For Sale at Auction: 1988 Porsche 959 in Carmel, California

Chassis No. WP0ZZZ95ZJS900143
Engine No. 65H00197
Transmission No. 75H00202
Karl Baur Body No. 5390123

The German language is famous for its hyper-specific expressions: Kalkulationsfehler (financial mistake), Gl�ck im Ungl�ck (silver lining), and Tausendk�nstler (jack of all trades). All of these descriptions, and more, apply to the Porsche 959, the brand's first true supercar. A technological marvel born in the mid-1980s, the 959 was an engineering test bed that filtered its advancements down to the 911 lineup for well over a decade. But it was also a financial headache. The project was riddled with delays and massive cost overruns that created a cloud of uncertainty around its production. Today, that fog has lifted, revealing the 959 for what it truly is: a dramatic showcase of advanced technology and speed.

In the early 1980s, Porsche was driven to prove its technological dominance honed through decades of racing. The "Gruppe B" 959 project was created for this very purpose. Turbocharging, which first appeared on the 1972 917/10 Can-Am racer, made its way to Porsche's first turbocharged road car, the 1975 911 Turbo, and eventually to the 959. It was a similar story with engine cooling. Porsche's racing program had reached the thermal limit of its air-cooled flat-six engines, so water-cooled heads appeared on the victorious 956 endurance prototype in 1982, and just a few years later, the 959 was the beneficiary of these successful experiments. Self-leveling suspension, traction control, tire pressure monitoring, ABS, and composite body construction all seem commonplace today, but each of these systems was still in its infancy when it was first applied to the 959. Porsche wasn't content with simply piecing together a supercar from existing race parts.

The company entered the 959 in two of the most demanding arenas in motorsport: the 24 Hours of Le Mans (as the 961) and the Paris-Dakar Rally. The 959 was triumphant in both. At its 1986 debut at Le Mans, it finished first in class and seventh overall. It fared even better crossing the desert sands of Africa in the ultimate test of durability and endurance, finishing first, second, and sixth in the 1986 Paris-Dakar Rally. By the time the 959 was ready for production, all the incredible technology, testing, and racing led to an issue that additional power or better handling couldn't solve: the program had drastically exceeded its budget. As a result, Porsche lost money on every single 959 sold. In effect, those lucky enough to purchase a new 959 for roughly DM 430.000 ($225,000) were getting a massive discount on the actual production cost due to the high levels of engineering investment typical of Porsche.

Despite the 959's outsized reputation, just 266 959 Komforts and, later, a smaller number of Sports were produced. Chassis number 900143, a "C00" German-market example, is one of these rare 266 Komforts produced in 1988. The original owner selected the car in the rare shade of Graphite Metallic, one of just 34 so finished. According to a copy of its Porsche Production Specifications sheet this 959 Komfort was completed in March 1988 with a Graphite leather interior, heated and electrically adjustable sport seats, and the model's iconic four-color seat inserts, which it retains today. Furthermore, Porsche internal documentation confirms that the car retains its numbers-matching 'M959/50' 2.85-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six and six-speed transmission, including the famous Gel�nde low-range gear as delivered from the factory in 1988.

First sold in Germany, this 959's clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report records an initial registration in Minnesota in 2013-likely timed to coincide with the car reaching 25 years of age, after which it could be imported without regard to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards compliance. Following its arrival in the United States, this 959 Komfort shows a move to Nevada in 2019 with limited miles added. In February 2023, 959 chassis number 900143 visited Bruce Canepa's facility in Scotts Valley, California for a 13-month residence where it would receive an exceptionally comprehensive servicing and recommissioning detailed in a 17-page invoice on file and available for review.

The sweeping suite of work involved an engine disassembly and reassembly, new clutch, new exterior body seals, brake system repairs, fresh fluids including engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and hydraulic system fluid, new front wheel bearings, and HVAC system repairs. The invoice for the work completed in March 2024 tabulates over 1,200 hours spent at Canepa with an invoice totaling an impressive $241,100.

Fully matching-numbers, chassis number 900143 displays just 20,751 kms (12,895 miles) at cataloging and includes its very rare multi-piece tool kit, warning triangle, jack and tire inflator contained in bags matched to the Graphite Metallic interior leather, its Porsche Production Specifications (PPS) sheet, and Canepa service records. Benefiting from one of the most comprehensive recent services performed by the world's foremost 959 specialists-together with its desirable suspension upgrade-this exceptionally well-prepared example is presented ready to be driven and enjoyed. For collectors seeking one of Porsche's defining technological achievements in thoroughly sorted condition, few 959s can equal its combination of rarity, specification, and substantial recent investment.