We could call this a “one-of-a-kind” Porsche 959, as while there are many drop-top 959 replicas around the world, none of them are original.
No, this particular example didn’t left the factory with its roof chopped off, as its “al fresco” body is the result of a “conversion” after a mean accident. Even so, the important thing is that this stunning machine is original. Well, from the waist down, at least.
As the story goes, the vehicle was delivered to a Jürgen Lässig – a German racing driver – but shortly after driving it away from the factory, he had a nasty collision on the Autobahn at roughly 225 Km/h (140 mph). Now, it’s reported that another car (an Opel or an Audi 80) caused the 959 to take evasive maneuvers, and ended up on its roof.
Considered a totaled vehicle after the ordeal, the car was sold to a car collector who commissioned Feustel (or Auto Becker) to deliver a 959 Speedster using 911 Cabriolet bits and pieces, and the original roof as a hardtop.
Remaining completely stock from the roof down, the vehicle is powered by the same 2.9-litre, twin-turbocharged flat-six, capable of pushing the car from 0 to 100 Km/h in 3.7 seconds and to a top speed 319 Km/h (198 mph)
The car has been in an Italian collection ever since, and although it popped up for sale many times, it apparently still resides there. It’s is currently offered for sale for an undisclosed amount, but judging from its former price tags, it should be no less than $500,000.
The 959 was Porsche’s halo, state-of-the-art supercar, back in the late 80s. It was created as a homologation special for Group B rally racing, but sadly, the series was cancelled before the 959 had the chance to compete. Nevertheless, the model proved itself on the road, holding the fastest street-legal production car record for one year.
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