FASTEST ROAD-CAR OF THE 1980S, THE PORSCHE 959 HEADS TO BONHAMS SPA CLASSIC SALE

 

FASTEST ROAD-CAR OF THE 1980S, THE PORSCHE 959

HEADS TO BONHAMS SPA CLASSIC SALE

 

 

 

Bonhams annual Spa Classic Sale will showcase more than 40 fantastic motor cars and 14 lots of carefully selected automobilia. The sale takes place 24 May at the famous Circuit at Spa Francorchamps, Belgium.

 

Upon introduction, the Porsche 959 boasted a top speed of 195 mph (314 km/h), making it the world’s fastest street-legal production car. Bonhams Spa Classic sale features an excellent example of this iconic model, a 1988 Porsche 959 Coupé, estimated at €700,000-900,000.

 

Philip Kantor, Bonhams European Head of Motoring, said: “This is an extremely original example, having remained with its first registered owner from new. This 1980s supercar is the rarest and most revolutionary Porsche, and this year it celebrates its 30^th anniversary so it’s the perfect time to acquire such a fantastic car. With eight exciting Porsche offered at the upcoming Spa Classic Sale, it’s a wonderful event for any collector.”

 

      

 

The 959 represented the ultimate in automobile design, successfully adapting state-of-the art racing technology for road use, and even today its specification remains unmatched. 

 

Conceived in the early 1980s as a four-wheel-drive Group B competitor, it was first displayed in 'concept car' form at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show, and despite the subsequent abandonment of the events for which it had been intended, it entered limited production in 1987.

 

The car was faster than just about anything else on the road, and yet, in the Porsche tradition, was comfortable, practical and reliable. Indeed, with its electric windows and mirrors, climate control, electric heated seats and superb stereo system, the 959 rivalled many a limousine for luxury. 

Although its Group B raison d-être had ceased to exist, the Porsche 959 did achieve one major competition victory. In 1986 René Metge and Dominique Lemoyne won the gruelling Paris-Dakar Rally in their works 959 with similar cars in second and seventh places. The race-developed variant finished seventh at Le Mans that year, winning the IMSA GT2 class. In total, fewer than 300 of these exclusive supercars were made.
 

The eight Porsche offered at Bonhams Spa Classic Sale include:

• Lot 112: 1971 Porsche 911S 2.4-Litre Targa Coupé – estimate €110,000-140,000
• Lot 119: 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Litres Targa - estimate €90,000-130,000
• Lot 124: 1988 Porsche 959 Coupé – estimate €700,000-900,000
• Lot 132: 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2-Litre Coupé WTL – estimate €40,000-60,000
• Lot 136: 1980 Porsche 924 Carrera GT Coupé – estimate €75,000-95,000
• Lot 137: 1972 Porsche 911T 2.4-Litre Targa Coupé – estimate €70,000-80,000
• Lot 121: 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Type 964 Coupé – estimate €185,000-235,000
• Lot 131: The Ex-Jürgen Oppermann/Otto Altenbach/Loris Kessel Obermaier Racing – first Porsche home at Le Mans,1990-93 Porsche Type 962 C Endurance Racing Competition Coupe – estimate €1,450,000-1,850,000

 

Bonhams Spa Classic takes place on 24 May in Spa Francorchamps, Belgium. For more information visit https://www.bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/.