Porsche Road & Race

Your favourite online journal covering Porsche's rich motorsport heritage

  • Motorsport
    • WEC
    • Supercup
    • Carrera Cup
    • Imsa Weathertech Sportscar Championship
    • Intercontinental GT Challenge
    • Other Motorsport
    • Fact Files
      • Current Race Cars
      • Racing Drivers
        • Current Racing Drivers
        • Past Racing Drivers
      • Team Personnel
  • Yesteryear
    • Motorsport
    • Race Cars
    • Road Cars
    • Profiles
    • Other
  • Road Cars
    • 911
    • 718 Cayman
    • 718 Boxster
  • My Porsche
    • My Story
    • Pic of the Week
  • News
    • Porsche News
    • Porsche Museum News
    • Around the World
    • Auction News
    • Other News
  • Videos
  • Books
    • Book Reviews
    • SPECIAL BOOK OFFERS
  • Calendar
  • About us
    • Contributors
      • Glen Smale – Editor
      • Elke Smale
      • Martin Raffauf
      • Kieron Fennelly
      • Lucian Sonea
      • Kevin Ehrlich
      • Andrew Hosking
      • Richard Wiley
    • What We Do
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Basket
You are here: Home / News / Auction News / 959 Paris-Dakar outstrips pre-sale estimate at RM Sotheby’s Porsche Sale

959 Paris-Dakar outstrips pre-sale estimate at RM Sotheby’s Porsche Sale

30th October 2018 by: Glen Smale | Leave a Comment

1985 Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar
1985 Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar – chassis #WP0ZZZ93ZFS010015 (courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)

Lot #196, the 1985 Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar, outstripped its pre-sale estimate at RM Sotheby’s Porsche 70th Anniversary Auction at the Porsche Experience Centre Atlanta. With a pre-sale estimate of between $3.0m-3.4m, the 959 sold for a final $5,945,000, almost doubling its estimate. This was just one of the vehicles at the sale that handsomely exceeded expectations, helping RM Sotheby’s generate a sale total of $25.8 million with a 92 percent sell-through rate. But then, it was the Porsche 70th Anniversary Auction at the Porsche Experience Centre Atlanta, all of which helped charge the sale room atmosphere.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Prototype
1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Prototype – chassis #9113600012 (courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)

The Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar, the very first example ever offered at auction, was one of just three built to contest the 1985 Paris-Dakar Rally as a works entry, being one of seven developmental cars, four of which are retained by Porsche. Chassis #010015 was piloted by three-time Paris-Dakar winner René Metge, representing Porsche in one of the most gruelling rallies of all time. While this vehicle was expected to create some excitement, a sustained competition between several bidders in the room and on the phone, the 959 was eventually sold for an eye-watering $5.9-million.

Advertisements
Porsche G-Model
1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring
1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring – chassis #9113600463 (courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)

Additional highlights included the 1958 Porsche 356 A 1600 ‘Super’ Speedster, which, after having been in storage since 1983, was recently returned to driving condition making an ideal restoration project for its lucky new owner. Complete with its original matching-numbers drivetrain and desirable 1600 ‘Super’ engine, the wonderfully distressed Speedster was offered without reserve, doubling its high estimate (est. $125k/150k) to bring a final $307,500 after tremendous interest. Perhaps two surprise cars that did not reach their reserve were the 1983 Porsche chassis 956-110 which was the subject of much pre-sale promotion, and the 1975 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.0 – both cars having significant period racing history (see our earlier sale preview). These two cars, as well as just a handful of others, remain unsold – for further information you can contact RM Sotheby’s.

Advertisements
1958 Porsche 356 A 1600 ‘Super’ Speedster
1958 Porsche 356 A 1600 ‘Super’ Speedster – chassis #83799 (courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)

In one of the most anticipated moments of the auction, the 2018 Porsche 911 Turbo Classic Series ‘Project Gold’ came under the hammer, generating significant interest on the phones and in the room. A tense ten-minute bidding contest ensued, with no less than nine bidders in the room and on the phone, with the car eventually selling for an incredible $3,415,000 to an onsite bidder. Project Gold is the final air-cooled 911 Turbo, built 20 years after the cessation of 993 production. This incredible undertaking began at the Porsche factory 18 months ago with an existing genuine Type 993 body shell. The Porsche Classic department was able to draw from a stash of over 6500 parts, assembling this ‘new’ 993 Turbo S at the Porsche Classic restoration workshop near Stuttgart. An exciting car with a worthy cause, the proceeds from the sale of Project Gold will benefit the Ferry Porsche foundation. This foundation is intended primarily to support projects in connection with education and social issues, while also playing an active role in youth development.

