The 959 is one of the most intriguing sports cars of the 20th century for many auto enthusiasts. Porsche presented the “Group B” research before the IAA in 1983 in order to comply with the rules for this magnificent rally class. All three 959s finished the 1986 Paris Dakar Rally, taking first, second, and sixth position. The modified 961 track version also finished sixth in the 1986 Le Mans endurance race and won the IMSA/GTX class competition.
At the IAA in 1985, the production model made its premiere. Self-leveling suspension, electronically controlled variable all-wheel drive with driving programme selection and ABS, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and an aerodynamically optimized body were some of its features. The exterior skin was built of Kevlar and glass-fibre-reinforced epoxy resin in a hybrid construction, while the front spoiler was made of polyurethane integrated foam, combining technologies from the design of racing cars and aviation. A unique aluminum alloy was used to create the doors and bonnet.
Sequential turbocharging on a biturbo boxer engine was first used in a production vehicle, the Porsche 959, to help eliminate turbo lag. The oscillating masses on the crankshaft were lowered by the titanium conrods. The four-valve heads were water-cooled, contrary to Porsche’s then-standard practice of air-cooling the cylinders. The exhaust valves have salt fillings for greater heat dissipation. Only 292 Porsche 959 models were produced in series between 1987 and 1988.
Only 29 pieces of the Sport version were sold, making it even more uncommon. This variation featured bigger turbochargers that used more boost pressure. Compared to the base model’s 450 PS, it boasted 515 PS. There was no self-leveling suspension on the 959 S. To further reduce weight, the automatic air conditioning, central locking system, electric windows, right-side mirror, and back seats were also removed.
In This Article...
Overview of the 1988 Porsche 959S, a Spectacular Car
The Porsche 959S model was only made in 284 pieces. These sports vehicles have four point racing harnesses, a well-fitted leather-wrapped road cafe, and cloth upholstery. Its coil-over suspension is more traditional than the 959 Komfort model in terms of mechanics. Due to this, the 959 S was about 220 pounds lighter than the 959 Komfort version.
The 959 S has a rich backstory, just like every successful project, and is arguably the most beautiful example of its kind. Vasek Polak Jr., a well-known California Porsche dealer, and his father, the racer Vasek Polak, bought the vehicle from the city of Stuttgart and drove it across Europe before bringing it back to the United States.
Porsche enthusiasts will understand that 959s were never sent new to the US since they didn’t meet emissions or importation regulations set by the US Department of Transportation. However, Polak was able to import the car into the US in some manner. It’s crucial to remember that the 959 S was an enhanced version of the 959, but because there were so few available, manufacturing was capped to 29 units.
It all started in 1986.
In 1986, the Porsche 911 was still widely used, but Porsche also made a second sports car to demonstrate how the company had developed over time. However, it was in 1981 that the concept of creating a new sports car to complement the 911 first emerged, with the goal of capturing all of Porsche’s promise in a single automobile. That was undoubtedly the case with the 959, whose existence and reputation had a significant influence on every Porsche model produced for the following 20 years after its introduction.
Sadly, although being created with Group B racing in mind, by the time the 959 arrived, Group B racing had already disbanded. The 959 base model was created in about 329 instances between 1985 and 1992, while the 959 S is a more limited subclass with even fewer examples produced.
The 959 initially went for $300,000, and production cars were unevenly distributed between Sport and Komfort variants. The Komfort vehicles included additional luxury features including air conditioning, sound insulation, a right door mirror, power windows, power seats, and rear seats, whereas the Sport models were lighter and missing all those things in favor of being more simple.
The Porsche 959 S featured a four-cylinder engine with 444 HP and 369 ft-lbs of torque, as well as a six-speed transmission with a top speed of 200 mph. Additionally, the vehicle’s zero-lift aluminum and carbon fiber body was equipped with twin turbochargers.
Model Guides for the Porsche 959: Komfort vs. Sport
The Porsche 959 came in two primary models. The Porsche 959 S or “959 Sport” had larger turbochargers that raised power output to 508 horsepower and higher peak speed, as well as 100kg reduced weight, whereas the 959 Komfort was the standard model marketed. The 959 Sport was much more uncommon, with a run size of just 29 vehicles. It’s important to remember that official Porsche 959 production ceased after the 1988 model year, but in 1992/1993, Porsche constructed eight additional vehicles using spare parts from the stock at the Zuffenhausen manufacturing facility. Four of the eight were “Komfort” variants and four were silver. These automobiles were far more expensive than the prior models and included a newly developed speed-sensitive damper system.
At auction, This RARE Porsche 959 Could Sell for More Than $1.5 Million.
Any Porsche 959 is a seductive machine, and this 1988 example in black over caramel brown, which will be up for auction in August at Pebble Beach, is no different.
One of the most intriguing supercars ever produced is the Porsche 959. They used to be quite uncommon to see in the United States; only 50 or so of the 329 (or 337; production counts vary) models constructed made it over under show-and-display waivers. The good news for American auto collectors and enthusiasts is that importation of cars like this 1988 example has been allowed because the bulk of 959s are now older than 25 years.
