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1986 Porsche 959 Prototype at Barrett-Jackson sees gavel fall at $440,000 [UPDATE: w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 20:40:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Videos, Porsche, Specialty

Fans of Porsche in America have longed for the chance to buy a 959 ever since the German automaker produced and sold it (well, sold it everywhere but the United States...) in the 1980s. Well, they just had their chance. The car you see above is a Porsche 959 prototype built in 1986, and only one other running prototype still exists.

The 959 prototype can't be driven on public roads, as it carries no such certification. Somehow, we doubt that matters all that much to the new buyer - this one is probably going to be sitting in a collection. When the gavel finally fell, bidding had reached $400,000, plus a 10-percent buyer's fee.

Check out our high-res image gallery above to see this prototype up close, and scroll down below to watch a video of it crossing the auction block and for its official auction description.

*UPDATE: Check out a video clip of the car's auction below.

Continue reading 1986 Porsche 959 Prototype at Barrett-Jackson sees gavel fall at $440,000 [UPDATE: w/video]

1986 Porsche 959 Prototype at Barrett-Jackson sees gavel fall at $440,000 [UPDATE: w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original Porsche 959 prototype will be on the block at Barrett-Jackson auction

Michael Harley — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:45:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Porsche

The Porsche 959 was arguably the finest supercar of its era (1986-1989). Beneath its fiberglass-reinforced Kevlar and aluminum body panels hid some of the world's most advanced automotive technology, including an innovative all-wheel-drive system, a twin-shock suspension offering adjustable ride height and damping, four-channel ABS and run-flat tires. With the power of its rear-mounted twin-turbocharged 2.8-liter flat-six, developing 450 horsepower, the Porsche was capable of hitting 60 miles per hour in less than four seconds and a top speed of nearly 200 mph - performance numbers that are still highly respectable today.

If you've always wanted to get your hands on one (legal issues kept Porsche from importing the $225,000 coupe to the States in the 1980s), now is the time. Barrett-Jackson will be auctioning a 1986 Porsche 959 factory prototype at its Scottsdale event next week. This particular vehicle, a V-series prototype based on a 930 Turbo platform, was used for chassis development, brake engineering and high-speed testing. Porsche built 29 prototypes like it, but most were scrapped after the program ended. According to Barrett-Jackson, it is one of just two running prototypes and one of only four survivors.

Before you whip out your checkbook and plan your 959 summer road trip, you should know that this prototype isn't certified for public roads (and its odd stance suggests that it needs a bit of work to get back into running shape). Regardless, with a history this interesting, its value is only going up.

Original Porsche 959 prototype will be on the block at Barrett-Jackson auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch this vintage Porsche 911 channel its Dakar roots

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Porsche, Off-Road

We've grown accustomed to seeing all manner of modified machinery power through the sand in an attempt to get to the top of a hill. We're even used to seeing vintage German machinery do the deed... that is, if you count sand rails and buggies built using air-cooled Volkswagen Beetle bits and pieces.

What we're not generally prepared for, however, is a Porsche 911 - considered by many to be the quintessential road-going sports car - joining the motocross bikes, Jeeps and other various four-wheelers at the hill climb. Except for perhaps one place: Dakar. Porsche won the event with a 911 in 1984 and then again in 1986 with the legendary 959.

So, vintage Porsche 911s are clearly up to snuff when it comes to traversing the dunes, so long as they are properly modified to do so. We have no idea what modifications the owner of the 911 has performed other than a cool set of driving lights, but we do know that he made it to the top of a pretty gnarly looking hill.

Watch it go up and back down again the video after the break.

Continue reading Watch this vintage Porsche 911 channel its Dakar roots

Watch this vintage Porsche 911 channel its Dakar roots originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: When Group B monsters roamed the earth

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Audi, Porsche, Ferrari, Renault, Peugeot, Lancia

Group B monsters in action - Click above to watch video after the jump

Though it only existed for four short years, Group B racing has continued to captivate fans of all ages. From 1982 through 1986, motorsports enthusiasts around the world gathered en masse to watch Lancia, Audi, Renault and Peugeot battle for supremacy. Ferrari and Porsche even got in on the action with the legendary 288 GTO and 959, respectively. The cars were lightweight, powerful and sounded like they built in Hell by the Devil himself. In other words, the cars were a sight to behold and a treat to the ears. They were also incredibly dangerous.

