1987 Porsche 959 Komfort

Porsche stunned the automotive world when it unveiled its new “Gruppe B” at the 1983 Frankfurt Auto Show. The Porsche 959 is an all-wheel-drive, twin-turbocharged, homologation car that represented the pinnacle of Porsche’s technological know-how. Power output was factory rated at 444 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The 959 was the fastest production car in the world when new, with a zero-to-60 time of under four seconds and a top speed of 197mph. 337 examples were produced between 1986 and 1988.

The 2.85L M959/50 flat-six was based on the unit found in the 956 and 962 race cars and features water-cooled, four-valve cylinder heads as well as titanium connecting rods, forged alloy pistons, Nikasil-lined air-cooled cylinders, and sequential turbochargers. Featuring a pair of asymmetrical turbochargers, each of them intercooled, the engine delivered power almost seamlesly, with a small turbocharger spinning up almost from idle to establish low-end boost, while the second exhaust-driven turbine came into play at 4,500 rpm. At full throttle and maximum boost, the relatively small engine produces 450 horsepower at 6,500 rpm. Power is sent to all four wheels via six-speed manual transmission and a computer-controlled Porsche-Steuer Kupplung (PSK) system can route up to 80% of power to the rear wheels.

Most 959s were delivered as “Komfort” models, with a broad array of cockpit amenities, including full leather trim and air conditioning. A 1987 Porsche 959 'Komfort' typically commands prices exceeding $1.5m, with top examples selling for over $1.8m.