For Sale: 1987 Porsche 959 in Scotts Valley, California

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1987 Porsche 959 Komfort
VIN: WP0ZZZ95ZHS900113

Porsche's 1st "SUPERCAR"
Extensive Canepa 959 "Sport Canepa" upgrades in 2023
Titanium coilover suspension, 18" magnesium wheels w/PS4 Michelin tires, Blaupunkt stereo head unit and audio upgrade, upgraded discharge headlights in original housings, and more
$195,210.86 invested in concours-level mechanical and cosmetic recommissioning
$168,362.61 invested in Canepa 959 SC upgrades
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires - 245/40-18 front, 275/35-18 rear
Optioned in Guards Red with Graphite Grey Metallic leather
956-derived 2.85L sequential turbo flat six engine producing 444 horsepower
6-speed manual transmission with advanced AWD

This 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort was ordered in Guards Red with a tri-color graphite gray metallic leather interior. It was optioned with leather-trimmed Sports Seats, option code 383 and 387, with electric height adjustment. The 959 first visited Canepa in 2019, sent by a previous caretaker with a significant automobile collection for major servicing. Wanting his 959 to be in completely original and pristine, unrestored condition, $195,210.86 was invested in an extensive mechanical servicing and concours-level cosmetic recommissioning. This included rebuilding the oil scavenger pumps, water pumps, new brake rotors and fuel lines, rebuilding the shock absorbers, installing a battery cutoff switch, servicing the HVAC system, a complete concourse-level cleaning of the engine bay while the engine was removed for other service work, and more. Upon completion, a test drive and final inspection confirmed that the 959 was ready for another 20+ years of service and driving, in fantastic preservation condition inside and out.

In late 2023 the Porsche 959 returned to Canepa in the same condition that it had left, with just 275 miles added to the odometer in under 4 years. The 959 found a new caretaker in 2024, but the new owner had heard about and seen the "Sport Canepa" upgrades that have made other 959 cars even better. Wanting to upgrade the car while keeping the aesthetics original, including the Guards Red paint and tri-color interior, Canepa took a methodical approach to upgrade specific systems to make the original car even better before the new caretaker took delivery.

During the upgrade process, Canepa addressed certain areas of the 959 to improve its drivability. The hydraulic suspension, prone to failure over time, was replaced with Canepa's 959 SC dual coil over suspension system with new hardware, titanium springs and Penske Racing shock absorbers. Custom 18" hollow spoke magnesium alloy wheels, specifically designed for Canepa, were chosen to allow for modern Michelin tires for better performance and ride comfort. The 959's audio system was upgraded, including a new Blaupunkt head unit with bluetooth technology that looks factory to the unassuming eye. The factory headlights were upgraded to allow for better visibility in low-light conditions to match the additional performance accompanying the Canepa upgrades. In addition to these upgrades, Canepa also installed a new Motronic engine control unit, new rear wheel bearings, A/C evaporator, and extensive maintenance and recommissioning to other systems throughout the car. Once completed, the new owner had invested $168,362.61 in upgrades, resulting in a fantastic-driving 959 with SC upgrades, with the 959 now showing 24,542 miles.
Now available for the next caretaker looking for a fully sorted Porsche 959 with key Canepa 959 SC upgrades, this 1987 Porsche 959 is ready to be enjoyed to the fullest. Whether your event of choice is on a concours lawn or secret backroad, this 959 is equally at home at both.

About the Porsche 959

??The Porsche 959 was by far the most technologically advanced sports car in the world when it was introduced in 1985. Timeless design, state-of-the-art systems, and superior driving characteristics make them one of the greatest sports cars of all time. In the early 1980s, to the joy of race fans worldwide, FISA introduced its new Group B road regulations. To qualify for homologation, manufacturers would have to produce and sell 200 road versions of their cars. Only two stepped up to the challenge: Porsche with its 959, and Ferrari with its 288 GTO.

Porsche developed the ultimate powerplant; a twin-turbocharged flat six-cylinder engine with air-cooled cylinders and water-cooled heads, displaced 2.85 liters, about half a liter less than a contemporary 911 engine. The motor had originally been developed for the "Moby Dick" race car and then been redeveloped slightly for the short-lived Porsche Indy Car before being "tweaked" a last time for use in the 961, the 959's racing counterpart. The water-cooled cylinder heads combined with the air-cooled cylinders, 4-valve heads and sequential turbochargers allowed Porsche to extract 444hp from the compact, efficient and reliable engine. The engine was coupled to a unique manual gearbox, which was the first 6-speed manual transmission sold in a streetcar.

The 959 also featured the most advanced all-wheel-drive system available in a production car. Capable of dynamically changing the torque distribution between the rear and front wheels, the PSK system gave the 959 the adaptability it needed both as a race car and as a "super" street car. Under hard acceleration, PSK could send as much as 80% of available power to the rear wheels. It could also vary the power bias depending on road surface and grip changes, helping maintain traction at all times.

In an attempt to create a lightweight shell, Porsche employed aluminum and Aramid (Kevlar) composite body panels. The vehicle's weight of 3,190 pounds (1,450 kg) helped to achieve its high performance level. Porsche also developed the car's aerodynamics, with automatic ride-height adjustment and a "zero lift" design. The magnesium alloy wheels were unique, being hollow inside to form a sealed chamber contiguous with the tire and equipped with a built-in tire pressure monitoring system.