Porsche 959 'komfort', 1987
Porsche 959
Porsche 959•
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Chassis No.: WP0ZZZ95ZHS900036
Auction: Monterey 2016
Auction date: August 20, 2016
Lot No.: S127
$900,000 | High bid
- Exterior: Red
- Interior: Gray
- No. 36 of 292 produced
- Adjustable ride height and suspension dampening
- 2.8/444 HP engine
- Variable turbine geometry turbos
- 5-speed manual transmission
- Anti-lock brakes
- Guards Red with Triple Gray interior
- Heated adjustable sport seats
- Alarm system
- Owner’s and workshop manuals
- Multiplier wrench and jack
- Tools and tire compressor
- Well-documented ownership history
- Comprehensive service records
- Thorough servicing at Porsche Cars Reading, U.K. in 2014
- U.S. and U.K. Porsche Certificates of Authenticity
- Must be sold to an out of state resident or license dealer
With age of the modern supercar upon us, the now legendary Porsche 959 in many ways is truly the genesis for a wide variety of supercar technology that we see today. The 959 was born of a requirement from the FIA for Porsche to build 200 road going units of their 959 Prototype to homologate their efforts in Group B Rally. The 959 represented a first for implementing systems like ABS, adjustable ride height, adjustable suspension dampening, variable turbine geometry turbos, the use of Carbon Kevlar and other composites during construction and even lightweight hollow wheels. All while preserving a fine level of modern comfort.
Soon after the introduction of the 959, it was announced that no cars would allocated to U.S. Customers due to the cars non-conformity with DOT and EPA regulations. This represented a bump in the road for what at the time was the ultimate Porsche. A handful of 959s did make it to the states via Holbert Porsche but remained in the back of the dealerships lot until it was affirmed that the cars would remain illegal and the whole lot were sent back to Porsche in Germany. It wasn’t until the Show and Display Law was passed in 1999 that a few adamant collectors/enthusiasts like Bill Gates and Paul Allen were able to successfully import examples of the 959. That’s no longer an issue today.
With the 25-year exemption now in effect, 959s can be legally imported into the U.S. This Guards Red 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort on offer is the 36th of 292 production cars, and was delivered new by Porsche Cars AG to its first German owner on October 12th 1987. The 959 continues the tradition like that of other Porsches—a car to be used and enjoyed, reliably so, and without fault. Its interior is heavy on 1980s appeal and feel throughout, consistent with the use of new and modern materials in the rest of the car. This German specification model features a triple grey interior, heated and electrically adjustable sport seats, alarm system and Bridgestone Tires.
The only deviation from original specification is the installation of a period correct McIntosh sound system with CD player is the one after-factory addition to this car. Included with the 959 are the following items: owner’s manual, workshop manual, multiplier wrench, jack, hazard triangle, tire compressor, tire pressure gauge, tools, white leather gloves, belts, towel, the appropriate leather pouches to match, a well-documented ownership history as well as U.S. and U.K. Porsche Certificates of Authenticity. One of the 959s previous caretakers was Tom Hartley Jr., a well-known purveyor of special interest automobiles located in Derbyshire, England. Under Mr.
Hartley’s care the car received considerable servicing to bring it up-to-date as a turnkey example. A documented comprehensive work order was carried out at Porsche Cars Reading, UK. These services are part of comprehensive records that include nearly $30,000 worth of invoices to put this 959 in superb order as a ready-to-enjoy, investment grade example. This is no doubt the time to consider acquiring one of the original 1980s supercar icons before value trends increase to a point that deem this acquisition impossible. The 959 represents the beginning of imaginative innovation, and this rare Porsche will continue to represent a gateway to the start of the supercar era.
This is a unique opportunity to acquire an original Porsche supercar, one that is worthy of much consideration.
