Porsche history · 1986–1988
Porsche 959: History, Specs & What to Know
By CarWhere Research · Updated
The Porsche 959 is a twin-turbocharged, all-wheel-drive supercar conceived for Group B and first shown as the 'Gruppe B' study at the 1983 Frankfurt show. Porsche built 292 series cars from 1986 to 1988. With 450 PS and a 315 km/h top speed, it was the first series-production Porsche with all-wheel drive.
The FIA introduced Group B rules in 1982 for very powerful GT cars that could also compete in the World Rally Championship. Homologation required at least 200 series-production cars, and Porsche had confirmed orders for that many shortly after showing the 'Gruppe B' study in 1983.
The 959 never raced in the World Rally Championship; the FIA banned Group B cars there at the end of 1986. Instead it went to the Paris-Dakar rally: three 959s with 911 engines all retired in 1985, and in 1986 René Metge and Dominique Lemoyne won with Jacky Ickx second. The road car cost DM 420,000.
959 history: what changed, year by year
- 1981 — Porsche shows the 911 Turbo 3.3 4x4 Cabriolet concept; all-wheel-drive development begins on the 911.[1]
- 1982 — The FIA introduces Group B.[1]
- 1983 — The 'Gruppe B' study is shown at the Frankfurt IAA.[1]
- 1984 — An all-wheel-drive 911 Carrera 3.2 4x4 (953) wins the Paris-Dakar.[1]
- 1985 — Three 959s run the Paris-Dakar with 911 engines (the 400 PS biturbo was not ready); none finish.[1]
- 1986 — 959s finish first and second in the Paris-Dakar; series production begins.[1],[2]
- 1988 — Production ends after 292 series cars. The 964 Carrera 4 brings a 959-derived all-wheel-drive system to the 911.[1],[3]
How many 959s were made?
| Model / variant | Years | Units | What the figure counts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 959 — Komfort and Sport | 1986–1988 | 292[2],[4] | total series productionPorsche's series figure; excludes prototypes and pre-series cars. 288 also circulates in non-Porsche sources. |
| 959 Komfort | 1986–1988 | 242[5] | per Gooding & Company's lot description |
More model-by-model totals: Porsche production numbers.
959 variants and engines
| Variant | Years | Engine | Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 959 (Komfort and Sport) | 1986–1988 | 2,849 cc twin-turbo flat-6 | 450 PS (336 kW)[1],[2],[5] | All-wheel drive; six-speed manual; 315 km/h. |
| 959 Paris-Dakar (1985) | 1985 | 911-based flat-6 | —[1] | Biturbo engine not ready in time. |
| 959 Paris-Dakar (1986) | 1986 | Biturbo flat-6 | 400 PS[1] | First and second overall. |
959 engine and drivetrain facts
- Twin-turbocharged flat-six with electronically controlled all-wheel drive and an active chassis.[2]
- With 450 PS it was the most powerful Porsche production model of its time, ahead of the 911 Turbo and 928.[1]
- Top speed 315 km/h (about 196 mph).[2]
- The 959's all-wheel-drive system was the basis for the 964 Carrera 4.[3]
What to check before you buy a 959
- 959s carry European-format VINs (for example WP0ZZZ95ZJS900131). For a car in the US, confirm that import and title paperwork match the chassis number.[5]
- Many 959s have been upgraded — the Gooding & Company car in the sales table below had Canepa modifications — so ask exactly what has been changed from factory specification.[5]
- Confirm Komfort vs Sport and the original color from Porsche's factory records; both affect value.
- Service and parts for the twin-turbo system and the all-wheel-drive hardware are specialist work; a full history file matters.
What does a 959 cost today?
New, the 959 cost DM 420,000. Today's prices depend on variant, color, mileage and any modifications. Two recent public sales:
| Date | Sale | Car | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 2023 | RM Sotheby's, Las Vegas | 1988 959 Komfort, Graphite Metallic (one of 31) | $1,765,000[6] |
| Mar. 2025 | Gooding & Company, Amelia Island (lot 133) | 1988 959 Komfort, ex-Brunei royal family, Canepa-upgraded, under 2,000 miles | $2,205,000[5] |
How to verify a 959's factory options
Because 959s carry European-format VINs, US VIN build data does not cover them. Porsche's own factory record — the Certificate of Authenticity, now the Production Specification — is the way to confirm a 959's original specification.
Confirm how a 959 left the factory.
Porsche 959s carry European-format VINs, which US VIN build data does not cover. Porsche's own factory record is the Certificate of Authenticity (Production Specification). The guide explains what it shows and how to order one.
Porsche 959 FAQ
How many Porsche 959s were made?
Porsche says 292 series-production 959s were built from 1986 to 1988. That figure excludes prototypes and pre-series cars, which is why other counts circulate.
How much did a Porsche 959 cost new?
DM 420,000 in Germany.
How much is a Porsche 959 worth today?
Recent public sales of 959 Komfort cars include $1,765,000 at RM Sotheby's Las Vegas in November 2023 and $2,205,000 at Gooding & Company's Amelia Island sale in 2025.
How fast is the Porsche 959?
Porsche quotes 450 PS and a 315 km/h (about 196 mph) top speed.
Was the 959 the first all-wheel-drive Porsche?
It was the first series-production Porsche with all-wheel drive. Its system was later adapted for the 964 Carrera 4.
Related Porsche history
Specs, production and buying research
Sources
Production counts, power outputs and dates on this page come from the sources below. Where sources disagree, the page says so or uses Porsche's own figure.
- How the 911 became all-wheel drive (911 Dakar press kit: the history) — Porsche Newsroom
- The super sportscars from Porsche — Porsche Newsroom
- The type 964: a new start with this 911 (part 3) — Porsche Newsroom
- Time travel: Porsche presents selected cars at Retro Classics — Porsche Newsroom
- 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort, Lot 133, Amelia Island Auctions 2025 — Gooding & Company
- 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort sells for over $1.7M at RM Sotheby's Las Vegas (Nov. 20, 2023) — Hypebeast (secondary reference)
Independent reference published by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Porsche, 911, Carrera, Targa and Boxster are trademarks of their owner.