2018 Porsche 911 Turbo Classic Series ‘Project Gold’
2018 Porsche 911 Turbo Classic Series ‘Project Gold’ – Series #001/001 (courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)

After months of preparation and cooperation with Porsche Cars North America, many like-minded enthusiasts, clients and collectors from all over the world made the journey to celebrate the marque’s 70th Anniversary at the impressive Porsche Experience Centre. And they weren’t disappointed, as the whole weekend was a spectacle in its own right.

Advertisements
Porsche - The Carrera Dynasty
1980 Porsche 935 K4 - chassis #935-K4-02
1980 Porsche 935 K4 – chassis #935-K4-02 (courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)
1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight
1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight – chassis #9113601580 (courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)

“The overwhelmingly positive response to the cars offered was characterised by a pool of global bidders that helped achieve outstanding prices for many models and numerous exciting moments throughout the auction. The Porsche market continues to establish its own baseline as we witnessed new Porsche enthusiasts join seasoned collectors to take part in bidding on rare and unique examples consigned to our first single-marque Porsche auction,” said veteran Car Specialist and Auction Manager, Alexander Weaver, following the sale.

1985 Porsche 959 Prototype
1985 Porsche 959 Prototype – chassis #WP0ZZZ93ZFS010007 (courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)

If you weren’t able to make it to the Porsche Experience Centre Atlanta for the weekend, we have assembled the top ten sales from the RM Sotheby’s Porsche 70th Anniversary Auction

Lot No. Vehicle Chassis Price
196 1985 Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar #WP0ZZZ93ZFS010015 $5,945,000
220 2018 Porsche 911 Turbo Classic Series ‘Project Gold’ Series #001/001 $3,415,000
185 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder #WP0CA2A18FS800796 $1,407,500
205 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Prototype #9113600012 $1,325,000
175 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight #9113601580 $1,022,500
1996 Porsche 911 GT2 – chassis #WP0ZZZ99ZTS393096 (courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)
2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 – Serial #009/600 (courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)
Lot No. Vehicle Chassis Price
191 Porsche 959 Prototype #WP0ZZZ93ZFS010007 $1,000,000
178 1980 Porsche 935 K4 #935-K4-02 $885,000
192 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring #9113600463 $698,000
217 1996 Porsche 911 GT2 #WP0ZZZ99ZTS393096 $643,000
183 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 Serial #009/600 $566,000
2015 Porsche 918 Spyder
2015 Porsche 918 Spyder – chassis #WP0CA2A18FS800796 (courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)

For anyone looking to speak with an RM Sotheby’s specialist for further information about the sale, they should contact:

Alexander Weaver
Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s
Culver City, California
+1 310 559 4575

Edited by: Glen Smale
Images by: Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s – copyright on each image

Save Article as PDF

OTHER ARTICLES YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN

Share this:

Categories: Auction News, Featured, News Tags: 356, 911 Carrera RS, 935, 959, 993, Carrera RS, GT2, GT3, Paris-Dakar, Porsche, Porsche Experience Centre Atlanta, RM Sotheby’s, Spyder, Turbo, Turbo S

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

E-mail Subscription

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE and be the first to receive new articles directly into your inbox:

Archives

Connect with us

  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Book Reviews

Don’t Wash Mine

I have been looking forward to seeing this new book from Dalton Watson, covering the very colourful

Porsche 911 G-Model: The Book 1974-1989

Hot off the press, so to speak, is Berlin Motor Books’ latest offering covering the 911 G-Model, and

50 Years Porsche 914

Whether you love it or hate it, the 914 served as a very important family member in the Porsche

More Book Reviews ››

Our Other Websites

Virtual Motorpix new website icon
Virtual Motorpix blog link with new logo

OTHER ARTICLES YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN

Join us on Facebook

Join us on Facebook

Disclaimer

Porsche Road & Race is entirely independent and is in no way connected with the company Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche AG or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries. Please also read our full Disclaimer.

Follow us on Twitter

Tweets by Porsche Road & Race

Contact us

We welcome your questions, comments and feedback. Please click here to contact us.

OTHER ARTICLES YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN

Advertising

Please contact us if you would like to discuss advertising opportunities on Porsche Road & Race.

OTHER ARTICLES YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN

Connect with us

  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Please share our website

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Copyright © 2021 Porsche Road & Race