and away the most advanced supercar of its era, the car pioneered a genre of technologically intensive supercars that is now familiar to car enthusiasts. Through its use of advanced technology, Porsche created an absolutely sensational machine that caused a paradigm shift in terms of performance, in addition to demonstrating that intelligence rather than brute force was the wave of the future for world class supercars.

The technological specification, while impressive now, was absolutely space age in the mid 1980’s when the car was developed, unveiled, and produced. The 959’s purpose was to homologate the car for Gruppe B rallying in accordance with FIA regulations, which required the construction of at least 200 units. Everything about the car, from its chassis to its suspension to its driveline to its aerodynamics was redeveloped using the most advanced technology. The body was made in aluminum and Kevlar composites (depending on the panel), and even Nomex in the floor. The aerodynamics were carefully reworked to provide zero lift, with flat undertray, and even the removal of the rain gutters, which reportedly reduced lift considerably and increased the top speed by several miles per hour. The powerplant was a turbocharged flat-6, but bore little resemblance to the Porsche 930 Turbo that was then in production. It displaced not 3.3 liters like the contemporary Porsche Turbo, but 2.85 liters, and employed titanium connecting rods and twin sequential turbochargers. Additionally, the cylinder heads were 4-valve units and were liquid cooled (a first for a rear-engined Porsche), and the engine was essentially a street-going version of the 935 Moby Dick engine. Power was rated at 450hp, which coupled with the all wheel drive system, provided searing acceleration, with 0-60 in about 3.6 seconds. The top speed was well north of the magic 300kph mark (186 mph) and was nearer to 200mph.

An all wheel drive system with four manually selectable programs (dry, wet, ice, traction) transmitted power to the wheels, and the system would automatically apportion torque based on the conditions. An unusual gauge on the dashboard indicates to the driver the amount of torque being supplied to the front axle, as well as the amount of slip occurring at the front. The suspension represented a radical departure for Porsche at the time, with McPherson struts all round and double wishbones. The ride height was adjustable at the twist of a knob to provide massive clearance if need be (as befits a rally car), while the gearbox was a 6-speed unit, a first for a production street car. The level of attention that went into the 959 is nothing short of spectacular. No detail was overlooked. The alloy wheels were magnesium with hollow spokes, and even the windscreen seals were re-engineered to reduce drag. The cars cost over $200,000 in 1987, but purportedly the cars cost Porsche approximately $530,000 each to produce. Approximately 300 examples were built, and the cars were never certified for sale in the United States, although a handful of cars managed to find their way to the United States in the hands of particularly determined enthusiasts.

This particular car was sold new to an American who took delivery of the car in Germany and drove it in Europe for approximately a month before air freighting it back to the United States. The car was federalized in Connecticut, and the owner then drove the car back to California, making it one of the most driven 959s in the world at the time. He has continued to use the car regularly, and it probably remains one of the most well-traveled 959s in the world, with 72,000 miles from new. The car was one of the original six 959s federalized (Ralph Lauren’s was among them) in period, a unique agreement achieved through extensive negotiations with the Department of Transportation fully ten years before the “Show and Display” clause that famously ended the 10 year stay at the port of Bill Gates’ 959.

This car has been fastidiously serviced and obviously enjoyed by the same owner over the course of its 26 year life. It has full service records and is complete with its original fahrzeugbrief, full books set, as well 959-specific accessories, including tool roll with tools, compressor with case, and lug wrench with case.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608