One to Buy: ex-Jurgen Lassig / Karl-Heinz Feustel 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort 'Cabrio-Speedster'
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Although Porsche ultimately sold more than the 200 959s that would have been required for Group B homologation, the project ended up costing an exorbitant sum – rumoured to have been well into six figures on every unit sold.
With that in mind, an alternative body style to the Coupe format offered was likely never considered. However, set to go under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s sale on May 22nd in Milan is a tantalising example of what might have been: chassis ‘900142’.
Having emerged from Porsche’s Stuttgart factory on November 6th 1987, chassis ‘900142’ was originally configured to Komfort trim with Silver Metallic paint over a bi-colour Cashmere Beige and Black interior. The car was subsequently delivered to Jurgen Lassig who had successfully raced various Porsches throughout the 1970s and 80s.
Unfortunately, during 1988 Lassig’s 959 was involved in an autobahn crash, after which it was acquired by Cologne-based racer and workshop owner, Karl-Heinz Feustel.
Rather than simply repair chassis ‘900142’ to its original configuration, Feustel and his team elected to bring the car back to life as an open-bodied 959 that could be configured as a Cabriolet, a Hardtop Coupe or, once fitted with a cut-down windscreen also supplied, a Speedster.
Now refinished in Grand Prix White with Blue upholstery, the completed car made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1989 with a price tag of $1.2m. This was of course at the height of the late 80s price boom for high end classic and exotic motor cars and, in 1990, Feustal sold his heavily publicised creation to a German customer.
Today, this unusual and recently overhauled piece of aftermarket Porsche history is being offered with a little over 8000km on the odometer. It comes complete with Hardtop and Speedster screen along with carry cases for both.
