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One of the original factory cars used by engineers to develop the groundbreaking 1980s supercar
In just a few days one of the original Porsche 959 factory prototypes will come across the Barrett-Jackson auction block in the USA. Said to be one of only four surviving prototypes and one of only two running survivors this is among the rarest of the rare when it comes to Porsche sports cars.
Barrett-Jackson's listing gives extensive details on the provenance of this Porsche 959. Specifically it details how for three years Porsche engineers studied and worked on 959 prototypes and designs prior to its debut at the 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show.
It goes on to explain that these early pre-production models actually carried Porsche 930 Turbo chassis numbers. In 1985, Helmut Bot, head of the 959 development, took 29 of these 930 chassis to turn them into 959 prototypes coded F, N and V. They were then used for road tests, crush tests and media coverage. The 959 up for auction is one of seven V-series prototypes.
Amazingly most of the 29 prototypes were destroyed by Porsche leaving just four intact. This 959 is so correct it is said to not only have the proper prototype wheels, but the original pre-production Dunlop tyres as well.
Porsche is no longer releasing/selling prototypes to the public so it's highly unlikely an opportunity like this will ever present itself again. With just over 300 959s produced for sale this is truly a "holy grail" type opportunity.
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?ln=5011&aid=466
In just a few days one of the original Porsche 959 factory prototypes will come across the Barrett-Jackson auction block in the USA. Said to be one of only four surviving prototypes and one of only two running survivors this is among the rarest of the rare when it comes to Porsche sports cars.
Barrett-Jackson's listing gives extensive details on the provenance of this Porsche 959. Specifically it details how for three years Porsche engineers studied and worked on 959 prototypes and designs prior to its debut at the 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show.
It goes on to explain that these early pre-production models actually carried Porsche 930 Turbo chassis numbers. In 1985, Helmut Bot, head of the 959 development, took 29 of these 930 chassis to turn them into 959 prototypes coded F, N and V. They were then used for road tests, crush tests and media coverage. The 959 up for auction is one of seven V-series prototypes.
Amazingly most of the 29 prototypes were destroyed by Porsche leaving just four intact. This 959 is so correct it is said to not only have the proper prototype wheels, but the original pre-production Dunlop tyres as well.
Porsche is no longer releasing/selling prototypes to the public so it's highly unlikely an opportunity like this will ever present itself again. With just over 300 959s produced for sale this is truly a "holy grail" type opportunity.
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?ln=5011&aid=466
