1988 Porsche 959

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Extremely rare - special order and special wish example
Unique one-of-one configuration in black over a black leather interior
Upgraded to Porsche factory Stage II with 542 horsepower, 438 lb-ft torque
6,550 original miles (10,541 kilometers) – Recent major Canepa service
Matching numbers per Porsche Certificate of Authenticity
Records, receipts, and documentation from new

The Porsche 959, a defining automotive achievement that once again confirmed that Porsche was leading the technological advance of the automobile. Spearheaded by Peter Schutz, Porsche’s new president that took the reins in 1980, heavily favored the development of the beloved 911 platform. Porsche’s 959 saw its roots coming from the all-wheel drive 911 that was revealed at the 1981 Frankfurt Motor show. In 1983 the twin-turbo Gruppe B concept, destined to participate in the short-lived Group B FIA racing class, was revealed.

Built on a heavily-modified steel tub that was taken from the Porsche 930, its similarities to other street 911s ended there. Lightweight composite panels composed of Kevlar were employed along with aluminum hood and doors for lightness. Extensive wind tunnel testing yielded bodywork that was “zero lift”, high downforce, and for optimal cooling. Ground-breaking designs such as ride adjustments from inside the cockpit, computer-controlled ABS system, cross-drilled brake discs, and run-flat tires were all standard. The race-derived hybrid cooled engine used water-cooled heads but air-cooled cylinders, skirting the jagged edge of historic lineage and cutting-edge technology. This allowed the engine to produced 450 horsepower, propel the car to 197 miles an hour, and provide what seemed like unlimited grip from its electronically controlled all-wheel drive system.

Exact production numbers have always proven to be difficult to source, however the commonality across the board shows that around 250 Komfort models were produced, with a total of around 340 Porsche 959s produced. Initial orders were in the realm of $300,000, however the Porsche 959 was a losing proposition for Porsche (at least monetarily) as every car was rumored to cost more than double to produce, and almost bankrupt Porsche. This translated into what amounted to be a deal of the century for anyone able to purchase a Porsche 959.

Any Porsche 959 can be considered a unique and special machine, engineered to the maximum level of what was attainable by Porsche. There are few that stand out among the rest, a rare spectacle, but this black-over-black 959 does this without effort. Underneath the hood remains the factory option code sticker, but instead of 3-digit option codes, there are three 5-digit codes. These codes help illustrate its uniqueness and rarity among even what is arguably a small batch of cars ever built. It was built new by special order for Porsche client Tobias Hagenmeyer, who’s family founded the world famous GETRAG gearbox company of which he was president at the time. These three option codes were only recently shed light on by the Porsche Client Services department, nodding to that this 959 was a complete “Special Order/Special Wishes” example. It was optioned with the following:

Special color to sample exterior in black
Special color to sample interior in black
Special carpeting to sample in black
Sport Seats Left and Right in Solid Colors
Electrically Operated Seats Left and Right
Special Bridgestone Tires
Vehicle to Domestic German Road-Rule Specifications
Factory Direct Delivery with Road Registration

Interestingly, the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity does not include any options beyond the equipment for Germany and Bridgestone tires. Research done by prior parties yielded answers from Porsche Client Services that the 5-digit codes are indeed linked to the 959’s special wishes and current configuration. With Porsche records stating only 4 cars were ever painted with black exteriors, but this is the only example with the stunning combination of a black interior.

Building of Hagenmeyer 959 took place in the Fall of 1988, assembled by Baur. To this day, the 959 retains its matching numbers engine and transmission per the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity. The car was delivered on October 28th, 1988 per the original warranty booklet with matching under hood sticker. To add even more prestige to this special 959, it sports a very rare occurrence: an almost full-service warranty booklet. The car was serviced no less than 13 individual times between 1988 and 2013 at Porsche’s Client Services in Stuttgart, supporting the documented low mileage of this rare 959.

