One to Buy: ex-Brunei Royal Family Graphite Grey 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort
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Unlike Ferrari whose 288 GTO proved a lucrative creation that ultimately spawned a new line of flagship models, Porsche’s 959 ended up incurring huge costs that were never recovered and the state-of-art technology it employed had to gradually filter down to lesser models as no replacement emerged owing to intense financial pressure.
Despite its troubled gestation, the 959 was a technical marvel; it re-wrote the rulebook in terms of what could be expected from a super sports car capable of nearly 200mph offering hitherto unseen levels of both refinement and sophistication.
However, although the original 200 car production run required for Group B homologation was ultimately exceeded by nearly 50%, Porsche still lost a massive amount of money on every 959 sold and, thanks to a lack of interest from rival manufacturers, Group B circuit racing never really got off the ground.
While a number of VIP clients took delivery of 959s, Porsche’s best buyer was the Brunei Royal Family who purchased no less than twelve of the things.
Currently, one of these is on offer at the Legendary Motorcar Company showroom in Halton Hills, Ontario.
Ordered in Komfort trim, this particular 959 was configured in the highly desirable shade of Graphite Metallic, one of just 31 examples completed as such. It was dispatched to Brunei in July 1988 where it remained as part of the circa 2000 strong collection amassed by the Brunei Royals whose extended buying spree was funded by the country’s enormous offshore gas reserves.
Retained until 2004, the 959 was subsequently exported to the United States and, in 2006, was acquired by noted collector Ken Lingenfelter who commissioned Canepa to carry of a $220,000 recommission.
Today, this spectacular 959 in arguably the most desirable colour combination for one of these machines has covered just 1843 miles and is offered in exceptional condition throughout.
