Certain cars in history force the competition to pull their socks up and embrace the future. The Porsche 959 not only remains one of the most interesting supercars ever built, but it also fits the definition of cars that moved the game so far forward that everybody stood up and took notice.
Featuring a 2.85-litre turbocharged rear-mounted flat-six engine based on the flat-six out of a 911, which put 450hp at 6500rpm to all four wheels, the 959 was the peak of supercar performance in its day. Features like anti-lock brakes were a fairly recent innovation at the time, but the 959’s technological innovation didn’t stop there. Eight hydraulic dampers – four at each corner – meant the 959 did without anti-roll bars. Electronic ride height and damping adjustments were made by the car’s on-board computer, allowing the car to automatically lift or lower itself depending on the conditions and speed.
The 959 was the first production car to be fitted with an electronic tyre pressure monitoring system, which worked on some of the world’s first run-flat tyres – Bridgestone RE71 Denlocs. Those tyres were fitted onto the world’s first production-car magnesium wheels, with hollow spokes. The 959 also featured a front diff with hydraulically-actuated clutches that were computer-controlled. At a time when mobile phones were the size of your face and barely had screens, the technology seen on the Porsche 959 seemed out of this world, with performance figures that remain competitive with the current crop of supercars.
The 959 was actually produced at Karosserie Baur, not at the Porsche factory in Zuffenhausen, on an assembly line with Porsche inspectors overseeing the finished bodies. Most of Porsche’s special order interior leather work was also done by the workers at Baur.
The road version of the 959 debuted at the 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show as a 1986 model, but numerous issues delayed production by more than a year. The car was manufactured in two levels of trim, “Sport” and “Komfort”, corresponding to the trim with more creature comforts and a more track focused trim. First customer deliveries of the 959 street variant began in 1987, and the car debuted at a cost of DM431,550 (US$225,000) each, still less than half what it cost Porsche to build each car. Production ended in 1988 with 292 cars completed.
The Car Offered Here
According to information posted on RM Sotheby’s, this particular 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort was finished in Grand Prix White over a dark blue leather interior when it came out of the factory. It also came with heated, electronically adjustable front seats and an alarm system.
The 959 was delivered new to Germany before it was imported to the United Kingdom where it was first registered in 1989. It was then sold to a family in London where it stayed there for at least 21 years. During that period of ownership, the car accrued a modest amount of mileage and eventually garnered the interests of many supercar hunters in the surrounding area. In 2021, the car was purchased by current ownership before it was serviced in 2022 where it got an oil change, a new fuel filter, and a new A/C compressor.
Although the the paintwork has had some minor issues and has been addressed multiple times, the interior is said to be in its original condition. It’s also worth noting that the total mileage of this 36 year old supercar is just 16,818 miles, a desirably low figure.
The Porsche 959 was the world’s fastest production car at the time when it was released. Even when compared to today’s standards, the 959’s top speed is right up there with the modern performance cars. With its desirable color scheme, factory options, and considerably low mileage, this 959 presents a wonderful opportunity for any car enthusiast or collector looking to own a rare and iconic car that boasts timeless design and groundbreaking performance.
This 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort will be offered on RM Sotheby’s on the 26th of January 2023.
Note: All photos are courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
