Formerly the property of ex-Formula 1 Driver Eddie Irvine
1988 Porsche 959 Komfort

2,850cc DOHC Opposed 6-Cylinder Engine
Twin Turbochargers with Bosch MP-Jetronic Fuel Injection
450bhp at 6,100rpm
6-Speed Manual Transaxle - All-wheel Drive
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Porsche's groundbreaking high-tech supercar
*Fully refurbished by Porsche Classic Factory Restoration
*Formerly owned by the charismatic F1 people's hero, Eddie Irvine
*Accompanied by receipts, ownership records, tools, books, and COA
*One of only 292 examples built
*39,700km shown at cataloguing
*Fully equipped with Komfort options
*Beautifully presented in Graphite Metallic over Dark Grey leather

THE PORSCHE 959

Porsche's incredible Type 959 was the company's first true supercar. The world's fastest and quickest road car in its day, it realized a mind-boggling array of advanced features that other automakers were only beginning to dream about. The 959 had it all: A powerful and technically advanced powerplant derived from the world-beating 956/962 prototypes, a high-tech composite body and lightweight chassis, adjustable ride height, huge ABS brakes, run-flat tires, hollow-spoke wheels, all-wheel drive, selectable drive modes, and much more. The 959 was born of Porsche's need to continue development of its bread-and-butter 911, and it served as a rolling laboratory for future technology. Chief Engineer Helmuth Bott convinced the company's new CEO, Peter Schutz, to approve a program that would include a four-wheel-drive system, and Bott felt that the best place to demonstrate that technology would be the FIA's new Group B category – a two-pronged racing and rallying formula conceived for highly-modified production cars in which there were virtually no rules other than a minimum production number. Manufacturers had to produce at least 200 street-legal units, so in 1981 Porsche set to work developing their contender, assigned the project number Type 961. The homologation version would be named the Type 959.

Porsche was always known for clever interpretation of rule books, and the 959 was no exception. While sharing its familiar roofline with the production 911, the monocoque body shell, built on the Carrera's 89.4-inch wheelbase, was constructed of aluminum, carbon-fiber, and Aramid (Kevlar)-reinforced plastic. The floor panels were made of Nomex. To take maximum aerodynamic advantage, the body was stretched lengthwise nearly a foot and widened to a full six feet. The rather blunt nose was molded of polyurethane, and the tail section contained various air inlets and vents and a full-width spoiler. Careful attention to smoothing airflow around the body, including a full under-tray, helped the car achieve a relatively good drag coefficient of 0.31, and the use of those lightweight materials helped hold the car's weight to less than 3,200 lbs., despite its tech-laden underpinnings.

Powering the 959 is a 2.85-liter flat six with air-cooled cylinders and water-cooled four-valve heads, a design well-proven by the Type 956 and 962 which dominated Group C and IMSA GTP racing throughout the 1980s. With lightweight alloy pistons and titanium connecting rods, twin sequential KKK turbochargers, and advanced Motronic engine management, the 959 produced 450 horsepower at 6500 rpm running .9 Bar of boost, with 369 foot-pounds of torque at 5500 rpm. The transmission included five forward gears plus an ultra-low first cog, or "G" gear, for off-road crawling, yet the 959 could also touch nearly 200 mph, demonstrating the vast scope of its abilities – as proven by the likes of Rene Metge and Jackie Ickx on the Paris-Dakar rally. Roadholding was equally impressive, with massive traction thanks to full-time all-wheel drive, adjustable locking diffs, and height-adjustable suspension. Huge power-assisted disc brakes with anti-lock could haul the 959 to a stop with alacrity from any speed without fuss or bother.

Unveiled as the "Gruppe B" concept at the 1983 Frankfurt auto show, the 959 was, without doubt, a technological tour de force, and would-be customers flooded Porsche with orders for the production versions. But before the 959 could be proven in competition, the FIA abruptly canceled Group B in the wake of serious crashes and fatalities on the rally stages. Porsche had no choice but to continue the project so it could recover the 959's staggering development costs. Full-scale production began in 1987, and a total of 292 examples – including 29 lighter-weight "Sport" versions intended for the U.S. market - would be constructed. Despite losing money on every 959 built, Porsche later justified the costs as the car's technology later trickled down to the standard 911 line.

A hero car of the 1980s and beyond, images of the 959 have graced the bedroom walls of many a budding car enthusiast. It remains – along with its antithesis and nemesis, the Ferrari F40 – one of the greatest supercars ever conceived.

THE CAR OFFERED

Finished in Graphite Metallic over a Dark Grey multi-tone leather interior, this superb 959 is a highly documented, beautifully maintained example of Porsche's revolutionary supercar. Originally delivered via Porsche of Austria, this car spent many years in the United Kingdom, with prior ownership including ex-Jaguar and Ferrari Formula 1 driver Eddie Irvine – the outspoken, brassy, wildly popular Driver of the People from Northern Ireland.

More recently, this car has received a comprehensive refurbishment by the Porsche Classic Restoration department, totaling nearly 250,000 Euros. The 959 is known to require specialist care, so who better than the factory's own specialists to provide that care? The summary of the work shows that every aspect of the car received attention including the paintwork, engine, drivetrain, suspension, and interior, along with 25,000 Euros worth of upgrades.

Brilliantly presented with gorgeous Graphite Metallic paintwork and dark silver wheels, it is a jaw-dropping car to behold. In stark contrast to its chief rival, the Ferrari F40, the 959 is downright luxurious, and this car features signature multi-tone leather seats, plus gray carpeting, and an uprated Sport three-spoke steering wheel. Unlike some 959s that have been mothballed for decades, this car has been driven with purpose and shows a modest 39,700km (approx. 24,600 miles) at the time of cataloguing. Reflective of the mileage, it has been properly maintained as evident by the extensive history file and stamped original service booklet.

Accompanying documentation includes receipts from Porsche Classic, original owner's manuals, tools, Certificate of Authenticity, and ownership records. While the sale of any 959 represents a special opportunity, this example stands above others thanks to its meticulous factory restoration and provenance with one of Formula 1's most dynamic and colorful personalities.