Large groups of people stood on the edge of the road as the beasts rumbled by at triple-digit speeds. Accidents happened and there were a number of fatal incidents for both drivers and viewers alike. In 1986, the FIA banned Group B cars, but the legendary vehicles are still held in high regard. If you need a refresher, roar past the jump to watch the Group B monsters in action.

Once you've watched the clip, sound off in the comments and let us know what you think would be the most terrifying vehicle to try and pilot. Group B cars are near the top of the list but we're sure you can think of some others... Top Fuel Dragsters, board-track racers, land-speed record streamliners...

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: When Group B monsters roamed the earth

Video: When Group B monsters roamed the earth originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stuttgart meets SoCal at the PCA-GPX Queen Mary Concours

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Performance, Supercars, Porsche, Event Alert

Click above for massive high-res gallery of some of Stuttgart's finest

The Grand Prix region of the Porsche Club of America (PCA-GPX) is centered in the Long Beach area of Southern California. It takes its name from the Grand Prix held every year since 1975 on the streets of the coastal city south of Los Angeles. Besides getting together for the race every year, the PCA-GPX also hosts a number of driving and dining events throughout the year, including a spectacular concours d'elegance in the shadow of the Queen Mary.

We tagged along with the 356 Club this year to see what the show was like. Besides seeing some of the greatest Porsche models from the past 50 years, we also met some great people, had some terrific food, and learned a thing or two about the 356, 911, 912, 964, 993, 996, 997, and the rest of the offerings from Stuttgart and Weissach. We rekindled our love affair with the iconic Gruppe B-inspired 959, we made a new friend in the form of the 1977 SCCA Trans-Am Championship-winning 934.5 and we spotted an "Outlaw" 356 with a 3.3-liter 930 turbo motor that's probably as fast as either of those two.

Primarily we discovered that despite the state of the automotive industry, one thing remains true: people are still celebrating their cars. Join the celebration by checking out the massive gallery below.

Gallery: Stuttgart meets SoCal at the PCA-GPX Queen Mary Concours

Stuttgart meets SoCal at the PCA-GPX Queen Mary Concours originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 May 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Porsche 959 takes the Paris-Dakar Rally

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 21 May 2007 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Supercars, Porsche

In the early '80s, the FIA devised a new set of rules for production based race cars that could be used for both track racing and rallying. The Group B rules spawned some of the wildest homologation specials devised at that time. Under the rules, a minimum of 200 production models had to be built (not necessarilly sold) and then evolution specials could be derived from those. Some of the products of Group B were the MG Metro 6R4, Ford RS200, Peugeot 205 Ti16, Ferrari 288 GTO and the Porsche 959.

Only a couple of GTO Evoluzione models were built and they eventually spawned the legendary F40. Most of the Group B cars ended up competing in rallies around the world and were the ancestors of the later World Rally Cars like the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Evo. Many of the production models remained unsold for years and ended up going at fire sale prices, especially after a spate of rally accidents with the high powered Group B cars that prompted the FIA to cancel the whole category.

There's more after the jump including two incredible videos of the 959 in action.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Continue reading VIDEO: Porsche 959 takes the Paris-Dakar Rally

VIDEO: Porsche 959 takes the Paris-Dakar Rally originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 May 2007 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuner Tuesday: Turning an XJ220 S into a Q-ship

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Europe, Supercars, Jaguar

Winding Road was recently at a California exotic car dealer and spotted this rare Jaguar XJ220 S supercar. One of only nine made, this semi-race version of the big cat was redone by TWR to coax 680 hp and 527 ft-lbs. of torque from its turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. It also went on an extreme diet, replacing the all-aluminum body with one made of carbon fiber, making the cat good for 0-60 in 3.3 seconds on its march to a top end of 228 mph. Shouldn't it be renamed the XJ228 then?

Three of these cars were raced and six were sold as street cars with several finding their way to L.A., passing through one of the Keuylian dealerships. This particular XJ (and a nearly identical black one) have received custom Kinesis wheels and new Infiniti Q45 projector headlights. These slight changes instantly take 10 years off the age of these 1993 supercars.

