In the past, Porsche has had many iconic models. Among them, the 959 is perhaps the most standout despite its short lifespan.
Produced from 1986 to 1993, the Porsche 959 originated as a rally racing car before being converted into a commercial vehicle as required at the time (race cars had to have a commercial version, with a minimum production of 200 units).
At the time of its launch, the Porsche 959 was the fastest car in the world with a top speed of 317 km/h, with later versions pushing this mark to 339 km/h. Combining the agility of a race car, the rare four-wheel drive system on a sports car, and the luxury features of a high-end vehicle, the Porsche 959 became the ultimate symbol of high-performance cars worldwide at that time.
The Porsche 959 is a legendary car that has a history as unique as Bugatti Chiron. Photo: Carscoops
Now, one of the most special 959s in history is appearing at an auction. With chassis number 022, this is one of only 266 cars from the 959 Komfort edition ever produced. The odometer currently shows fewer than 1,600 km, indicating a very new condition.
What is even more special about the auctioned Porsche 959 is that it was once owned by Nissan. Through a Belgian distributor, the Japanese automaker brought the prestigious sports car back to their factory. They then dismantled and dissected the car to learn the technologies and techniques used by Porsche, most notably the four-wheel drive system.
The interior of the car has been restored to “like new” condition with luxurious materials in a classic design framework. Photo: Carscoops
What Nissan learned from the Porsche 959 later transformed into the four-wheel drive system used on the legendary Nissan Skyline GT-R. The car was later sold back to one of Nissan’s engineers and then exported to the United States.
The Canepa customization company repurchased the 959 in 2019 and spent four years painstakingly restoring the car. After 4,000 hours of construction and nearly $1 million in costs, the project was completed and even upgraded in many aspects. The original 2.8L boxer engine now produces a power output of 800 horsepower and 881 Nm, surpassing most current Porsche models.
The Porsche 959 is expected to be auctioned successfully for over $3.25 million (VND 79.5 billion).
