Chassis Number: WP0ZZZ93ZFS010015
Despite the enormous success of its production-based race cars throughout its history, Porsche rarely developed such models as official factory entries, preferring instead to support them in the hands of privateer customers. One of the notable exceptions occurred in the mid-1980s with the advent of one of Stuttgart’s most celebrated and advanced models, the 959.
Longtime Porsche driver Jacky Ickx clarified his interest in developing a 959-based entrant in the Paris-Dakar Rally. Ickx was already driving Porsche 956 examples to great success for the Rothmans team, and Porsche welcomed his ability to bring sponsorship and corresponding development funding, an attractive combination of factors for the 959’s evolution.
Under the Rothmans banner, Ickx fielded a Porsche team of three cars at the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally. To the great surprise of the entire field, René Metge and Dominique Lemoyne drove their car to outright victory, while Ickx and Claude Brasseur claimed 6th, and the third car finished in 17th place. Incredibly, all three cars completed the grueling 7,500-mile race.
For the 1985 running of the Dakar Rally, Porsche unveiled three of the first purpose-built 959 examples, employing a new chassis and coachwork in the style of the Gruppe B concept.
This featured car, chassis 010015, was one of these three entries. To satisfy homologation requirements, these 959 test mules were developed from 911 SC chassis and then substantially modified to 959 specifications. Incorporating the naturally aspirated 3.2-liter Carrera engine, all three cars were fitted with a new heavy-duty suspension and electronic four-wheel drive.
This historically significant developmental example of the 959 claims important competition provenance and long-term private ownership. This incredible piece of Porsche development history is one of only two 959 rally cars in private hands.
