1988 Porsche Type 959

Even by today's standards, to have a supercar with a backseat seems practically impossible and not a little bit wrong. Porsche would not heed conventional wisdom, in fact, the company would be at the fore of laying out just what a supercar really was. Its tool for this teaching lesson would be its ground-breaking 959.

Only between 329 and 337 examples of the Porsche 959 would ever be produced, but if there was ever an opportunity to see one it had to be taken because each and every one would be integral to drafting the rules of exotic sportscars.

Chassis 900203 would be one of those rare examples of Porsche's supercar. A Komfort model option, the car was so far ahead of its time that it went a long way to redefine what was possible. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.8-liter flat-six engine producing more than 440hp. The result would be a sub-four second 0-60 time and a top speed of 190mph. All such figures were nearly unheard of at the time of its debut.

Produced in 1988, this particular example would be ordered from the factory by Dr. Friedrich Christian Flick. Flick's name would register in the memory of many being the grandson of Friedrich Flick, the Nazi sympathizer and founder of the Flick industrial empire.

Trained as a lawyer initially, Flick would turn his interests toward his other passion, which was that of an art collector. Living in Switzerland throughout the late-1970s and beyond, Flick would enjoy some famous relationships and would enjoy the finer things in life. The new Porsche supercar fit his lifestyle and name perfectly.

Featuring an exclusive Porsche finish that was used just three times, and complete with such comfortable amenities as custom-ordered leather, electric height adjustment, heated seats and an alarm system, the car was not only ahead of its time performance-wise.

Still presented with its original tool kit, handbooks, keys and custom-made leather folio with Dr. Flick's name, everything is nearly as it would have been when first delivered back in 1988.

About the only change from then to now is the number of miles registered on the odometer. Still, with just 32,000km miles, and the fact the car was maintained at the Porsche factory, it is little wonder why the car presents itself as it does.

Offered for sale as part of Gooding & Company's 2015 Pebble Beach auction, the 1988 959 would be one of a handful of top-end Porsches readied for new owners. And, it would be well-received.

Considered, at the time, the ultimate supercar, the 959 Komfort seemed to offer it all. Not only would it have the straight-line performance, but it would also add to it the handling. In fact, handling was to be optimized in the creation of the 959, and, given the car's reputation as a collector favorite just 20 years after its debut, it would be hard to argue that Porsche didn't achieve all of its goals, and then some.

Modern-day supercars are already commanding top money, certainly the 959 Komfort demanded such consideration itself. And, if the result at Pebble Beach this year is any indication, the 959 has not been overlooked, not by any stretch of the imagination.

Drawing pre-auction estimates ranging from between $1,600,000 and $1,800,000, the final sale price of $1,732,500 would do the reputation of the 959 Komfort justice.

By Jeremy McMullen