Porsche 959

Price $227,000 (1987)

SPECIFICATONS:

Engine type: DOHC 24 valve flat-6 twin-turbo intercooled
Displacement: 2.8L (2800cc)
Power: 444 bhp
Torque: 369 lb.-ft.
Redline: 7300rpm
Transmission: 6 speed manual

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PERFORMANCE:

 0-60: 3.6sec
 0-100: 8.8sec
 0-150: 21.7sec
 1/4 mile: 12.0sec
 Top Speed: 195+ mph

   The Porsche 959 is named "the best sports car in the world". The McLaren F1, or Ruf CTR-2 are "the fastest cars in the world". Unveiled at the 1983 Frankfurt auto show as the Group B concept car, the 959 was concieved as the ultimate 911, a car so relenlessly rapid and so technically overpowering that it would provide a platform for world-class rally and road-racing efforts, as well as elevate the 911 to the top of the spots-car heap.
   When the production 959 finally appeared in 1987, it proved to be the fastest production car ever tested -by far. Pushing hard the accelerator, would bring 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. A mere 5.6 seconds later it was at 100 mph. The quater-mile flashed by in 12 seconds flat at 116 mph. And it would hit 140 mph in less than 20 seconds. It would be hard to argue that the 959 is clearly superior to the new Turbo S. Especially sice the new Turbo S costs some $200,000 less than the uncertified 959, which currently goes for about $350,000. Still, the 959's distinctive bodyworks, its amazing portfolio of exotic technology, and its historical significance ensure that it will be remembered as one of the gratest cars of all time. Besides, who remembers the second man to run a mile in less than four minutes?