Porsche 959

While Ferrari and Lamborghini were jousting for the relatively straightforward accolade of world’s fastest car, Porsche head of research and development Helmuth Bott’s team of engineers were given free rein to pursue an enviably open-ended brief: to create the world’s most advanced—and capable—supercar. The 959 has long been renowned among privileged enthusiasts as an eminently usable vehicle, with many examples of the famous model now having covered relatively high mileage compared to other, less practical supercars of the era.
In every department, Porsche engineers deployed cutting-edge technology no matter the cost to unlock unparalleled levels of performance. It was Bott’s dedication to the ethos that electronics could enhance mechanical performance that ultimately led to such spectacular results. Looking past its incredible performance figures, the 959 introduced various features that would later become industry standards. Adjustable suspension, an “intelligent” four-wheel-drive system, lightweight Kevlar composite and aluminum body panels, and super-lightweight hollow-spoke magnesium wheels made it nothing short of a game-changer.
The 959 was lightyears ahead of its time, and its staggering performance capabilities were eclipsed only by its development costs—which nearly bankrupted Porsche. Despite a suggested retail price of 420,000 DM, the company still lost 50% of its costs on each of the 292 units sold. Most 959s were furnished in Komfort trim, which included standard seatbelts, air conditioning, cabin insulation, leather upholstery, and an adjustable suspension system.
959 NUMBER 121
Presented today having only recently emerged from a $60,000 regimen of mechanical servicing and cosmetic detailing furnished by some of America’s most highly regarded Porsche specialists, this exceptional 959 is a well-documented, well-maintained, and tastefully specified turnkey example with just four recorded owners since new.
As noted by its accompanying manuals and German fahrzeugbrief (vehicle registration document), this 959 Komfort example, number 121, was furnished directly by the factory to the Hamburg-based real estate investor Ursula Boemanns, and she promptly registered it as HH-JJ1792 on 14 June 1988. In addition to its direct factory sale designation, Ms. Boemanns specified her remarkable 959 in the stellar color combination of Guards Red (G1) over a special-order, interior-to-sample cabin fully trimmed in black leather and fitted with a pair of heated, electronically adjustable sport seats. The car remained under original ownership until 24 October 1990, when it was purchased by the noted collector Klaus Troche and registered in Lauf under his vanity plate LAU-KT959.
With Troche, 959 number 121 enjoyed a comfortable decade of meticulous servicing and regular enjoyment. By April 1997, he had added over 22,000 kilometers (13,670 miles) to the odometer, and on 26 May 2000 Troche sold this 959 to an Ohio-based collector. It was subsequently imported to the United States under an official show and display exemption.
In November 2008, the Porsche was acquired by Bill Fleischman of Los Angeles, and under his first four years of ownership it was treated to more than $130,000 in mechanical servicing by renowned Porsche specialists FVD Brombacher of Florida and Callas Rennsport in California. Between December 2011 and April 2012, Callas treated the car to a comprehensive engine-out service, which included a full fluid flush and cam-cover reseal, as well as fitment of new fuel lines, drive belts, suspension system hydro-accumulators, flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, and throw-out bearing.
In May 2019, the car was sent to Porsche South Bay of Hawthorne, California for a second engine-out service; the six-page invoice records an engine reseal, new oil lines, fresh engine electrical parts, new belts, and bleeding of the braking, clutch, and differential power transfer systems. Additionally, the car’s Guards Red paintwork was professionally touched up and detailed to a perfect luster while within the Fleischman collection’s care.
Under current ownership since May 2023, 959 number 121’s lavish life of meticulous care has continued with notable visits to renowned California shops, including Porsche 959 specialist Canepa and Fast Cars, Ltd. of Redondo Beach. Invoices on file from work completed under the car’s current ownership total just shy of $60,000.
While with Canepa, the car’s original, ultra-complicated hydraulic suspension system was swapped out for Canepa’s new $35,000 “959 SC” performance suspension upgrade, which includes custom-valved Penske shocks and manually adjustable titanium coilovers to reduce the car’s ride height and improve its handling dynamics while stripping away unnecessary weight and fickle period hydraulics. Furthermore, 959 Specialist Mike Crommett of Fast Cars, Ltd. provided a thorough inspection of 121’s entire sequential twin-turbocharger system, which resulted in the turbocharger cut-in valve being modified and rebuilt for optimal function.
This remarkable 959 is accompanied by a set of manuals, tools, service invoices, a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, federalization and import paperwork, its original suspension components, and a copy of its cancelled German fahrzeugbrief.
An undeniable classic supercar, one of the most desirable Porsche models, and icon of the 1980s, this 959 Komfort presents a rare opportunity to acquire an excellent, turnkey example of a significant model that offers thrills not only from its captivating looks but also its acclaimed handling and performance. Meticulously and lovingly maintained, it is a superb and well-documented example of this legendary model, and as such it is an outstanding target for any finely curated collection of important supercars.