959 Komfort Needs Plenty of TLC from Lucky New Owner
Ultra-rare 959 used to be able to hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, now needs a trailer to hit the repair shop.
The Porsche 959 is one of those special cars whose legend was established immediately upon birth. The Eighties exotic was designed with FIA’s infamous Group B in mind, though it had to “settle” for merely being the world’s fastest street-legal production car when Group B died in the same year the 959 debuted. And thanks to former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, who owns one of these rare exotics, we’re able to bring in a few examples that would otherwise not be allowed on our shores for at least 25 years via the Show or Display statutory amendment.
Of course, all 959s are welcome to come over now that the youngest is 25 years old. Not all of them, however, have made the journey intact. Case in point: this 1987 959 Komfort model up for bid during Mecum’s annual visit to Monterey, California August 23 through 25.
Before this 959 met its unfortunate fate, it was able to hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, thanks to the twin-turbo 2.8-liter flat-six pushing 444 horses through the six-speed manual to all four corners, one of the first exotic cars to boast all-wheel drive.
Wrapped around in silver body panels, the 959 Komfort lives up to its name, beginning with the lovely burgundy leather with gray inserts in the power seats. The windows are also powered, all the better to quickly isolate oneself from the rumble of the flat-six in order to better hear Phil Collins play his famous drum break via the Blaupunkt radio and stereo system.
With only 3,657 miles on the odometer, this 959 is ready to add a few more once it’s repaired. Despite the damage up front, the 959 is still expected to make bank for Mecum with an estimated final bid between $450,000 and $500,000. May the lucky bidder know of a good Porsche repair shop, as it would be a waste to leave the 959 in its current state.
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