Ferdinand Piëch's Porsche 959 Vorserie Is Up for Grabs

The 959 Was Porsche’s First Supercar

Widely dubbed as Porsche’s first true supercar, the 959 was an engineering marvel that laid the groundwork for flagship models for decades to come. In a way, it’s considered the grandfather of the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder. Developed in the early 1980s, it was built to compete in the Group B rally series. Porsche’s engineering team enjoyed the freedom to innovate, incorporating technologies such as sequential turbochargers, adjustable self-levelling suspension, kevlar body panels, and lightweight magnesium wheels and ABS brakes. The 959 packs a turbocharged 2.8-liter DOHC flat-six engine derived from the 962 race car, complete with water-cooled heads with an impressive 444 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque sending power to the intelligent four-wheel drive system though a six-speed PSK manual transmission.

Under the leadership of Helmuth Bott and Manfred Bantle, these advancements set a new standard in supercar development. Bott’s predecessor, Ferdinand Piëch, recognized the potential of the 959 early on and endorsed its development, shielding the engineering team from the repercussions of the project’s significant budget overruns. As I mentioned previously, Porsche built three variants of prototypes of the 959 that were based on 930 Turbos. F-Series for testing electrical systems, N-Series which were pilot vehicles, and V-Series, which served as test mules for chassis and ABS testing.

The 959 Prototype (V5) Had Some Unique Touches

This particular model is the only one thoroughly documented by Porsche factory test driver, Dieter Röscheisen. Ferdinand Piëch eventually secured this prototype.

Unique Features Include

• Grandprix white exterior

• Grey cloth interior with Komfort specifications (now reupholstered in black leather)

• Single exterior mirror

• Fuel filler cap sealed by the hood

• Rear seats

• Rear fender ducts

• Front fenders without pop-up headlight washers

• Slightly different front fenders than a standard 959

After Piëch sold the car in 1987, it changed hands several times, including ownership by chef Hasi Unterberger and automotive photographer Rene Staud. The Porsche 959 was eventually introduced to the public for the 1986 model year and quickly reshaped the supercar market with its performance and technology. It briefly also held the title of the fastest production car in the world with a top speed of 317 km/h (196 mph) and went up against the likes of the Ferrari F40.

The 959’s legacy lies not only in its groundbreaking technology but also in its status as a cultural icon. It is celebrated for its performance, aesthetics, and comfort, making it a highly sought-after collector’s item. The upcoming auction at RM Sotheby’s represents a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire a piece of automotive history and the 1985 959 Vorserie prototype set to fetch between $1.8-$2.3 million, certainly exemplifies the pinnacle of Porsche engineering and design. But to give you some context of how the market has moved over the past decade, another 959 Vorserie crossed the auction block for $737,000 in 2013.