Porsche has been organizing events all year round as part of its 70th anniversary celebrations. Recently, a special Porsche 959 Dakar Rally car was sold at RM Sotheby’s auction for no less than $5.94 million.
If one knows even a little about supercars from the 20th century, they would’ve definitely heard about the 959 and its celebrated status. But, while the road-going supercar is what everyone remembers, few would know that the 959 actually started its life as a Group B rally car. Porsche only produced seven examples of the rugged, high-riding racer of which only 5 exist today.
The car which recently went under the hammer was part of a private collection. It was retired from racing due to an unfortunate oil-line failure. Former owner Jacky Ickx piloted the car at the Goodwood Hill Climb. It even earned a Best-in-Class honor at Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and Quail Motorsports Gathering events during Monterey Car Week.
With such a special history, this 959 rally car wearing the original Rothmans livery was expected to go for $3.4 million at the sale. But, as you just read, it went for much higher, rightly deserved price.
The RM Sotheby’s 70th anniversary Porsche auction held at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta, Georgia also saw a restomod 993 Turbo dubbed ‘Project Gold’ selling for a whopping $3.1 million last week.