MODEL HISTORY

Conceived under the direction of Porsche chief engineer Helmuth Bott, the 959 began life as an attempt to explore the ultimate potential of the 911 platform while simultaneously creating a car capable of competing under the formidable Group B regulations. The resulting Gruppe B concept was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1983, introducing a shape that remained unmistakably Porsche while concealing an extraordinary concentration of new technology beneath its composite bodywork.

By the time the production 959 appeared at Frankfurt in 1985, the project had developed far beyond a conventional homologation exercise. Its 2.85-litre flat-six combined air-cooled cylinders with water-cooled four-valve heads and two sequential turbochargers, while an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system continually varied the distribution of power between the axles. Adjustable suspension, anti-lock brakes, hollow-spoke magnesium wheels and tyre-pressure monitoring placed the 959 years ahead of almost every contemporary road car.

Competition provided the ultimate proving ground. Porsche secured first and second place on the 1986 Paris–Dakar Rally, while the circuit-developed 961 became the first four-wheel-drive car to compete at Le Mans. The road-going 959 channelled that experience into a car capable of combining genuine long-distance refinement with performance that bordered on the unbelievable for the period.

With 450 PS and four-wheel-drive traction in standard specification, the 959 could reach 60mph in approximately 3.7 seconds and continue to 197mph, making it the fastest series-production car in the world at launch. Just 292 series-production examples were completed according to Porsche, establishing the 959 as one of the rarest and most technically significant road cars ever to leave Stuttgart.

Two principal versions were offered. The pared-back Sport placed greater emphasis on outright performance, while the Komfort retained the 959’s sophisticated adjustable suspension and luxuriously appointed cabin. It was this remarkable duality—near-200mph performance delivered with the usability and composure of a Porsche road car—that made the 959 such a defining engineering achievement.

Equipment

Left-Hand Drive, Wine Red Metallic, Bespoke Champagne and Burgundy Leather Interior, Fixed Carbon-Fibre Roof, 2.85-Litre Twin-Turbocharged Flat-Six, Stage II Turbo Upgrade, Six-Speed Manual Gearbox, Porsche PSK Computer-Controlled Four-Wheel Drive, Selectable Dry, Wet, Snow and Off-Road Drive Programs, Electronically Adjustable Ride Height and Damper Settings, Double-Wishbone Suspension, Anti-Lock Braking System, Ventilated and Cross-Drilled Disc Brakes, 17-Inch Hollow-Spoke Magnesium Wheels in Silver, Tyre-Pressure Monitoring System, Power-Assisted Steering, Air Conditioning, Electric Windows, Electric Mirrors, Central Locking, Green-Tinted Graduated Windscreen, Period Radio/Cassette, Leather Steering Wheel, VDO Instrumentation, UK Registration OJY 959.

EXTERIOR

Finished in special-order Wine Red Metallic (Weinrot), chassis 171 possesses a depth and richness quite unlike the more familiar silver, white and red finishes normally associated with the 959. The shade moves from deep burgundy to a brighter metallic claret as the light travels across the bodywork, beautifully emphasising the car’s flowing front wings, sculpted rear haunches and unmistakable integrated rear spoiler.

The colour is understood to be unique to this chassis when combined with its bespoke champagne and burgundy cabin, creating one of the most individual road-going 959 specifications produced. A fixed carbon-fibre roof replaces the commonly specified electric sunroof, preserving the purity of the roofline, while the absence of a rear-window wiper leaves the expansive rear screen notably clean and uncluttered.

Beneath the familiar 911-derived glasshouse lies a body of remarkable complexity. Aluminium was employed for the bonnet and doors, with lightweight composite materials used elsewhere to create the 959’s seamless shape. Carefully developed air intakes and outlets manage cooling and airflow around the car, while the broad rear bodywork and full-width spoiler provide a muscular conclusion to a design shaped as much by aerodynamic necessity as visual theatre.

Wearing its distinctive UK registration OJY 959, the car has become one of the most recognisable Porsche 959s in Britain. Its extraordinary specification is arresting without appearing ostentatious, allowing the intricacy and technical purpose of the original design to remain the focus.

INTERIOR

The interior is every bit as individual as the exterior, combining champagne and burgundy leather in a configuration understood to be exclusive to chassis 171. Deeply sculpted seats feature tan hide with perforated centres, complemented by burgundy carpets, upper dashboard and door tops. Carefully coordinated trim extends across the lower fascia, centre console and gear lever, giving the cabin a warmth and richness rarely found in a 959.

