To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' The Petersen Automotive
Museum Auction event, 8 December 2018.
Estimate:
$950,000 - $1,100,000
- Early 959 Komfort model
- Federalized and registered in California
- Highly original, with no computer system modifications
- Single ownership for the last decade
- Includes books, tools, and accessories, including rare WABCO
tester
- Porsche Certificate of Authenticity
What do you get when you lock 50 or so German engineers in a room
and ask them to develop "the ultimate sports car"? Oh, and without
budget limitations? Well, in 1984, that's exactly what Porsche
did.
The Porsche 959 redefined the sports car market at the very high
end - where there are no compromises on performance or limitations
on cost. Alongside Lamborghini's Countach and Ferrari's F40 and 288
GTO, the 959 was a "poster car" for a generation of automotive
enthusiasts. Porsche broke the mold and defined what a supercar was
through the pursuit of technological innovation, pioneering
concepts such as an anti-lock brake system, the world's first tire
pressure monitoring system, and a full-time hydraulically
controlled all-wheel-drive system.
The 959 engine is a close derivative of the race engine used in the
962 and featured the world's only sequential twin-turbo system,
designed with both low-rpm and high-rpm turbos that work together
to reduce turbo lag. The suspension system has dual shocks (one air
and one hydraulic) on all four corners, which allows for adjustment
between a sporty or comfort ride, as well as ride-height adjustment
while driving. The viscous-clutch four-wheel drive system utilizes
multiple inputs to a computer that then distributes power to each
wheel based upon acceleration and road conditions.
This early 1987 959 is one of a very small handful of 959s that
have been federalized and licensed for street use in California. It
has been enjoyed and regularly driven while in single enthusiast
ownership for the past decade. Having been delivered new in
Germany, this 959 was one of two that were imported together to the
U.S. in the early 2000s. Upon arrival in the U.S., the pair of 959s
was sent to G&K Automotive Services to be brought into federal
compliance for American road use. Going a step further, this 959
was licensed in California and still retains its California state
B.A.R. compliance sticker. It is important to note that all of this
959's engine management systems and control computers are original
- it has not been converted to the later MoTeC system. The only
modification the owner is aware of is the addition of catalytic
converters integrated into a custom-manufactured muffler.
A clean CARFAX report on file shows that the car was first
registered in California in 2001. When it was imported into the
U.S., the decision was made to repaint the car from its original
shade of Graphite Grey Metallic to jet gloss Black. It is
understood that this was performed at the request of the original
importer who kept this 959 as his personal car and preferred the
solid color to the original metallic hue.
In 2007, the 959 came into its present custodianship when it was
purchased by Wayne R. Dempsey, founder of Pelican Parts, and author
of best-selling Porsche books How to Rebuild and Modify Porsche 911
Engines and 101 Projects for Your Porsche 911. Having owned several
Porsche 962 race cars, this California street-legal 959 with its
962-derived powerplant fit perfectly into Dempsey's impressive
collection of prototype racing Porsche cars. It was driven
sparingly but regularly and was often seen at shows and events
throughout Southern California.
During Dempsey's ownership, this 959 has been serviced and
maintained by the staff at Pelican Parts, who have replaced
numerous components, including all four hydraulic accumulators, all
four adjustable Bilstein air shocks, and the complete set of brake
pads and rotors�approximately $50,000 in parts alone. It is worth
noting that this car retains the original ride height adjustable
959 suspension setup, which has been deleted from many of the 959s
on the road today.
An impressive complement of factory items and accessories accompany
the car, including a complete tool kit, first aid kit, air
compressor, torque wrench, wheel removal tool, hazard triangle, and
jack. In addition, the owner's manual and original VIN-stamped
warranty book are included, along with an original "unobtainium"
959 factory cassette tape. A unique selection of factory Porsche
959 press materials, the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, a
"Special Edition Certificate," and a copy of the Art and Car
edition of Porsche 959 by J�rgen Lewandowski are also included. A
brand-new factory 959 mph speedometer is also provided with the
car, for the new owner to convert the gauge cluster from km to mph
if so desired. This extensive collection of memorabilia also
includes a copy Porsche Sixty Years by Randy Leffingwell, which
features this 959 as an exceptional original example of the model.
The icing on the cake is an original WABCO brake system diagnostic
tester and a 959 code reader - both extremely rare items of great
value to all 959 mechanics.
Today with just under 41,000 km (25,350 miles) recorded, this 959
is an excellent driving machine, and upon inspection shows no
evidence of any prior accident damage. It has been cared for and
professionally maintained by enthusiastic owners over the years,
having been enjoyed in the personal collection of a noted Porsche
performance aficionado for the past decade. The result is a car
that boasts a substantial level of originality throughout - even
the air conditioning works!
Now coming to market for the first time in many years, this 959 is
a fine example of the definitive supercar of the 1980s.To view this
car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit
the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/ca18.
