The Porsche 959 was developed in the early 1980s as a cutting-edge, four-wheel-drive Group B rally car designed to highlight Porsche’s technological advancements. First revealed as a concept at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show, it entered limited production despite canceling its intended competition class. Two variants were available: the Komfort, offering more extraordinary luxury, and the Sport, a more performance-focused version.
Blending advanced racing technology with road-going usability, the 959 remains one of the most innovative supercars ever built. At its core was a 2.8-liter, twin-turbocharged flat-six engine with water-cooled, four-valve cylinder heads—technology first used in Porsche’s dominant Le Mans-winning 936 and later refined in the 956/962. Producing 450 horsepower, this engine, combined with a lightweight composite body and a low drag coefficient of 0.32, enabled the 959 to exceed 195 mph, making it the fastest production car.
Its advanced all-wheel-drive system, controlled by an onboard computer, allowed variable torque distribution with settings for dry, wet, icy, or off-road conditions. The six-speed manual transmission later influenced the Carrera 4’s drivetrain. The suspension featured double wishbones with electronically adjustable ride height, while anti-lock brakes and run-flat tires with pressure monitoring ensured safety and reliability.
Despite its performance, the 959 maintained everyday usability with features such as power windows, climate control, heated seats, and a premium stereo system. Unlike rivals that sacrificed comfort for speed, the 959 combined blistering performance with refined handling and full interior amenities. In total, Porsche built just 292 units of this rare supercar.
This 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort, listed for sale on Bring A Trailer, is one of those 292 examples. Completed in May 1988, it was initially delivered to its first owner in Geneva, Switzerland, before being imported to Canada in 2010. It has been with its current owner for four years.
Finished in Grand Prix White over black leather, it retains its original 2.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six, rebuilt in 2016, paired with a six-speed manual transmission and Porsche’s advanced PSK all-wheel-drive system. Other notable features include adjustable suspension, ventilated anti-lock brakes, 17-inch hollow-spoke magnesium wheels, a tire-pressure monitoring system, power-adjustable sport seats, air conditioning, and a Blaupunkt Bremen cassette stereo.
Source: Bring A Trailer
