1988 Porsche 959

The 959 is already regarded as one of the ultimate “Supercars” ever produced and made available to the public. With only about 250 having been built, they are assured of their place in motoring history.

First created in 1983 for the now abandoned Group B racing series, then entered in the Paris-Dakar off-road rally, which it won, the 959 was based upon the 911 Carrera, with a similar steel tub and same wheelbase, similar cockpit, but little else in common. The muscular bodywork was an all-new design intended to make maximum use of surface aerodynamics, with a rear wing incorporated into the external shape and a number of ducts and vents to allow controlled air through they body. Porsche managed to achieve an 0.31 drag coefficient with zero lift. Materials used include doors and front lid of magnesium alloy, a nose cap of polyurethane and the remainder a combination of a fiberglass/Kevlar composite.

The power comes from a highly developed version of...