Chassis No. WP0ZZZ95ZHS900083 The German language is famous for its hyper-specific expressions: Kalkulationsfehler (financial mistake), Glück im Unglück (silver lining), and Tausendkünstler (jack of all trades). All of these descriptions, and more, apply to the Porsche 959, the brand's first true supercar. A technological marvel born in the mid-1980s, the 959 was an engineering test bed that filtered its advancements down to the 911 lineup for well over a decade. But it was also a financial headache. The project was riddled with delays and massive cost overruns that created a cloud of uncertainty around its production. Today, that fog has lifted, revealing the 959 for what it truly is: a dramatic showcase of advanced technology and speed. In the early 1980s, Porsche was driven to prove its technological dominance honed through decades of racing. The "Gruppe B" 959 project was created for this very purpose. Turbocharging, which first appeared on the 1972 917/10 Can-Am racer, made its way to their first turbocharged road car, the 1975 911 Turbo, and eventually to the 959. It was a similar story with engine cooling. Porsche’s racing program had reached the thermal limit of its air-cooled flat-six engines, so water-cooled heads appeared on the victorious 956 endurance prototype in 1982, and just a few years later, the 959 was the beneficiary of these successful experiments. Self-leveling suspension, traction control, tire pressure monitoring, ABS, and composite body construction all seem commonplace today, but each of these systems was still in its infancy when it was first applied to the 959. Porsche wasn’t content with simply piecing together a supercar from existing race parts. The company entered the 959 in two of the most demanding arenas in motorsport: the 24 Hours of Le Mans (as the 961) and the Paris-Dakar Rally. The 959 was triumphant in both. At its 1986 debut at Le Mans, it finished first in class and seventh overall. It fared even better crossing the desert sands of Africa in the ultimate test of durability and endurance, finishing first, second, and sixth in the 1986 Paris-Dakar Rally. By the time the 959 was ready for production, all the incredible technology, testing, and racing led to an issue that additional power or better handling couldn't solve: the program had drastically exceeded its budget. As a result, Porsche lost money on every single 959 sold. In effect, those lucky enough to purchase a new 959 for roughly DM 430.000 were getting a massive discount on the actual production cost due to the high levels of engineering investment typical of Porsche. Despite the 959’s outsized reputation, just 266 959 Komforts and, later, a smaller number of Sports were produced. Chassis number 900083, a “C00” German-market example, is one of these rare 266 Komforts produced in 1987 and finished in November of that year. The original owner optioned the car in the rare shade of Graphite Metallic, one of just 34 so selected. Even rarer is the “Z-Code” Special Wishes Wagenfarbe or body-color wheels option selected when new as noted on the build sheet as Option Code 03981. Furthermore, the groundbreaking supercar was ordered with a Dark Grey Metallic leather interior optioned with Heated Front Seats, Left and Right Electric Height Adjustable Sports Seats, and an Alarm System. Naturally, the front and rear seats were selected in the iconic tri-color pattern so emblematic of 1980s-style Porsche. The 959’s service book records that this 959 was first sold to Frank Maser of Bielefeld, Germany in November 1987. Later it was registered on Böblingen number plates “BBY959” and then imported to Italy at the end of 1999. Its second Italian owner, who acquired the car in 2013, is noted as the owner of Napoli Calcio and SRL Filmauro. Service book stamps show regular maintenance at the factory and then Centro Porsche Padova, including work in 2013, 2014, and in 2018. In 2018, chassis number 900083 joined The Aleggria Collection. The car’s current excellent condition is commensurate with the indicated odometer reading of 49,869 kilometers with just 484 km added by the current custodian during their seven years with the car. The Porsche 959 was a ground-breaking supercar featuring an array of technological feats wrapped up in one amazing package and today it remains the exemplar 1980s supercar. Chassis number 900083 includes its German-delivery owner’s manual and combination service book as well as an Italian language version from its time in Italy, multi-piece tool kit, and VIN Analytics build sheet. Rare is the opportunity to acquire a well-documented and unmodified 959 in a rare color at auction. This excellent example of Porsche’s first supercar awaits its next caretaker. Temporary Import: This Lot is in Belgium on a temporary import bond, which must be discharged by the Buyer either by directly re-exporting the Lot or by paying the relevant customs duty, import VAT and other applicable fees to permanently import the Lot into Belgium or another European Union country as permitted. Any Lot subject to temporary import restrictions cannot be released from Broad Arrow’s custody without the completion of these procedures. Customs charges will be assessed based on the Lot’s value and according to the circumstances of each sale and may be payable by the Buyer either to Broad Arrow, its customs agent and/or directly to the relevant tax authority.