Porsche's Group B Rally Raider
Though homologation rules prevented what began as a new and improved twin-turbo, all-wheel drive 911 concept from competing in its intended Group B class, Porsche continued development of the new model and renamed it the 959, with the ultimate goal of building the fastest, most technologically advanced Porsche road car ever.
This is one of just three examples built for the 1985 Paris-Dakar Rally, the model would serve as a 959-development prototype, representing Porsche in the most gruelling rally of all. These three cars were equipped with the naturally aspirated 3.2-litre Carrera engine, however were fitted with the suspension, modified four-wheel drive system, and body panels developed for the new 959.
It was driven in the 1985 Paris-Dakar by René Metge (winner of the Paris-Dakar in 1981, 1984 and 1986 in another Porsche 959) and Dominique Lemoyne. Of the 552 entries in the rally, just 146 completed the 14,000km race. Unfortunately, it retired due to oil line failure, while the other two 959s were involved in accidents. Though the car didn’t finish the race, it certainly served as a testbed for the three 959s entered by Porsche in the 1986 Paris-Dakar, which dominated the event, finishing 1st, 2nd, and 6th overall, proving the incredible potential of the model.
RM Sotheby's will be offering this 1985 Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar at their upcoming Porsche 70th Anniversary Sale on the 26th October. Its estimated value is between $3 - $3.4m. For more information on this and other vehicles at the sale, click on the link below. Photos: Robin Adams ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's.