It might be hard for many people to remember, but the XJ220 was a project that saw Jaguar at the top of the supercar hill for a brief shining moment, despite lengthy delays and detail changes to the car over its development period. Following the F40 and 959, and immediately preceding the McLaren F1, the XJ220 didn't quite match its eponymous speed, but came close at 217. Of course, Gordon Murray made that a moot point anyhow, and the crumbling supercar market almost killed Jaguar altogether. We're glad to see one of these still rolling and looking just as beautiful as ever with its new eyes. Click the read link for a few more pics.

[Source: Winding Road]

Tuner Tuesday: Turning an XJ220 S into a Q-ship originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Mar 2007 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What do billionaires drive? Same cars as the rest of us...

Noah Joseph — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 20:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

If you had a net worth in the billions of dollars, what would you drive? A bright red Ferrari? The million-dollar Bugatti Veyron? The super-luxurious Maybach 62? How about one of each? You may be surprised to find out what Forbes' Top Ten richest people in the world are driving. Not an exotic Italian supercar among them.

Bill Gates drives a '99 Porsche 911 cabrio. He's also got a rare Porsche 959, for which he got President Clinton to sign a law legalizing it for road use. Now that's some serious clout, but with $50 billion at his disposal and a taste for Stuttgart's finest, wouldn't a Carrera GT or a new 911 Turbo have found a way into his garage?
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett drives a Lincoln Town Car Signature Series, complete with landau roof.
IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad has a '93 Volvo 240 GL, but prefers taking the bus. Seriously. And he uses his senior-citizen's card, too.
Like his pal Bill, Mircosoft co-founder Paul Allen has a Porsche 959 (how original), but drives around Washington State mostly in an '88 Mazda B-Series pickup.
Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, meanwhile, has got the Infiniti FX45, Hummer H1, Volvo XC90, Rolls Royce Phantom and Daewoo Matiz in his garage. Two of each, so that his entourage can follow in identical wheels. (If the Daewoo seems out of place, it's because the prince is part owner of the company.)
Michael Dell (whose name is probably emblazoned on the computer you're using to read this) alternates between a 2004 Porsche Boxster and a 2005 Hummer H2.
Larry "the Oracle" Ellison has got wheels with some style: a pair of new Bentley Continentals, a GT coupe and a Flying Spur sedan. (They go well with his fighter jet and America's Cup racing yacht.)
Jim Walton, owner of Wal-Mart, has for a garage what you'll probably find at the local used car lot: a 2002 Dodge Dakota, '99 Chevy Silverado, '98 Mitsubishi Montero Sport and 2000 Acura Integra, all available at everyday low prices. (His '59 Cadillac is probably a sweet ride, though.)
Jim's sister Alice Walton walked after killing a woman in '89 behind the wheel of a Porsche. Now she drives an F-150 King Ranch pickup. (More carefuly, we hope.)
Like his colleagues Bill and Paul, Steven Ballmer made his billions at Microsoft, but he stays true to his motown roots at the wheel of a '98 Lincoln Continental.

We know what you're thinking. "If I had that kinda money...". But you don't. Neither do we. So we'll all just keep on dreaming. Follow the link to Forbes for pics of these millionaire-mobiles (not the actual ones owned by wealthy, just stock shots).

[Source: Forbes Auto]

Continue reading What do billionaires drive? Same cars as the rest of us...

What do billionaires drive? Same cars as the rest of us... originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Sep 2006 20:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Porsche 959

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Porsche

Between limited edition beanie babies and water glasses adorned with the lipstick marks of Yasmine Bleeth, eBay proves to be the useful sales source for all things obscure. For the consummate speed junkie, however, it doesn't get more day dreamy than a Porsche 959 and it seems that this owner, possibly of unsound mind, has decided to unload this bastion of late 80's asphalt displacement.

What more can be said about the 959? The stats speak for themselves. The 959 was the first Porsche to dawn AWD, it produced 450 hp, weighed just shy of 3,000 pounds and dispatched the run to 60 mph in a paltry 3.5 seconds. In 1986! As successful as the 959 was, our favorite motor sports campaign has to go to the Dakar Rally machine (pictured) that claimed a 1-2 victory in 1986.

Beauty and perfection are now available for bidding. Now who's going to pony up the cash and give us a ride?

[Dennis made our morning with this tip.]

eBay Find of the Day: Porsche 959 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Aug 2006 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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