One to Buy: ex-Brunei Royal Family Graphite Grey 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort
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.
Reprinted below is the Legendary Motorcar Company’s description:
Only 1,843 Miles From New
Originally Owned By The Sultan Of Brunei
Only Four Documented Collector Owners From New
1 Of Only 31 Delivered In VIP Graphite Metallic/W9
Dark Grey Metallic Leather Seats
1 Of Only 292 Production 959s Ever Produced For The World
Matching Numbers “M959/50” 2.85L Twin-Turbocharged Flat 6-Cylinder Engine
California Certificate of Conformance
Documented with Letter From The Sultan, Canepa Service Records, Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, Tool Kit And More
LMC is very proud to offer for sale this 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort
The Sultan of Brunei is well known by car enthusiasts to have one of the most incredible car collections in the world. Although there have been very few photos taken of the collection, he is rumored to have more than 2000 incredible cars including multiple Mclaren F1’s, many one-off custom Ferrari’s, Bentelys, Rolls Royces and much more. Very few cars have been sold from the collection and they are usually extremely low mileage and in impeccable condition.
When you have a collection full of the best supercars, a Porsche 959 is a must and the Sultan had a few of them. They redefined the sports car market in the late 1980s with its many technological advancements that have since become standard on most modern supercars.
In comparison to the Ferrari F40 and Lamborghini Countach, which were very raw, simple machines, the 959 had many electronic and mechanical improvements that made the 959 the most luxurious, reliable, and tractable. Alongside Lamborghini’s Countach and Ferrari’s F40 and 288 GTO, the 959 was not only a “poster car” for a generation of automotive enthusiasts, but also an ultimate low-production handbuilt collectible.
Powered by a flat-6 engine derived from the successful 962 race car, the 959 used water-cooled heads instead of air-cooling as the thermal limit could not accommodate the 444 HP output of the 959. Power was fed through a specially designed Borg Warner 6-speed transmission, which includes an extremely low "Gelände" gear for use in off-road situations, which the Type 961 rally car might have encountered. Porsche’s Porsche-Steur-Kupplung (PSK) system allowed the driver to vary the 370 lb-ft of torque between the rear and front axles, allowing up to 80% to the rear under hard acceleration, all managed electronically.
This 1988 Porsche 959 offered here for sale, was in the Sultans collection for over 20 years and has only accumulated a mere 1,843 miles from new. As per the Porsche COA, this 959 was completed in July,1998 and is one of only 31 examples ordered new in the VIP Graphite Metallic paint.
In 2004, it was sold from the Sultan’s collection to an astute private collector, who imported it into the USA. In 2006, it was sold to noted car collector Ken Lingenfelter. From there, it had a complete mechanical service by Canepa at the cost of $221,384.44. Mr. Lingenfelter would keep this very special car in his personal collection until 2015 before selling it to another noted private collection.
This California smog-legal 959 has been extremely well cared for and serviced extensively throughout its life time and is accompanied by a letter from the Sultan, owner’s manuals, tool kit, service receipts, Porsche COA and import documentation. The 959 is one of the most important and impressive supercars ever produced, and this one could possibly be the lowest-documented mile example.
