We don't need any reminding of Porsche's on track success, especially not with the 19 time Le Mans winners having just smashed the Nurburgring lap record. What may be easier to overlook, though, is the German marque's off-road prowess.
No, not the Cayenne or Macan or any of that nonsense, but the 959, the stillborn Group B project which eventually found life at the Paris-Dakar, a race where it claimed a one-two finish in 1986. Powered by a twin-turbo 2.85-litre unit, the race spec 959 produced 400hp and was capable of up to 130mph. Off-road.
Just six examples were built, so although this particular 959 was not a part of that one-two glory, instead suffering a rather less salubrious fate, it still commands a hefty estimate. As a 1985 car it was bestowed with a naturally aspirated 3.2-litre flat-six, and failed to finish the 1985 Dakar thanks to an oil line failure, although driver Rene Metge returned the following year to claim victory.
That connection won't hurt its value, but it'll be the 959's unique history, incredible rarity, and the ever increasing cost of its road-going counterparts that'll persuade someone to pay the $3 to $3.4 million (£2.25 to £2.6 million) which the Porsche is expected to fetch.
RM Sotheby's 70th Anniversary Porsche sale in the US is where the car will go under the hammer, the first time a 959 has ever been sold at public auction. Whether that estimate turns out to be correct, we'll have to wait until October 27th to see, but whatever happens one lucky buyer is going to end up with a very special addition to their garage.
[Images: Robin Adams, for RM Auctions]
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