Unveiled as the Gruppe B concept at the 1983 Frankfurt auto show and subsequently as a production car in 1985, the Porsche 959 unequivocally redefined the supercar market at its very zenith—where there are no compromises in performance or limitations on cost. An engineering marvel more luxurious, reliable, and tractable than any competitor of its era, the 959 became a “poster car” for an entire generation of automotive enthusiasts.

While Ferrari and Lamborghini were jousting for the comparatively simple accolade of producing the world’s fastest car, a team of Porsche engineers headed by Helmuth Bott, so-called “spiritual father” of the 911, was given free rein with an enviably open-ended brief: To create the world’s most advanced and capable supercar. In every department, Porsche engineers applied cutting-edge technology, no matter the cost, to unlock unparalleled levels of performance. It was Bott’s dedication to the ethos that electronics could enhance mechanical performance that made the 959 so spectacular. Outrageously advanced for its time, it introduced numerous features that would become industry standards, boasting an adjustable suspension, intelligent four-wheel drive, lightweight bodywork of Kevlar composite and aluminum, and super-light hollow-spoke magnesium wheels. Any one of these would have been a notable technical achievement on its own, let alone incorporating all of them—and more—into such a well-rounded package.

The 959 was light-years ahead of its time, and its staggering performance capabilities were eclipsed only by its development costs, which nearly bankrupted Porsche. Despite a manufacturer suggested retail price of 420,000 DM (~$300,000 USD), the company still reportedly lost 50 percent of its costs on each of the 292 units sold. Thankfully, Porsche survived.

But time marches onward, ever threatening the mystique of the technological tour de force that is the 959; at least, that is, a normal 959.

The car offered here is anything but normal.

THE 959 SC REIMAGINED BY CANEPA

Bruce Canepa is undoubtedly among the world’s most legendary Porsche specialists. His company’s familiarity with the 959 is unmatched within North America, and he was fortunate to be one of those lucky enough to have experienced firsthand a Porsche 959 in 1987.

Hearing of his expertise, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen purchased a 959 from Canepa in 1987; shortly afterward, having experienced Allen’s car, Bill Gates acquired one via Canepa as well. The 959 was not originally available for the US market, but Canepa was famously instrumental in the passing of the “Show or Display” exemption rule, the federal legislation that allowed these highly sought-after vehicles to be driven in the US for the first time in 1999. The first challenge was to meet federal and state emissions standards, ultimately creating a 580-horsepower, emissions-legal engine with Canepa's “Gen 1” upgrade.

Continued driving experiences with the model over the next 20 years led Bruce to evaluate and pinpoint every aspect of the 959 that could be improved. These observations turned into two decades of continuous research and development, thousands of real-world miles driven, and many stages of refining product prototypes. From the arduous work, Canepa would unveil a series of performance upgrades for fitment to any standard Porsche 959. Another two generations of successive upgrades were surpassed with the debut of Canepa’s 959 SC program in 2015, which endeavored to entirely recommission and reengineer the model to outperform anything that could have been offered by the Porsche factory.

Whereas the original 959 left the factory with 444 horsepower from its 2.85-liter sequential-turbo flat-six, the 959 SC Reimagined by Canepa uses upgraded BorgWarner turbos (with internal wastegate) in a parallel twin-turbo system and new engine management based around MoTec hardware to nearly double that figure to 825 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque.

Standard 959 engine internals give way to forged pistons, Pankl titanium connecting rods, and other upgraded componentry. The camshafts have been revised to offer improved low-end torque and mid-range power, and the valve train has been entirely redesigned for better responses. Individual coil packs supplant the original ignition distributor, while completely revised intake systems, equal-length, tungsten-ceramic-coated exhaust headers, and a two-stage exhaust system of stainless steel and titanium give the new engine sufficient bark to match its bite.

As for the suspension, by upgrading the original 959 Sport coilover system with custom valved shocks from Penske and titanium springs, the 959 SC’s handling is greatly improved at all speeds, along with the ride quality on all types of surfaces. Canepa also produced new cast-magnesium 18-inch hollow-spoke wheels that take full advantage of the latest advancements in production and materials technology while staying true to Porsche’s original 959 design.

More than 4,000 hours go into each build and over 3,000 individual pieces get restored, rebuilt, or upgraded. Nothing is left unchecked or untouched on every 959 that Canepa reimagines; they are completely disassembled, and entirely rebuilt as better-than-new machines. Color combinations and final touches are tailor-made to each client’s specifications in close collaboration with Bruce Canepa. Those fortunate enough to secure a 959 SC order slot can choose from over 200 Porsche factory and “paint-to-sample” colors. Each example is one of one, with production set at just 50 in total.

959 SC 003

This 1988 Porsche 959 began its life as one of the 207 “Komfort” models produced. Originally finished in Silver Metallic over standard gray leather, it was delivered new to Monte Carlo. Having subsequently been sold to Japan and displayed within a private museum in Tokyo, it remained there until it was imported to the United States in September 2016. A highly original example then showing fewer than 38,500 kilometers (~23,923 miles), it was discreetly offered to one of Canepa’s clients as “003,” and then completely disassembled to begin its comprehensive transformation.

Equal parts mechanical marvel and visual masterpiece, 003 is the sole 959 SC that will wear this marvelous shade of paint-to-sample Emerald Green. The interior is beautifully finished in plush Dark Green leather, while the 18-inch wheels feature Canepa’s proprietary graphite finish that mirrors the look of oxidized magnesium, a handsome and subtle nod to the Porsche racecars in which the original client contests several professional racing series. Of course, everything about the 959 SC is designed to look the part of factory work, and the revisions would largely appear to be OEM to all but the most discerning, well-informed Porsche enthusiast.

Besides being exhibited while under Canepa’s care, 003 has been very well received in the Porsche community at several major events, including Luftgekühlt 4 in 2017, Rennsport Reunion VI in 2018, and the 2022 Velocity Invitational. Serviced as needed, approximately 18 months ago the car benefited from a stated $172,000 in upgrades to bring it up to the most current 959 SC specification.

In December 2024, 003 returned to Canepa for an engine-out service and other work totaling nearly $70,000, invoices for which are on file. This included refurbishing the engine with new gaskets for the valve train and camshaft assemblies, installing new oxygen sensors, ignition coils, and hydraulic valve lifters, stripping and repainting the valve covers, draining and replacing all fluids, resealing the center and rear transaxle housings, performing an alignment and adjusting camber, caster, and toe, refurbishing the power-steering pump, balancing the tires, replacing the hood strut and heatshield mounting studs, refurbishing the air-conditioning system with an upgraded evaporator assembly and various other new components, and fully detailing the entire vehicle.

As amazing as the original 959 is, the Porsche 959 SC Reimagined by Canepa is—thanks to many years of product development and 4,000 hours of recommissioning—even more exceptional.