Porsche 959

The vehicle in detail

Rolling off the Stuttgart production line on 6 November 1987, this Porsche 959 ‘Komfort’ sported Silver Metallic paintwork and a two-tone Cashmere Beige and Black leather interior. It is believed that the car was delivered new to racing driver Jürgen Lässig, winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1995 and runner-up at Le Mans in 1987. Having registered the car on 23 November 1987, he reportedly covered a few thousand kilometres in his new 959 before it was involved in an unfortunate autobahn accident sometime in 1988. Lässig decided to sell the car, and it was acquired by Porsche racer and master craftsman Karl-Heinz ‘Charlie’ Feustel.
Feustel ran a small, specialised workshop with two others in a quaint village to the east of Cologne. With a passion for performance machines, he set about creating something that had not been done before, as the 959 ‘Speedster’ was born. This was no rushed conversion, with the process requiring over 4,000 hours. According to a comprehensive February 1990 article published in Sports Car International Magazine, “the whole package…reflects the ideas and true German craftsmanship of three people who have a deep-seated interest in and love for fine cars”.
There was immense focus on the fit and finish, with the team making sure that all modifications were as refined as possible. The result spoke for itself, with the 959 ‘Speedster’ sporting glossy Grand Prix White paintwork and a blue leather interior. Feustel wanted to give the new owner multiple options, so the car came fitted with an electrically operated soft-top in addition to a removable hard top.
Displayed on the Auto Becker stand at the 1989 Frankfurt International Motor Show in September and then at the Essen Motor Show in December, the 959 ‘Speedster’ was available to buy, with Feustel asking approximately $1,200,000 to part ways with his masterpiece—a princely sum for 1989. Photographs of the ‘Speedster’ at both motor shows are available to view on file. Reportedly sold to a German collector from the 1990 exhibition, Dr Berg Klaus of Karben is listed as the owner in the replacement service book (available to view on file). Remaining in use throughout the turn of the century, the consigning owner acquired Feustel’s remarkable ‘Speedster’ in 2008.
The 959 presents wonderfully and still wears Grand Prix White paintwork over a striking blue leather interior. It is accompanied by its hard-top in a transport case, plus tonneau top, interchangeable ‘Speedster’ windscreen, spare door mirrors, and owner’s guides.
The opportunity to acquire this 1987 Porsche 959 ‘Speedster’ is not to be missed. As the sole example on the planet, it would certainly let the new custodian stand out from the crowd.