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| Porsche 959 'Komfort' 1988 |
Whenever a car company produces a model that is capable of traveling near or above the fabled 200 mph mark, people tend to take notice. Many super exotic sports cars on sale today are just able to break that seemingly mythical barrier, showcasing the years of research put forth by their engineers and designers. In 1985, that number was almost unfathomable when Porsche unveiled the 959 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Not only could the car reach a top speed of 197 mph, but it could also do so while carrying the weight of 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.
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| Porsche 959 'Komfort' 1988 |
What made the 959 so special upon its introduction was the plethora of technological firsts for a factory-produced road car. Advanced materials included extensive use of 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. Of course, all of these breathtaking new features came with a price tag to match, a $300,000 one.
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| Porsche 959 'Komfort' 1988 |
One might draw parallels of the 959 with today’s Bugatti Veyron. Certainly, as with the Veyron, the factory lost MONEY on every one of the 283s it built, earning the model its nickname of “Porsche’s Gift to Its Favorite Customers.” Each car cost Porsche nearly twice its list price to build. In the United States, putting a 959 in your garage was even more difficult, as they were not specified to be compliant with federal DOT and emissions standards. However, that didn’t stop a few influential Americans from acquiring 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, and there is no doubt why the 959 appealed to these two titans of technology, as the engineering innovations encapsulated in the Porsche 959 were simply earth-shattering.
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| Porsche 959 'Komfort' 1988 |
Individuals who have spent time behind the wheel of air-cooled 911s will surely feel familiarity in the driver’s seat of a 959. The ignition switch still resides on the left, and the gauges are still 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, of course.
As outlined in its Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, this 1988 959 Komfort model was finished tastefully in SILVER, with a burgundy leather interior and contrasting seat inserts in tri-tone silver and grey. This 959 was originally delivered to Spain, and its first owner was a well-known industrialist who kept it in his possession until 2006, when it was purchased by its second owner, Mr. Robert Slutz, who also resided in Spain.
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| Porsche 959 'Komfort' 1988 |
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, under the very law that was created to allow its importation. Upon arriving at Autosport, this 959 received a complete engine-out service that totaled to nearly $40,000, bringing it to its current, freshly maintained and outstanding driving condition.
As the 959 was never originally offered in the United States, freshly imported and well-sorted examples are in high demand by collectors. At its introduction, the 959 was light-years ahead of its time in terms of technology, engineering, and performance, and many would argue that it set the stage for the 21st century supercar, even showcasing features that may yet become standard fare in tomorrow’s supercars. This 959, which is in spectacular original condition is a quality example of one of Porsche’s most innovative and legendary sports cars.
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