Lot 276: 1989 Porsche 959 Coupé

Conceived in the early 1980s as a four-wheel-drive Group B competitor, the Porsche 959 was first displayed in ‘concept car’ form at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show’ and despite the subsequent abandonment of the events for which it had been intended, entered limited production in 1987. Representing the ultimate in automobile design, the 959 successfully adapted state-of-the art racing technology for road use, and even today its specification remains unparalleled.
At the car’s heart was a unique, 2,849cc version of the classic, six-cylinder, air-cooled ‘boxer’ engine equipped with water-cooled, double-overhead-camshaft, four-valve cylinder heads. The latter had been developed initially for the 1981 Le Mans-winning 936, and were further refined on the even more successful 956/962 that triumphed at La Sarthe every year from 1982 to 1987. In 959 specification this formidable twin-turbo-charged unit produced 450bhp, an output which, combined with the lightweight composite body’s drag coefficient of just 0.32, proved sufficient to propel the 959 past 195mph and on to the front rank of all-time supercars.
The 959’s sophisticated four-wheel-drive six-speed transmission paved the way for that of the Carrera 4; computer controlled, it provided variable torque split with alternative programmes for dry, wet, icy or off-road conditions. Ride height was electrically controlled, the ABS brakes delivered race-car levels of retardation and the run-flat tyres were monitored for pressure loss, all of which made for a car faster than just about anything else on the road yet, in the Porsche tradition, was comfortable, practical and reliable. Indeed, with its electric windows and mirrors, climate control, electric heated seats and superb stereo system, the 959 rivalled many a limousine for luxury.
Although its Group B raison d-être had ceased to exist, the Porsche 959 did achieve one major competition victory, René Metge and Dominique Lemoyne winning the gruelling Paris-Dakar Rally in 1986 in their works 959 with similar cars in second and seventh places, while the race-developed variant finished seventh at Le Mans that year, winning the IMSA GT2 class. In total, fewer than 300 of these exclusive supercars were made - the official factory figure is 292.

The vendor is only the second owner of this left-hand drive 959, which was sold new in Switzerland and acquired by him in 1989 still with delivery mileage. The car is presented in excellent condition throughout, having covered a mere 24,450 accident-free kilometres from new, and was last serviced by Porsche in April 2005. It is handsomely finished grey with matching interior and is offered with original tool kit and valid Monaco registration papers. A ‘blue chip’ long term collectors car.

Cette Supercar fut vendue neuve en Suisse. L’actuel et deuxième propriétaire l’acheta la même année, en 1989, avec seulement quelques dixaine de kilomètres. La voiture est aujourd’hui présentée en excellentes conditions, à tous points de vue, n’ayant parcouru que quelques 24’450 km depuis sa sortie d’usine, jamais accidentée. Elle sort d’une révision chez le concessionnaire Porsche de Monaco. La voiture est gris anthracite avec son intérieur assorti et sera livrée avec sa trousse à outils d’origine et son titre de circulation monégasque.