In 1981, the thought of the Porsche 959 was conceived with a concerted intention to race in Group B rally racing, and Porsche set to work on its quest to fulfill homologation necessities by creating and producing no less than 200 road-going examples.

The primary idea automotive – initially dubbed the Gruppe B –  was unveiled on the 1983 Frankfurt Auto Present and showcased the very highest echelon of automotive applied sciences on the time. Options comparable to a driver-adjustable suspension and its cutting-edge Porsche-Steuer Kupplung (PSK) all-wheel-drive system, gave the automotive greater than ample arsenal to really feel proper at house within the rally championship.

The Porsche 959 prototype street automotive debuted 2 years later on the similar auto present, displayed in each a “Komfort” and extra track-oriented “Sport” trim. Nonetheless, quite a few manufacturing delays meant that Porsche would miss the reduce off date for homologation and would find yourself lacking the 1986 Group B season. Then, Group B was cancelled altogether later that 12 months and Porsche’s first buyer automobiles wouldn’t roll off the road till 1987.

Regardless of the plain set again, Porsche nonetheless managed to compete with the 959 and have a quick however significant run in motorsport. The prototype race automobiles entered the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally and managed first, second and fifth place finishes. In 1986 the 959 received its class and took house a powerful seventh place general distinction.

Whereas we will solely think about what it will have been like seeing the Porsche 959 partake in Group B racing, we do no less than get a style of what that may be like by way of the mightily spectacular street model that was the ensuing lovechild of this undertaking.

Picture Supply: RM Sotheby’s