Ultra-Rare 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort Sells for $1.7M

Rare Machine

As pretty much every automotive enthusiast is well aware, any Porsche 959 is a special car - no matter the condition, mileage, ownership history, or any other conceivable factor. After all, this is a much-heralded supercar developed specifically for homologation purposes so that Porsche could go Group B racing, and just 292 examples were produced. However, this 1988 Porsche 959 "Komfort" model is just one of 31 finished in Graphite Metallic, which likely helped it achieve its rather stunning hammer price of $1,765,000 at the recent RM Sotheby's Las Vegas auction. 

Photos: RM Sotheby's

Trading Hands

This particular 959 was originally delivered to a customer in Italy, who was reportedly a Porsche executive who used it for his own personal reasons. It was then passed on to an American collector, who brought it to the U.S. and registered it here. Years later, in 2015, the rare machine wound up in the possession of luxury car broker Copley Motor Cars of Needham, Massachusetts, who treated it to a full mechanical rebuild via the folks at European Performance Engineering of Natick, Massachusetts.

Photos: RM Sotheby's

Moving Again

That process included rebuilding the twin-turbocharged powerplant, as well as installing a new clutch, slave cylinder, and engine control unit, all of which cost a total of $120,000. After that process was complete, the 959 was on the move again, this time heading to Australia, where the new owner took it to Porsche Center Melbourne for a full service. 

Photos: RM Sotheby's

Suspension Work

In addition to doing simple things like changing fluids, the Porsche center rebuilt the front and rear suspension of this 959, a job that cost $19,000 to complete. Regardless, over its entire lifespan, the car has also accumulated 14,540 miles, so it remains in excellent condition cosmetically speaking, inside and out. 

Photos: RM Sotheby's

Well Kept

Clearly well cared for over the years, this 959 still has its original, Italian-language warranty and service and owner’s manuals, along with the factory tool roll and plenty of paperwork documenting its maintenance and repair work over the years. 

Photos: RM Sotheby's

Road Worthy

Like most 959s, this one was delivered in Komfort spec, meaning that, unlike its more hardcore, racing-focused brethren, the car is equipped with loads of amenities including a full leather interior, air conditioning, and other niceties that one would appreciate if they actually drove the car - which in this case at least, its previous owners have to a degree.

Photos: RM Sotheby's

Appreciating Asset

Regardless, it's clear that collectors haven't lost their love for the Porsche 959 in general, given this one's lofty selling price. That doesn't figure to ever change given how rare and special the 959 is in general, with performance and style that still holds up in today's world - a full 30+ years after it shocked the world when it originally debuted. 

Photos: RM Sotheby's

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