Prices, Specifications & 360° Interactive
Porsche 959 - Price, Specs and 360° Interactive
Porsche 959 - 360° Interactive
Porsche 959 - Key Specifications
Porsche 959 Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Supercar Coupé |
| Released At | 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show |
| Built At | Stuttgart, Germany |
| Engine | 2.85 L Twin-Turbocharged Flat-6 (M959) |
| Position | Rear-Engine, Longitudinal |
| Aspiration | Twin-Turbocharged |
| Block Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 Valves per Cylinder |
| Fuel Feed | Bosch Motronic Fuel Injection |
| Displacement | 2849 cc / 174.0 in³ |
| Bore | 95 mm / 3.74 in |
| Stroke | 67 mm / 2.64 in |
| Compression | 8.3:1 |
| Power | 331 kW / 444 hp |
| Specific Output | 155.8 hp per liter |
| BHP/Weight | 275 bhp per tonne |
| Torque | 500 Nm / 369 lb-ft |
| Top Speed | 317 km/h / 197 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | 3.6 seconds |
| 0 – 100 km/h | 3.7 seconds |
| Body / Frame | Kevlar and Aluminum Panels over a Steel Monocoque |
| Driven Wheels | AWD (Porsche-Steuer Kupplung System) |
| Wheel Type | Magnesium Alloy Wheels |
| Front Tires | 235/45ZR17 |
| Rear Tires | 255/40ZR17 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs with 4-Piston Calipers |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs with 4-Piston Calipers |
| Front Wheels | 43.2 x 20.3 cm / 17 x 8 in |
| Rear Wheels | 43.2 x 22.9 cm / 17 x 9 in |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone with Coil Springs and Adjustable Dampers |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone with Coil Springs and Adjustable Dampers |
| Curb Weight | 1450 kg / 3197 lbs |
| Weight Distribution | 41 % Front / 59 % Rear |
| Wheelbase | 2270 mm / 89.4 in |
| Length | 4260 mm / 167.7 in |
| Width | 1840 mm / 72.4 in |
| Height | 1280 mm / 50.4 in |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Manual |
| Fuel Economy (Combined) | 13.0 L/100 km or 18.1 mpg-US |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 liters or 23.8 gallons |
Some Interesting Porsche 959 Facts
- Originally Built for Group B Rally Racing
The Porsche 959 was developed as a Group B rally car, designed to dominate both dirt and tarmac. It eventually evolved into one of the most technologically advanced road cars of its era. - First Porsche Supercar with All-Wheel Drive
The 959 was the first production Porsche to feature an all-wheel-drive system, called Porsche-Steuer Kupplung (PSK). It could dynamically shift power between the front and rear axles for optimal grip and performance. - Twin-Turbo Flat-Six Engine
It was powered by a 2.85-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine, derived from Porsche’s race cars, producing 450 horsepower in the standard model and 515 hp in the 959 S. - World’s Fastest Production Car in the 1980s
With a top speed of 317 km/h (197 mph), the 959 was the fastest production car in the world when it launched in 1986, beating rivals like the Ferrari F40 in speed and technology. - Advanced Suspension and Adjustable Ride Height
The 959 featured adaptive suspension that allowed the driver to change the ride height and damping on the fly, a revolutionary feature for its time. - Aerodynamic and Lightweight Bodywork
It used aluminum and Kevlar panels to reduce weight, and the aerodynamic body shape helped keep the drag coefficient down to 0.31, impressive even by today’s standards. - Won the Paris-Dakar Rally
A heavily modified 959 won the 1986 Paris-Dakar Rally, proving its durability and performance in extreme off-road conditions. - Extremely Rare – Only 292 Units Built
Porsche built just 292 production cars, making the 959 extremely rare and highly collectible. Some were even sold to VIPs before production officially began. - Bill Gates Owned One Before It Was Legal in the U.S.
Bill Gates famously bought a 959 in the 1980s, but U.S. regulations didn’t allow its importation. His car sat in storage for over a decade until the Show and Display Law was passed. - Predecessor to the Porsche 911 Turbo’s AWD and Tech
The 959 set the stage for future Porsche performance models, including the 911 Turbo with AWD, electronic driver aids, and aerodynamic advancements still seen in the 911 today.
Porsche 959 Price
The Porsche 959 is the father of all supercars—a 2.8L twin-turbo flat-six (450hp) with AWD, active suspension, and 1980s tech that still impresses. Only 337 were built, making it one of the most coveted Porsches ever.
1. Price Ranges (EUR, Mid-2024)
Standard 959 (Non-Sport, Non-Komfort)
- High-Mileage (30,000+ km): €1.5M – €2.2M
(Check turbo wear, electrical gremlins, or deferred maintenance.) - Well-Maintained (15,000–30,000 km): €2.5M – €3.5M
(Full Porsche Classic history, matching numbers, fresh Pirelli P7 tires.) - Collector-Grade (<5,000 km): €4M – €6M+
(Never modified, all delivery items, factory-fresh condition.)
Special Versions
- 959 Sport (29 Built): €6M – €8M+ (Lighter, more power.)
- "Komfort" Model: +€500k (With A/C and power windows—rarely ordered.)
- 1-of-1 Colors (e.g., Silver Metallic): +€1M (Verify with Porsche Archiv.)
2. Key Factors Affecting Value
✅ Provenance is King
- Porsche Classic Certificate: +€500k (confirms authenticity).
- One-Owner Cars: +30% premium (extremely rare).
✅ Desirable Original Features
- Uncracked Dashboard: +€100k (most are sun-damaged).
- Original Tool Kit & Luggage: +€50k (often missing).
- Factory A/C: +€30k (rarely optioned).
⚠️ Critical Watch-Outs
- K-Jetronic Injection Issues: €50k+ to rebuild properly.
- AWD System Failures: €100k+ repair if neglected.
- Non-Matching Engine: "M28/xx" must match VIN—or –50% value.
3. Where to Buy in the EU?
Official Channels
- Porsche Classic (Stuttgart): For certified cars.
- RM Sotheby’s Private Sales: Ultra-discreet transactions.
Private Sales
- 959 Registry (Elite Owner Network): Secretive high-net-worth deals.
- Classic Driver (Germany): Occasionally lists EU-stored gems.
Pro Tip: Swiss-held 959s often avoid EU import taxes until sale.
4. Market Trends
📈 1980s Hyper-Appreciation
- +15% annually since 2015 (now 10x 2005 prices).
- Sport Models trading €8M+ privately.
⚠️ Trap Warning
- "Barn Find" Claims: All 337 are accounted for—beware replicas.
- US Imports: LHD helps, but missing CE marks = €200k+ to legalize.
5. Must-Do Checks
🔧 Mechanical
- Leakdown Test: >8% loss? €300k engine rebuild at Porsche.
- Gearbox Syncros: Crunchy shifts? €150k rebuild.
📄 Paperwork
- Kardex Document: Proves original color/options.
- Service Stamps: Must show annual AWD fluid changes.
Fun Fact:
The 959’s tire-pressure monitoring system was so advanced, it shamed 1990s supercars!
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