In 2012, after 24 years of trouble-free enjoyment, this 959’s front bumper cover sustained minor issues and required it to be replaced. The necessary repairs were taken care of at Porsche Client Services under the supervision of Jan Heilman. At the same time, it was decided that the 959 would be fully updated to Porsche Factory Stage II. Including removing the entire drivetrain and being completely overhauled, a variety of improvements including smaller and faster spooling turbos, more efficient intercoolers, a remapped ECU and a plethora of other items were added. After the completion of the repairs and Stage II upgrades, Porsche placed this 959 on a dyno to determine the final power numbers and they did not disappoint: 542.5 horsepower and 438 lb-ft of torque, an impressive increase over the standard 450 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.

In April of 2013, after the long list of upgrades and repairs were made by the Porsche factory, the Hagenmeyer 959 was purchased by Philip Radziwill, a prominent businessman and classic car collection from Monaco.

After arrival in Monaco, Radziwill decided that the paint on the front bumper was not an exact match. He shipped the car to paint specialists, Ross Packard Paintwork of New Milton, Hants, UK. The work performed was so far above the standards of the 1980s, with the quality at such a level that it has on several occasions fooled even the most knowledgeable experts who after inspections believed that it was never painted. The 959’s paintwork was completed in January of 2016, and was then sold to an American collector in California who had the car join his fantastic collection of Porsches, Ferraris, and other marques. The most recent owner acquired this car in 2018, putting very few miles on the car since his ownership. During this time he sent the car to Canepa in late 2019 for a complete service, which included: engine oil and filter change, engine coolant flush, transaxle and front differential fluid change, brake bleed, adjustment of the hydraulic clutch, replacement of fuel pumps and replaced old hoses, and the evacuation and recharge of the A/C system which totaled $12,316.47.

Approximately a year later the black 959 returned to Canepa, and the reaction is the same as whenever a black 959 arrives at the Canepa facility: awe. A factory-original black 959 is such a rarity in a sea of silver, red, and white that such a sinister color combination like this only adds to its prestige. The fit and finish of the car throughout is second to none, and in a condition that reflects as if the car has a quarter of the miles that it does now, 6,550 (10,541 kilometers).

Extremely low production, a timeless factory design, paired with the time-capsule quality of this example, it was the perfect combination of elements that make it a “Canepa car.” Each and every collector car that comes to Canepa is put through and extensive and diligent process called the “Canepa Difference.” This includes a major and comprehensive mechanical inspection where all systems are checked and serviced as necessary. They also receive an award-winning concours-level detailing, a thorough cleaning of each and every surface that ensures that every car is a sight to behold. Finishing off with a foam-pad-only polish to enhance the paint finish, each and every car is a perfect example and a personification of Bruce Canepa’s impeccable attention to detail.

Canepa has been involved with the Porsche 959 platform for over 33 years, with Bruce Canepa driving the first 959 on American soil in 1987. Canepa helped pass the Show or Display law in order to allow the importation of these amazing supercars into the country and allow them to drive on US roads. For 20 years Canepa has also been modifying and improving the 959 platform through countless hours of testing, miles, and ingenuity.

Included with this car are its original owner’s manuals, warranty booklet with service records, Porsche Client Service receipts for the Porsche Factory Stage II upgrades, Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, tools, jack and safety kit, tire inflation kit and tire gauge, and its first aid kit.

The Porsche 959 is an era-defining supercar, through and through. Many modern advances in modern automobiles can trace their roots back to the technological tour-de-force that the 959 proved to be, all because Peter Schutz believed in the 911 platform. Despite being a monetary loss, the 959 proved to once again define Porsche as the forward-thinking brand, a company with a rich history in engineering acumen and the passion to create the best driving cars, bar none. With this particular black-over-black 959 being one of the rarest specifications known to exist today, it is an opportunity for the next owner to secure a piece of actual automotive history. With impressive upgraded performance from the Porsche factory upgrade, a complete service history from new, and one of the most rewarding Porsche driving experiences, it is without a doubt one of the best decisions someone can make wanting to experience the original technological supercar.