Porsche likes to entice its customers by offering unprecedented technological advances on its high-end models. Under an undifferentiated bodywork compared to the 911, the Porsche 959 conceals sensational innovations regarding suspension and transmission. This car which was briefly the fastest commercial car of its time also had a perfect stability.
The 959 project was launched in 1981 but development was lagging behind. The cars were built in 1987 and 1988 in two variants, Komfort and Sport, for a total of 284 units including only 29 Sport. The Sport, 100 Kg lighter, may be compared with the Ferrari Competizione variants, stripped of equipment unnecessary for competition such as rear seat, air conditioning, audio installation.
The early termination of its production is in line with the use of this rolling wonder as a technological demonstrator : although it is on sale one of the most expensive cars of its time, Porsche had understood very early that it could not be profitable.
In these conditions, it is not a concern to Porsche that the new model does not comply with the anti-pollution regulations applicable in the United States : it will not be exported in that country and that's it. The Porsche 959 purchased by Bill Gates was kept for thirteen years by the San Francisco customs.
Over time the situation improves. In 1999 the Show and Display Act allows for a limited use the import of unapproved cars with technological or historical significance. Beginning in 2003 Canepa Design proposes the transformation of the 959 to comply with the emission rules.
Especially a car is classified as a collector vehicle in the United States when it reaches 25 years. The effect is noticeable on auction prices of the 959 after 2013. Here are three examples of this Porsche rush, observed in Gooding's sales : $ 1.5M in August 2014 for a Komfort over a lower estimate of $ 900K ; $ 1.7M for a Sport in January 2015 ; $ 1.73M for a Komfort in August 2015. These results include the premium.
On February 8 in Paris, RM Sotheby's sells a 959 Sport made in 1988, lot 131 estimated € 1.5M without reserve price. This car had been registered in the United States by its first owner who had foiled the vigilance of the administration (the catalog does not explain how he managed it ...). This car of exceptional originality has never undergone any modification.
Please watch the short video shared by RM.
SOLD for € 1.96M including premium
The 959 project was launched in 1981 but development was lagging behind. The cars were built in 1987 and 1988 in two variants, Komfort and Sport, for a total of 284 units including only 29 Sport. The Sport, 100 Kg lighter, may be compared with the Ferrari Competizione variants, stripped of equipment unnecessary for competition such as rear seat, air conditioning, audio installation.
The early termination of its production is in line with the use of this rolling wonder as a technological demonstrator : although it is on sale one of the most expensive cars of its time, Porsche had understood very early that it could not be profitable.
In these conditions, it is not a concern to Porsche that the new model does not comply with the anti-pollution regulations applicable in the United States : it will not be exported in that country and that's it. The Porsche 959 purchased by Bill Gates was kept for thirteen years by the San Francisco customs.
Over time the situation improves. In 1999 the Show and Display Act allows for a limited use the import of unapproved cars with technological or historical significance. Beginning in 2003 Canepa Design proposes the transformation of the 959 to comply with the emission rules.
Especially a car is classified as a collector vehicle in the United States when it reaches 25 years. The effect is noticeable on auction prices of the 959 after 2013. Here are three examples of this Porsche rush, observed in Gooding's sales : $ 1.5M in August 2014 for a Komfort over a lower estimate of $ 900K ; $ 1.7M for a Sport in January 2015 ; $ 1.73M for a Komfort in August 2015. These results include the premium.
On February 8 in Paris, RM Sotheby's sells a 959 Sport made in 1988, lot 131 estimated € 1.5M without reserve price. This car had been registered in the United States by its first owner who had foiled the vigilance of the administration (the catalog does not explain how he managed it ...). This car of exceptional originality has never undergone any modification.
Please watch the short video shared by RM.
SOLD for € 1.96M including premium
Happy Sunday! Kick back with our #RMParis digital catalogue! 260+ pages of auto #eyecandy, incl. this #Porsche 959! https://t.co/gqSZW1V9w6 pic.twitter.com/nMIFwQ6l9N
— RM Sotheby's (@rmsothebys) January 22, 2017
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