1988 Porsche Type 959 Coupe

When Porsche unveiled their Type 595 at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1985, exceeding 200 mph in a street car was almost unfathomable. The Type 959 had a top speed of 197 mph, but it achieved that figure while carrying a number of features that were considered non-essential to chasing a world-record top speed, and many of which that had never been seen on a production car before. The cars were given a plethora of technological firsts for a factory-production road car. They had advanced materials such as carbon-Kevlar and aluminum to form the main tub and surrounding body panels. An adjustable suspension with rear hydraulics, an active four-wheel drive system, tire pressure sensors, and hollow-spoke magnesium wheels were all advanced technologies that were years ahead of their time.

With a hefty price tag of $300,000 per example, the company lost money on every one of the 283 it produced, earning the model its nickname of 'Porsche's Gift to its Favorite Customers.' Each car cost Porsche nearly twice its list price to build. Individuals in the United States who wanted to own a 959, was out of luck. The cars were not compliant with federal DOT and emissions standards. Though they were not legal to drive on the street, several influential Americans acquired Porsche's newest supercar under the newly created Show and Display law of 1999. The law was championed by 959 owners Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

Inside, the ignition switch resides on the left, and the guards are spread across the dash, with the tachometer located in the center. The leather-swathed seat pattern was new and unique to the 959, and the seats were electronically adjustable.

This particular 1988 959 Komfort left the factory in silver, with a burgundy leather interior and contrasting seat inserts in tri-tone silver and grey. The car was delivered new to Spain, and its first owner kept the car until 2006, when it was purchased by its second owner, Mr. Robert Slutz, also of Spain. In 2011, Mr. Slutz relocated to the United States, and this 959 was imported by Autosport Designs, Inc., in Huntington Station, New York, on his behalf.

The car has its original books, tools, first aid kit, jack, air compressor, and extra keys. The odometer currently shows just under 22,000 kilometers (approximately 13,000 miles).

The engine is a rear-mounted 2849cc horizontally opposed six-cylinder unit with twin two-stage turbochargers and intercooling. The engine produces 450 horsepower which is sent to all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. At all four corners are hydraulically ventilated disc brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2014