The familiar five-dial Porsche instrument layout sits ahead of a leather steering wheel, while the manual gear lever falls naturally within reach. Dedicated displays and discreet controls for the four-wheel-drive system and adjustable suspension offer a subtle reminder of the remarkable engineering beneath the surface, without overwhelming the straightforward driving environment.

Air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, central locking and period radio/cassette equipment complete the Komfort specification. Together with the supportive seats and bespoke leather treatment, they create an inviting cabin whose appeal extends well beyond its extraordinary performance, a particularly personal interpretation of Porsche’s flagship.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

Porsche’s 2,849cc flat-six brings serious motorsport pedigree to the road, combining air-cooled cylinders with water-cooled heads and engineering drawn from its celebrated endurance racers. This example benefits from a Stage II turbo upgrade, adding another dimension to an already formidable engine. In Porsche Classic specification, the conversion combines faster-spooling turbochargers, more efficient intercoolers and revised engine management for approximately 542bhp, with sharper response and less lag. For perspective, even the standard 444bhp car could reach 60mph in 3.7 seconds and continue to 197mph.

A six-speed manual gearbox keeps the driver firmly involved, while Porsche’s pioneering PSK four-wheel-drive system continually adjusts the torque distribution to suit the available grip. Selectable drive programs and the distinctive low ‘G’ terrain ratio hint at the original Group B ambitions, yet the Komfort’s appeal extends well beyond outright pace. Its light clutch and composed ride bring an unexpected ease to the experience, a car that feels reassuringly familiar until the turbos reveal just how much performance lies beneath that elegant bodywork.

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES

The silver 17-inch magnesium wheels are a signature detail of the 959, their distinctive hollow-spoke construction keeping weight down while an integrated tyre-pressure monitoring system hints at just how advanced this car was for its time. Their understated finish provides a pleasing contrast to the rich Wine Red bodywork.

Ventilated and cross-drilled discs are paired with four-piston aluminium callipers and ABS, providing braking performance to match the car’s considerable pace. Double-wishbone suspension and electronically adjustable ride height bring together high-speed stability and the supple ride that makes the Komfort such an appealing proposition on the road.

HISTORY FILE

Completed in 1988, chassis 171 is understood to have been commissioned for the legendary manager of Led Zeppelin, a committed collector of exceptional motor cars. Special-order Wine Red Metallic paint was paired with a bespoke tan and burgundy leather interior, a combination understood to be unique to this example. Even among the small number of 959s produced, this was a car with its own distinct personality.

It subsequently joined the collection of the celebrated British actor and comedian Rowan Atkinson, equally recognised among motoring enthusiasts for his discerning taste in exceptional performance cars. This chapter adds further distinction to the provenance of an already highly individual Porsche.

The current owner has cherished the car for 25 years, with a substantial collection of supporting invoices providing a detailed record of its care and maintenance. Such longstanding custodianship adds a personal dimension to the history, reflecting a relationship with the car that spans a quarter of a century.

During this ownership, OJY 959 was selected for a Classic & Sports Car feature at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone. Appearing alongside a Carrera RS 2.7 and 930 Turbo, it brought three generations of Porsche development together, earning praise for its sumptuous cabin, extraordinary acceleration and approachable nature. First published in December 2013, the feature was subsequently republished online, while a dedicated photographic profile in 2024 revisited the car’s distinctive specification and celebrated former owners.

Of equal importance is the car’s exceptional maintenance history. From new, chassis 171 has been cared for exclusively by Porsche Centre Reading, giving it an unbroken Official Porsche Centre service record with one of the marque’s most experienced UK facilities. Supported by a substantial collection of invoices, this remarkable continuity is especially significant for a car as technically complex as the 959 and adds considerable confidence to its already distinguished provenance.

Further strengthening the history file is an exceptional collection of original accompanying equipment. This includes the colour-matched factory leather tool roll with its model-specific hand tools, spare spark plugs and drive belts, together with the original jack, electric tyre compressor and warning triangle. Also present is the particularly rare colour-matched Porsche 959 engineering manual, a fascinating period record of the extraordinary technology beneath the car and an important finishing detail for such a carefully preserved example.

Now showing 34,865 miles, chassis 171 combines individual specification and notable provenance with the reassurance of longstanding ownership and extensive supporting paperwork. A defining supercar of the 1980s, with a particularly compelling story of its own.