This gorgeous black car is listed by Gooding & Company as a “Komfort” model, which Porsche utilized to distinguish its road-going vehicles from its racing counterparts. The 959 was well ahead of its time in terms of speed and technology, powered by a 444-hp, twin-turbocharged 2.8-liter flat-six coupled to a six-speed manual. Our test of the vehicle in 1987 resulted in a zero-to-60 time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph, which was our highest top speed to that point. The car’s all-wheel-drive system, which could distribute torque according on the dynamic load on each wheel and could also be locked at a set torque split, was one of its many ground-breaking technological innovations.
Reviews, specifications, pricing, and more about the Porsche 911 GT3 and GT3 RS.
There aren’t many facts available about this specific automobile, but the auction house does say that it’s one of only three with this eye-catching color scheme and that it has received factory maintenance its whole existence. The projected sale price is between $1.6 million and $1.8 million, which, if verified, would indicate the sharp rise in vintage Porsche prices over the past few years.
OpenWeb was used to import this content. At their website, you might be able to discover the same material in a different format or more details.
How numerous are Porsche 959s?
The former professional racer may be this nation’s finest authority on the 959, Porsche’s first supercar, so he would know. The company only produced 292 units of the production model between 1986 and 1988 (and as many as eight more in 1992 and ’93), but with it, they introduced ground-breaking technologies like sequential twin turbo-chargers, a suspension system (for the Komfort variant) that automatically adjusted the car’s ride height to improve stability, and an all-wheel-drive system that changed the torque distribution between the front and rear wheels under hard acceleration or in accordance with the driver’s preferences. The fastest production car at the time was the Porsche 959 Sport, which had a lighter coil-over-shock suspension and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. Its highest speed was also higher than 197 mph.
He then sped through a mind-bending 60–120–60 mph run before grinning and saying, “I could do this all day.”
Porsche enthusiasts in particular and car collectors in general highly prize the Porsche 959 due to its rarity, cutting-edge engineering, and performance potential. The car has become more alluring, particularly in recent years. The Porsche 959 was a financial failure during its short manufacturing run despite being a technological success for the company—much of its technology would eventually filter down into succeeding models. “Larry Bean”
* In Germany, a Porsche 959 cost the equivalent of around $420,000 in 1986 when it was first purchased. Due to the high cost of manufacturing the automobile, Porsche reportedly lost a lot of money on each sale.
* A 1986 Porsche 959 Sport currently has an average value of slightly over $1 million, per the collector car insurance firm Hagerty. A concours-condition 959 Sport is now worth about three times as much as it was three years ago, going from roughly $625,000 to $1.85 million.
*A 1987 959 Komfort sold for around $1.5 million at the Pebble Beach auctions in 2015, and a 1988 Komfort sold for more than $1.7 million.
* Porsche is reported to have produced 337 instances of the 959 in all, including eight examples that were assembled in 1992 and 1993 using leftover parts and 37 prototypes and preproduction versions.
A Porsche 959 is owned by whom?
In 1987, Porsche started shipping cars to customers, each costing US$225,000. A great example of one of these vintage Porsche supercars will cost you upwards of four times its original price today, however finding one for sale may be your hardest challenge. Bill Gates, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, and tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who is a major fan, have all been notable owners. She recalled her experience driving a 959 Porsche in Germany 20 years ago, saying it was enjoyable to reach speeds of roughly 200 mph (320 km/h). “We probably traveled for two hours at an average speed of 150 mph (240 km/h). That was fun, then.”
To say that the Porsche 959 is ideal would be the mildest overstatement given how perfectly it can complete nearly any automotive mission.
What makes a Porsche 959 so unique?
The 959 was one of the most significant automobiles of its time thanks to its numerous technological advancements. The 959’s 2.8 liter flat six-cylinder engine, which was turbocharged, was able to propel the car to a high speed of slightly under 200 mph. In contrast, the renowned 1988 Lamborghini Countach was a level higher in the hierarchy of supercars but could only hit a top speed of 183 mph.
To avoid the typical problem of turbo lag, the twin turbos of the 959’s powerplant were cleverly sequential turbocharged. The 959’s solution to this problem nearly four decades ago is still being worked on by automakers today.
A Porsche 959 is priced at how much?
Since its introduction 35 years ago, the Porsche 959 and 959 S have appreciated significantly in value.
In 1986, the Porsche 959 shocked the world by showcasing the absolute peak of the company’s potential for both racing and sports cars. The 959 was created to help the firm expand, even though the 911 was already well-known at the time.
The 959 S was a more special model that had many similarities to the standard model, including pricing, features, specifications, and design, but was produced in far smaller quantities, had a sportier packaging, and placed a greater focus on speed.
Since the Porsche 959 and 959 S were introduced 35 years ago, their value has dramatically improved; instead of going for $300,000 when they first appeared, they now frequently sell for $1.5 million or more.