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

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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“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.

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

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